Camp NaNoWriMo Update

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Carol Burnside / Annie Rayburn

Okay, so earlier this month I blogged about Camp NaNoWriMo on PFHT and mentioned it here, despite the fact that I’d pretty much sworn off NaNoWriMo in its November format.

Then I discovered that Camp NaNoWriMo is a different animal entirely. First, instead of a pre-set goal of 50,000 words in a month, each participant sets their own goal for the Camp version.

Sweet! To try to get myself back on a daily writing schedule, I set a goal of 20,000 words for the month, which worked out to about 645 words a day. Two pages for me using TNR-12, so off I went, signed up, set up a tracking spreadsheet and started writing.

I’m not going to lie. Progress was slow at first and right off the bat I got behind because I was trying out a new writing program (more on that in a later post), but a fellow writer in the Arkansas chapter of RWA invited me to a writing retreat about two hours away. Just what I needed.

The first day was not so great. Granted, we only had the evening hours to write after getting checked in and I was a little rattled, having discovered while unpacking that in my haste to leave, I’d left my suitcase at home. Oops! Let’s just say that it’s a good thing I brought a few things on hangars and that few people saw me that week. Believe me when I say shopping in the backwoods of Arkansas is slim pickings. A fashion plate in Dollar General clothes, I was not.

There were four of us writing in a two bedroom condo. Lots of soft keyboard clicking going on and by the end of the week, I had over 10,000 words. For me, that’s phenomenal and half of my goal!

Back at home, my word count slowed because I don’t have eight hours a day to write. Dogs and garden and flower beds and the pool and a sweet hubby need care too. However, I’m  happy to report I’m still on track to meet my goal. I’m super-duper excited about that.

Have you set a goal lately? Did you reach it? Isn’t it a fabulous feeling of accomplishment?

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Ch-ch-ch changes and a mid-week #g1veaway

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Carol Burnside / Annie Rayburn

A sleepy SophieIn contemplating this post, I started drawing correlations between fast-paced writing and a puppy’s rapid changes.

I’m sure you can tell from past and present photos, but Sophie’s looks are rapidly changing.

Sophie’s changes aren’t all physical. Every day is a new revelation for her and for me. I discover personality traits and quirks. She discovers new things. A leaf! A stick!! Look, mom, a mushroom!!! Don’t worry, I saved her from the mushroom in the nick of time, just in case it wasn’t edible.

As time moved on, she discovered there are things above her head. She chases butterflies and looks quizzically at birds as if wondering when she’ll be able to do that whiz-through-the air thing. Ah, sorry Sophie. That will be one of life’s disappointments.

Sophie 7-20-13Over the months, Sophie’s coat will change too. Already her tail is showing signs of ‘flagging’, where the tail hair grows longer and flags out as it waves.  Only time will tell whether she’ll end up looking more like a Cocker Spaniel or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Right now, I’m betting on the Cocker side winning out.

While there are sweet puppy moments I’d prefer to savor a bit longer, nature demands growth and change. Without it, we die.

Now about that correlation…

Authors have a real challenge keeping the reader interested while unfolding the story in a meaningful way. The story cannot stagnate. The characters must change and show growth in their thinking and actions. Sometimes they have setbacks, but there should always be change. Their critical situation must progress, often getting worse or more complicated, sometimes better. In addition, the plot (what they’re doing) must be fluid and interesting or the reader will be bored. No inactive, ‘thinking about things’ scenes allowed!

All these changes must happen realistically, and continue from page one to the end. No easy feat, let me assure you. But that’s what we writers try to accomplish every day, from rough draft to reader-ready books for sale. The story must evolve or it loses the reader’s interest.

To celebrate change, I’m giving away one lucky commenter a copy of my short story, Insight, which gives new readers a sizzling taste of the Crainesian world I’ve created in a contemporary setting.

Want more chances to win? “Like” this post and get an additional entry! The winner will be announced in a separate post. Good luck!

Posted in Annie Rayburn, Carol Burnside, Everyday blather, Free Stuff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s a Mango Monday Morning

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Carol Burnside / Annie Rayburn

MangoI’ll bet you’re dying to know how one has a Mango Monday Morning. No? Well, I’ll tell you anyway ’cause this is my blog and it’s my subject. 🙂

1. Pop the top on a can of Mango Peach V8 Energy Light because it’s a great pick-me-up and starts your day with a serving of fruits/veggies.

2. Follow with a Pillsbury mango pineapple toaster strudel pastry, golden-brown and piping hot.

3. Continue your day by pouring yourself some Lipton Mango Pineapple Iced Green Tea.

No, I’m not endorsing products, nor am I doing a commercial. This truly was my morning. It wasn’t until the familiar taste profile of the cold tea hit my tongue that I realized it was truly a Mango Monday Morning and a nice one at that.

Check back mid-week for a giveaway announcement, but for now, I’m wishing you, my lovely readers, a magnificent mango morning too!

Posted in Annie Rayburn, Carol Burnside, Everyday blather, Good Wishes, Here at home, Monday Moments | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on It’s a Mango Monday Morning