50,000 and Now ZZZzzzz . . .

If you dropped in to Writing in the Buff on Monday, you know I’ve been racing to hit my NaNo 50,000 (which I did around one a.m. Yay!). You also know that I promised to tell you the naked truth about ZZZzzzz.

Multiple Z’s can stand for many things.  I might use those Z’s to indicate my hubby snoozing, steak sizzling, or a bee buzzing around my rose garden. Z is like the poster child for onomatopoeia.

Considering all that Z has to offer, one would think that when I participated in the A to Z Challenge last April that finding a topic for the multitasking Z would be easy.  Not so.  I jotted notes about everything from zippers to Zorro. Nothing seemed appropriate for the final day of the Challenge, especially since my month long theme was “Pawsitive Pondering.” What the heck would dogs have to say about the letter “Z?”

The fog lifted when I saw the photo below of Rigby, our yellow Lab, and Special Agent McGee, my daughter’s mini Dachshund. He’s how those Z’s played out:

Pawsitive Pondering

Rigby and Special Agent McGee

 Z is for:

Zest + Zeal = Zen

Live every day with a 

Zest for Life and a Zeal for Love 

so you may achieve your 

Zen of Being.

Peace out.

That's my summation of how I believe our furry pals deal with the day to day effort of living.  Those hairy little smarties.

The cool thing about Zest + Zeal = Zen is its positive application to anything we’re passionate about. Family, writing, music, basket-weaving—whatever we polish up with Zest and Zeal will turn around and gift us with Zen. It’s a pretty cool equation, and that’s saying a lot coming from a lady who would rather hear Gilbert Gottfried recite “War and Peace” than spend even a moment alone with anything resembling a math problem.

So where am I going with this? Well, looking back at the last 30 days, during which time I put ooh-gobs of Zest and Zeal into my writing, I’m happy to report that I’ve achieved a certain Zen. I wrote like mad to hit 50,000 and I’ve got the fleshed out bones of a middle grade novel as my prize. The story has a life now, and is thankfully no longer residing solely in my imagination. Also, my fingers have stopped burning up the keyboard (for the moment) and my laptop is so happy to be rid of me that it’s considering a celebratory trip to Aruba without me.

To what areas of your life do you apply the Zest + Zeal = Zen equation? Does that formula work for you? If you have an example to share, I’d love to hear it.  Catch me quick, though. It’s been an exhausting month, and I’m ready to ZZZzzzz……

See you next for Book Blurb Friday!

Lisa

NaNoWriMo Means NoNoMicro

Clip art courtesy of Webweaver.nu

See Taz? That's me over the past week, writing for NaNo and cooking for Thanksgiving.  I fell behind on my NaNo count and am now in the unenviable position of playing catch up. For awhile there it looked pretty grim; but I've been a writing fool for the past two days and as of last count need just a smidge under 10,000 words between now and Wednesday to hit the 50,000 goal. That's still a lot of writing, but it's possible. Wish me luck!

Unfortunately, on my drive to a successful NaNo completion, other things have taken a back seat and this week's microfiction is one of them. (The laundry basket hasn't received my attention either, much to my family's chagrin.) I really can't help it. I've been looking a lot like Taz, but after my 5,000 word push today I'm looking more like this:

Clip art courtesy of Webweaver.nu

I'll see you Wednesday for the naked truth about . . . ZZZZzzzzz.

Have a great week!
Lisa

Opportunity: NaNo Knocks!

Opportunity

Oxford Dictionary: A time or set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:  A favorable juncture of circumstances.

November brings us NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).  For those who jump into the NaNo madness---committing to write a 50,000 word novel by month's end---this is an opportunity of grand proportions. It means we must set aside our negative thinking (Who wants to read anything I write anyway?), our whining about lack of time (I’m too busy folding laundry!), and our desire to have any semblance of a normal sleep pattern (“Just. . .one. . .more. . .word. . .Zzzzz. . .), for thirty days. But at the end of it all, if we complete the challenge, we have the bones of a novel just waiting for rewrites and edits. But it is OUT, you understand? No longer bubbling in our brains like so much alphabet soup.

So NaNoWriMo is a writer’s opportunity to write. It is an opportunity to shut out many of the distractions and activities that gum up our clock. For instance: 

• “Fix dinner? Can’t. I have to write 2,000 words for Nano.” 

• “Clean the bathrooms? Yeah, sorry. NaNo.”  

• “Wash Thanksgiving dishes? Uh, no. I lost time basting the turkey. Gotta write. It’s NaNo.” 

You get the idea. NaNo is a writer’s ultimate opportunity to focus on writing, or more specifically, to blow off all the stuff that we normally allow to take precedence over our writing. 

Now, in the grand scheme of fantasy opportunities, NaNo doesn’t rank up there with, say, being trapped in an elevator for thirty minutes with Arthur Levine, but it is an opportunity nonetheless. And one worth jumping at, especially if you have a supportive family who understands you intend to complete that 50,000 come hell, high water, or an overflowing laundry basket.

While mucking around the net I came across this quote:

“Let’s assume that each person has an equal opportunity, not to become equal, but to become different. To realize whatever unique potential of body, mind and spirit he or she possesses.”  ----John Fischer

How is that for a marvelous summation of our work and passion as writers? Isn’t that what we’re striving for every time we put pen to paper or set our fingers on a computer keyboard? The opportunity to become different, to realize the potential encompassed in our passion.  It’s there every time we write, even without the kick in the pants that is NaNoWriMo.

Opportunity:  The chance to unleash our unique potential. Every time we write.

See you next for Book Blurb Friday!

Lisa

Woot! Woot! (The Magic Number is 53,420)

Animated clip art courtesy of Webweaver

I completed my first NaNoWriMo challenge! I'd do a happy dance, but I'm too tired and sore after all this typing. I'm leaning more toward the Old Bagger Shuffle, but at least I'm still smiling!

