Lucky again!

I'm still shocked over my winning Allie Boniface's new book, Lost in Paradise. Imagine my surprise when I realize I've won a copy of Cami Checkett's The Broken Path. Thanks, ladies! Now I know what I'll be doing this weekend...especially since I've finished writing Seaside Shimmy.

I love the feeling that comes with writing "The End"... because, believe me, I always allow myself the pleasure of writing those two words at the end of a first draft. It feels fabulous!

Thanks again, Cami and Allie! You've both made my week more special! :)

Numbers

Thinking numbers this morning. Not words, but numbers.

9,125 -- The number of words I've got written on my NaNo novel, Seaside Shimmy.

8 -- It's day number eight of National Novel Writing Month.

5 -- Snowdance is number five this morning on the Whiskey Creek Press Hot Titles list.

3 2/3 -- Number of months before my second novel, Vineyard Mambo, releases.

And the number of times I've felt my heart jump since I saw my name at the top of someone's NaNo profile Favorite Authors list? Countless. And, undoubtedly, I'll get countless more joyful moments from that one. Thank you, Vickie. :)

Must Be Nuts emerges

Yesterday afternoon I spent an hour or so on my NaNo novel, Seaside Shimmy. I've got the first chapter first-draft done and am ready to jump into chapter two. Just poking along, but I did work on Sandswept for a few hours and am closing in on writing "The End" on that one. Once Sandswept is put to bed I'll be able to really concentrate on the NaNo novel. I hope.

Anyhow, I got the chance to poke around the NaNo site--finally. Each year I forget how much fun it is, with its forums and lounges, author pages and the rest of it. I get such a kick out of seeing what others are writing. What they've written. I especially love the young NaNo-ers, the kids who attempt to devote themselves to writing during the November flurry. I silently cheer them on, hoping each and every one of them completes what they've started so they, too, can know the satisfaction that comes with telling a story.

I posted the first unedited bit of Seaside Shimmy, the second Anna Romeo mystery. It can be found here. But please remember this is a seat-of-your-pants writing frenzy. No polish yet.

While you're there, check in on my writing buddies, Marianne and Wendy. Cheer them on! We all need all the help we can get. Right, ladies? :)

Must Be Nuts lollygagging

Sigh...I admit it. I'm lollygagging on my NaNo novel. It's already day four and I should have nearly 8,000 words complete but I've got ... ugh, loads less than that. What I've got came easily but I've been working on Sandswept these past days, too. One novel is lots easier to write than two.

So Must Be Nuts is letting Seaside Shimmy lag behind, for now. Tomorrow morning I'll give it hell but today...well, today's one of those lavender sky, looks-like-snow sort of days. Perfect for playing chess beside a roaring fire. Yep, that's the thing.

Tomorrow I'll get Must Be Nuts in gear. Today, I'll let her coast...