Ten Days Later

I find getting back into a routine after the slightest disturbance difficult. Organization is not my strength to begin with. Add an all-nighter, youth event, or even a simple weekend away and my already poorly organized life spinning out of control. I cannot begin to explain the havoc NaNoWriMo has on order and routine.

Therefore Post-November is all about recovery. Taking a break from writing and breaking bad habits. This was my third year participating and I developed new bad habits 1)drinking too much caffeine 2) eating out/fast food or only buying microwavable meals 3) clutter. That is the bad side of nanowrimo.

The good side: I’m ready to write again. Other than work related writing this is the first writing I’ve done since NaNoWriMo ended. But I am ready to start working on my story, more than that I want to work on it. This is the first time in my nano experience that I still liked my story idea post-event. My 2010 plan…actually edit “Across Eldamar.”

NaNo WINNER!

I did it! Now for a happy dance and than sleep.

December 14 the editing starts.

NaNoWriMo Song

While avoiding writing the conclusion I found this…there was a link on the nano home page.
The lyrics totally follow the emotional highs and lows of the past month, especially the plot holes, lack of a social life, and the huge amounts of consumed caffeine.

Lyrics:
Did you ever want to write a novel
A lot of people want to write a book
So sit down and focus cause it's November
and I'm gonna write a freaking book

Verse 1:
It's only sixteen-sixty seven words a day
given up your social life and stay indoors
and forget about your grades, your boyfriend, and your job
Do it later, 'cause now I need to write a thousand words

Hit twenty thousand words and I'm feeling awesome
Man I should make writing my career
My main characters have chemistry, my setting is believable
Think I'm going to win this year
Really think I'm going to win this year

Chorus
Verse 2:
I just passed thirty thousand words - I'm feeling pretty lowneed inspiration but I really just have none
I just realized I have plot holes and my writing really sucks
Can you remind me why I thought this would be fun
I powered through to forty and I'm nearing the end
I'm at the climax and this part is really radit's mixture of relief, perseverance. and caffeine
and just little touch of going mad
and just little touch of going mad

Bridge:
Wanna go see a movie?
I can't, I'm writing
There's this really sweet party
I can't, I'm writing
You've been in your room all day
Don't care, I'm writing
Girl this can't be healthy
Shhh. I'm writing.

Not There...Yet

But some of my friends are:

I still have 2,770 words to write before midnight.

Knit Day

After seeing the Advent Conspiracy video last year I made a personal commitment to make most of my Christmas presents this year. I've been knitting most of them. Some of the girls at Kidsworld saw what I was doing and asked if I could teach them to knit so today we had a knitting class.

Today was our "knit day" I taught some basics that would enable them to make a dish cloth. It was a lot of fun. I had one experienced knitter to help with the instructions, three adults and three younger girls all wanting to learn to knit. Everyone seemed to enjoyed it and some even asked if I would have a follow up knit day in January. The best line was:

“Rome wasn’t built in a day; neither was a dish cloth.”
–Knit Day Participant

On This Day

This year, I’ve been really nervous about the word count. I’ve felt behind the daily word count goals since the first weekend. At times I’ve been as much as 16,000 words behind. So today I did some comparing.

November 26, 2007 -45,116 words
November 26, 2008 -29,945 words
November 26, 2009 -36,822 words

My word count isn’t as great as my first year but it is definite better than last year. I feel hopeful about winning and I am just 13,178 words away from reaching the 50,000 with four more days to write.

Thought of the Week

My church sends out a weekly eBulletin that includes a thought of the week. It was my turn to wrote it so this is what I said:

Life doesn’t always go the way we expect or plan. We have all had moments when the world came crashing in around us or it felt like the darkness had taken over. For the past eight weeks we have been looking at choices that bring healing in these struggles. We’ve discovered the importance of friends and community. That God has created us for relationships and interaction with others. This is the idea and vision behind our church’s Life Groups, that people connect, share needs, and support each.

We need people but people also need us. God’s plan for showing the world his love is us, the body of Christ. We are to “be Jesus to a hurting world.” Not just the church as an organization but you and me as people. Today, right now, you know people in need. God cares about them and their needs. He wants to use you to be Jesus to them through action. He might be nudging you to give, to share, or to listen. Are you listening or are you too busy to notice?

During my five month internship in Swaziland, Africa I attempted to learn the siSwati. One of my language tutors told me that siSwati does not have a word for “busy.” He had explained that culturally there was no need because no one was ever “too busy” for another person. People and their needs are never considered an interruption but an opportunity to connect. People matter before everything else.

That is how I want to live, as if the word “busy” does not exist in my language. There are so many things that distract and keep me busy especially with Christmas approaching. I want to put people first, to make them a priority, and show them Christ’s love with my actions. Being Jesus in this hurting world is going to look different for each of us. It may mean putting off making house renovation in order to meet a neighbour’s financial need. It could mean missing the hockey game in order give your time to someone. It may mean giving up your plans to be there for a friend. It could be send a card, pick up the phone, or making a batch of cookies. It could be giving a hug or lending a shoulder to cry on. Or it might mean that you share your story and speak the truth of what Jesus has done in your life. Being Jesus will look different for each of us but it will all communicate love.

Today ask God to show you who you can be Jesus to and how you can meet their needs.
Pastor Liz

Writing, Radio, Video

I hate writing. Hates a strong word, I dislike writing. Writing brings up negative past emotions inadequate and failure. Over time, I’ve nurtured a habit of avoiding writing even when I need or want to. Then why am I participating in this insane monthly challenge known as NaNoWriMo? I like to tell stories and I enjoy sharing. Writing have become a great avenue for me communicate stories. I’ve even learned to enjoy it. I might even love it which sounds paradoxical to me. This love/hate relationship has really hurting my word count but I am back on track and NaNoVideo has helped:

I miss wrimoradio. It was my favourite way to procrastinate the previous two nano experiences. They were neat podcasts that included tips, songs, funny quotes, and sound bites from writers around the world. I miss wrimoradio but have accepted the new nanovideo.

Joyful Re-Finding

A few years ago I stumbled upon Liana’s Journal, where she would post beautiful colour outfits for a paper dolls she designed. Not as weird as it sounds. Only I found the site after she stopped updating it. I enjoyed the designs and creativity but was sad that there was nothing new. I even checked back a few times to see if she had added anything. It was always the same till I just stopped looking.

Then today when I was searching for something else I found her new paper doll project. The drawings are amazing! I love them. I also love all the different things that inspire her. There are outfits inspired by Dollhouse, Firefly, Battlestar Galatica, Twilight, Ponyo, and Harry Potter (all things I love/enjoy). There are 1800s dress and some with fairy and mermaid themes. Then there is a whole section of outfits designed from red carpet evetns, books, and her everyday life. I am so happy with my re-find. It is a good day.

Plus I’m at 27,124 words (only 22,876 to go in 8 days...it's possible, right?!)!

The dress you see is one of Liana's many designs. The dress based off of Goldberry’s initial description in the Fellowship of the Ring.