Writing Wednesday: NaNoWriMo 2013....

As I reported on Sunday, I have not done much writing lately ... but I have thought a lot about writing, does that count?  That is a rhetorical question because I know the answer is "NO"  Writers write.  Period.  And no excuse will fill that void.

But I do have two bits of writing news to share ... and writing news that I hope will propel me forward in developing a regular writing routine.

For quite some time I have thought that I need to be a part of a writing group.  While I am typically quite reserved and shy away from any kind of personal sharing, I know that in order to grow as a writer I must be willing to put myself out there... be vulnerable... and learn to accept constructive criticism.

I have conducted Google searches at least twice over the past several months, but without success.  On Sunday I tried again... and I thought I used the same search terminology... but somehow I stumbled upon HACWN --- Heartland of America Christian Writers' Network.  I reviewed the site and discovered that they meet on the first Thursday of the month at a location about ten minutes away from my house!  Coincidence?  I'm not sure...

I emailed two of the directors to see if this might be a good fit for me and both of them responded with supportive, encouraging comments.  So, I plan to attend the monthly meeting tomorrow (that is, if I can overcome my fear of walking into a room where I know no one...) and I might even be brave enough to participate in one of the many monthly critique groups.  I will be sure to report back next week to let you know how it goes.

The other writing news is that it is less than one month until November 1st which as many of you know is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).  The premise of this annual event is that fictional writers from all over the world gather together online and write 50,000 words in 30 days.  I participated for the first time in 2010 and I actually completed the goal, although I never finished the project.  I skipped 2011 and tried again in 2012 but unfortunately life took over and I only managed to write 8,500 words in the first week before I gave up.

For some reason this novel idea that I have had since 2011 refuses to leave my brain.  In fact, I have almost become obsessed with the concept.  I know the protagonist and antagonist; I have the introduction and the conclusion; I even have the structure in place that will allow me to "educate" as well as (hopefully) entertain.  What I am missing is a compelling conflict.  However... I think the time has come for me to get the story out of my head and onto paper.  Perhaps in writing the scenes... the conflict will present itself.  Perhaps not.  But I think this is the year to go forward with all I got.

I will use the month of October to continue to research the historical aspects of the novel (although a large part of that is complete and properly stored in Scrivener) as well as work on the ebook idea that I will not abandon, Finding Joy in the Moment:  Spiritual Lesson through Photography.  I am ready to be serious.  I am ready to take this next step.  And I am excited.