nanowrimo

In Which I Disappear to Revise Two Books in Two Months

Sat down to write this blog post today, and I realized I missed posting in both February AND March. Whoops! I don’t think I’ve ever gone this long without an update! Trust that all of my spare time has been spent writing, just not on here.

February—I focused on making the revisions my agent wanted to see before the book goes on submission. It was hugely challenging but incredibly satisfying. Their suggestions definitely improved the story, but it was my first time doing an overhaul like that and it felt like my brain had been wrung out like a washcloth by the end. Hence, no February post. Fingers crossed they like the changes and that I nailed it on round one, but I’m also aware we might have to go back and forth a few times. I’m new at this! Trying to be okay with the fact that I might not get a gold star right away. I emailed the manuscript in early March and jumped straight into editing my NaNoWriMo book while I waited for them to get back to me.

March—Cleaned up my 77,000-word YA contemporary suspense sailing novel and got it in good enough shape to send to beta readers. I had a blast with this book, and I’m dying to get reader feedback regarding all the red herrings, who-dun-it theories, and shocking moments. It took about three weeks to edit, and I just sent it off to friends yesterday. For the first time in eight weeks, I have…nothing on the docket?!

Except the lingering guilt that I’ve neglected my blog! After not posting for two months, you would think that I would have something more exciting than this to share, but it’s mostly been me at my keyboard, mumbling to myself. Oh wait, I guess you could count my dermatitis flare up as something out of the ordinary, but nobody wants to see me with diaper rash cream on my face (If you have any tips regarding this, PLEASE share I am desperate it’s been weeks and it isn’t clearing up).

You CAN be on the lookout for boat updates soon, though. Yep, we lasted 2 whole years without a boat before we caved and bought a DINGHY! It’s so cute and has a little electric motor so we can buzz around Puget Sound this summer. Once the registration goes through, we’ll be taking her out as much as weather allows. The kids are beside themselves. Taking name suggestions at this time. So far the contenders are:

Never Again
Once More With Feeling
Fooky Fooky (my son cannot say his ‘s’, so anything spooky he declares ‘fooky’)
Next Chapter
Scout (my daughter SWEARS this won’t be confusing)

Love,

Taylor

PSA: National Novel Writing Month starts on Tuesday! If you’ve ever tried to write a novel or promised yourself, “One day I’ll do it!”, now is your chance. NaNoWriMo sets a goal for contestants to write 1,667 words per day for 30 days. The minimum word count for a book to be considered a novel (instead of a novella or novelette) is 50,000 words. So, by the end of the month, you’ll have a novel-length project!

Granted, most of the popular fiction for YA and adults hovers around 80-85,000 words (depending on genre) so you might end up with over half your book drafted in just one month, which is still pretty good. I signed up at nanowrimo.org to try and meet other writers in the area and participate in some write-in events.

I’m not sticking to the ‘true’ spirit of NaNo and starting from page one, because…I already hit 50k on my current draft this past week! As I type this, I’m at 53,152 words, and I have no idea how I’m going to fit the rest of the story into the next 30,000 words. However, my NaNo goals will be to FINISH my draft this month and get a jump start on editing. December will be for polishing and writing query letter/synopsis, and I’ll start to pitch in January if all goes to plan. Maybe by voicing this to all you people I’ll be able to stick to it!

This may be the fastest I’ve ever written a book—from concept/prewriting at the end of July, to a completed project by December. Title reveal and details once this thing is done, but here’s a little hint with this mood board 😉

Love,

Taylor (and Conor, W, and R, who support my writing every day)

Deck the Halls (or should I say boat?)

I may have been a bit over-eager this year for the holiday season. These decorations were put up right after Thanksgiving:

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For all of our talk about minimalism, it seems a bit excessive, but NO RAGRETS.

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Plus, when your space is tiny, $30 worth of decorations goes a long way! Conor has been gone for a lot of holidays because of deployments, so I try to make December extra-special when he is home for it. We have a lot to celebrate this year, even though we can’t go home to Washington for Christmas.

I don’t think there is anything cozier than rocking gently on our decorated boat, while it is 40 degrees outside, drinking coffee, and listening to music. It gave me the motivation this week to finish the draft of my book! It’s finally complete at 91,500 words.

Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving and enjoyed time with loved ones. Sorry for the super quick post this week, but stay tuned for an update about our v-berth soon!

Love,

Taylor and Conor