NOVEMBER 2020: Maybe next year, NaNoWriMo

I decided to skip NaNoWriMo this year (National Novel Writing Month, for those unsure what the abbreviation means) after a lot of back and forth.

I really want to work on a new novel I’ve started and started again and then restarted (!) but, as most writers understand, life gets in the way.

I don’t resent life for giving me things to write about, I just wish there was more time to do all the things I’d like to do. More time and (thanks to MS) more functional brainspace.

But here’s the thing: November ended up being so crazy-busy that I would have probably quit after the first week anyway.

Aside from the usual writing tasks, there was a camping trip in there, which ate up some time. [Wait, let me rewrite that last part: which gave me three days of much-needed time away from home to reset my circadian rhythms and mental health. (Okay, much better!)]

Just a couple of days later, I had technical issues arising from a mismatch between updates from both Microsoft and Google. That was not fun and basically wiped out three workdays  while I migrated my entire Internet access (including data, bookmarks, etc) by hand (because the auto wouldn’t work) to a new browser. Fun times *\s.

There was also—ahem—an election. Nothing distracting about that *\s.

Of course, I’m super happy about the outcome! We celebrated at a neighbor’s, watching from the TV in their garage (socially distanced and masked, of course), though this overwhelmingly good news has been its own kind of distraction (a lovely one, for a change).

Let’s just say I’m already ready for the 2021 Women’s March (if there is one and it’s safe to attend). If not for the pandemic, it could be happening just days before the Biden/Harris Inauguration. (Wow, I feel so light and unburdened typing that.) I have black Chucks and pink pussy ears at the ready, though I’m not at all sure it will be a go.

Thanksgiving in 2020 was pleasantly forgettable, not in a bad way. It was a nice meal and a day to watch movies and play board games. I made the most amazing maple pecan scones! No, this year’s holiday was not the 10+ guests around the feasting table that it’s been for more than 20 years. Yes, it was less than a week ago and I literally almost forgot it happened. (Again, not complaining. Any day without major drama is a win, in my book.)

But perhaps the most exciting distraction of all this month was the early release of my new book, Intention Tremor.

I expected it wouldn’t come for a few more weeks and then it arrived on my doorstep and I had to get busy with all the things: the press releases, marketing plan, shipping envelopes, sales pages, information sheets, postcards, mailing labels, stickers and more.

I still feel like I’m officially in the soft launch, though I’ve already sold copies, including a few autograph requests. There’s more work to do here but the marketing plan is set to fall into place later this week after I hear back from the folks at the Accelerated Cure Project, who will benefit from my sales donations.

So NaNoWriMo will have to wait until next year—or, if I get my act together, maybe I will squeeze in a new writing schedule that’s only for my novel and do NaNoWriYear instead. I’m thinking about goals for 2021 and will get back to that again in late December.

Meanwhile, congratulations to those friends of mine who did attempt—and in some cases, conquer—NaNoWriMo 2020. What brave, intrepid souls you are!

TO THAT GUY WHO THINKS I DON’T WRITE ENOUGH…

…or, in case you’re interested, here’s what I did manage to eke out between time away from the keyboard and time spent on the keyboard rebuilding my virtual office.

November’s #AmWriting Report

This monthly reckoning includes all new work written over the previous month (dates reflect completion, not publication).

This includes paid work (live with links or still in the hopper), blog posts appearing here, and any new creative work I managed to sneak in.

I share links when available (some work is still waiting to be published). This provides me with a reminder that my writing life is rich and full and will let you know what I’m up to.

November 2020 #AmWriting Report

Total word count generated in November: 10,235

 

RHYMES WITH CAMERA POSTS

Total November word count—4,635

• NOV 4, 2020 || It’s time to honor the activists who motivate us
• NOV 6, 2020 || Want to write about chronic illness or disability? I can help!
• NOV 7, 2020 || My mind likes change. My body? Not so much.
• NOV 12, 2020 || Allow me to introduce you to my new book
• NOV 26, 2020 || So many to thank when you publish a book

 

SLEEP HEALTH ARTICLES

Total November word count—4,000

• NOV 4, 2020 || What to Look For When Seniors Have Restless Legs
• NOV 5, 2020 || Travels with CPAP: Making the best of the TSA line
• NOV 12, 2020 || Restless Legs and Attention Deficit in Adults and Kids
• NOV 25, 2020 || Update on Untreated Sleep Apnea and Its Links to Dementia
• NOV 30, 2020 || Your Whole Body Needs You to Treat Your Sleep Apnea

 

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ARTICLES

Total November word count—1,600

• NOV 4, 2020 || MS Good News Report: The Latest Research through October 2020
• NOV 10, 2020 || Disclosing MS On the Job: Why I Did, and Why I Didn’t

 

CREATIVE WRITING
(NEW WORK GENERATED)

Total November word count—0

• WOMP WOMP! Let’s see what December brings. I could really stand to submit more work, as well.

* \s is text shortcode for sarcasm