53,420 is the count.  That total may climb as I still have lots more writing to do before this manny is complete, and as near as I can tell uploading and verification has yet to be initiated on the NaNo site.

The important thing is that I'm finally done. My family will be thrilled to hear the news as I will now stop neglecting them. Things will be clean and sparkly around here again very soon. Maybe. I could get used to a little dust, now that I know it won't kill anybody.

Everyone please enjoy a safe and happy Thanksgiving Day holiday! 

Til next time -
Lisa

In the Home Stretch!

The finish line is in sight!  I've written 42,350 words of the 50,000 word challenge!  With only 7,650 words left to go, you know how I'll be spending my weekend. For now I'm basking in the glow of near completion. I'm also off to do laundry because, well, even hanging this close to the NaNo finish line, the dirty socks cannot be left to ferment. So I'm off to wash. But tomorrow, buttercup, I'll be writing.

Have a great weekend!  See you soon for Microfiction Monday!

Lisa

NaNo Update and More!

Welcome -- to my new followers! Thank you to *Carmen, Brian, Nessa and Dominic for signing on with me.  Please check out their links...there's some terrific stuff on their pages.

Following a blog and commenting takes time, and I appreciate you using yours to visit Writing in the Buff. Thank you, to each of my followers--and other visitors, too. I'm grateful for your insights and attention!

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Woo-hoo! I'm halfway through the NaNoWriMo challenge. I celebrated the milestone with a glass (oh, fine. . .two) of Lambrusco and a bag of Peanut M&Ms.  It takes so little to make me happy!

I'm at 25,000 words with 25,000 more to go before the 30th, and somewhere in there a Thanksgiving dinner must be prepared.  I tried to convince my family that we could be just as thankful with PBJ sandwiches and a gallon of ice cream, but that didn't fly. Can't blame an overworked writer for trying, though.

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Speaking of turkey day, there is still time to enter my Thanksgiving giveaway contest.  Scroll down a few posts for a refresher on the rules to enter. (Please remember that in addition to being a follower, you must leave a comment telling me the nuttiest thing you are grateful for, not including family and friends.)  You have until 5:00 p.m. EST on Monday, November 15th to enter.  After that, the names go in a hat and my hubby will close his eyes and pull one out (a name, not an eye---though that would be kinda cool in an ooky sort of way) and the winner will be announced here on Tuesday, November 16th. Good luck!

One of my blogging pals is also running a contest. Click on over to Becky Povich's blog and enter her contest, too. Lots of great stuff to win!

Enjoy your day!
Lisa


Please note:  Clipart courtesy of hasslefreeclipart.com. 

*Carmen - there was no link provided for me to share.

NaNo Break for Microfiction Monday

Happy Monday morning! I decided to take a NaNo break for Microfiction Monday, partly because I need a breather and partly because I'm addicted to MM and couldn't stand to miss a week.  Link back to Susan at Stony River to read other microfiction tales, and thanks to Susan for fueling my new addiction.  Here are my two 140 character tales for this week:

My inner child walks the path and smells the fallen leaves, 

hears them crunch beneath her feet; 

the sound of birdsong through the trees.

* * * * * * * * *

She walks ahead, pretends to be alone.

She hears voices no one shares, dreaming dreams that become prayers.

My odd little earthbound angel.

 I'd also like to remind you that my blog contest is still going on.  Scroll down two posts for details on how to enter. You have until the next Microfiction Monday to participate.  A random drawing will determine the winner, whose name I will announce on Tuesday, November 16th. I'll do my level best to be sure the winner receives the Thanksgiving goodies before the holiday.

One more important thing:  A sincere "Thank You!" To my newest followers, *Jenny, *Claudia,  Eric Alder, Madeleine, Kristin, Sally, Debra Mayhew, and Bookie. Link to these folks and check out their pages!

Okay, fun time is over and I'm back to work on my NaNoWriMo challenge and that phenomenon known as Numb Butt (see my last post for an explanation of that one). Have a great Monday. . .and if you smile enough, that won't be a contradiction of terms!

Til next time -

Lisa

*Jenny and Claudia -- your follower info did not include a link for me to share.

12,522 Words Down and 37,478 To Go!

NaNoWriMo is kicking my butt. That's the biggest complaint I can muster, though, because I'm 12,522 words into the novel I've been mulling over for the last two years. Why didn't I put pen to paper...er, fingers to keyboard...before now? Who knows? Who cares? I'm excited to finally see the characters come alive, and after only 6 days into the challenge I've already learned some stuff.

The Top Five Things I Have Learned (so far) from NaNoWriMo:  

1.  Having to bullet out as many words as possible has somehow engaged my ability to create heretofore unknown characters. And I like 'em.

2.  Since I haven't the time to micromanage my protagonist I'm letting him run the show, and it turns out he has a mind of his own. Who knew?

3.  Spell check has shown that my keyboarding accuracy is much higher than expected, even typing at turbo speeds. Yay!

4.  My butt has the capacity to remain planted in a chair for hours before going numb. This either means I have plenty of fat to cushion my weight or I own a really great writing chair. I'll let you decide.

5. I do not have the ability to do twenty things at one time. I can write or I can clean the bathrooms, but I cannot do both. Pity the potties.

That's it for now, buttercup. I've got to take a break. My husband (and a big glass of wine) is calling my name...also, I have the whole numb butt thing to contend with.  Just saying.

Til next time -
Lisa

Big Blog Contest, Microfiction Monday and NaNoWriMo!

From left: Lindt chocolate/peanut butter truffles, Thanksgiving Pilgrim, Yankee Candle (Be Thankful scent) and autumn leaf candy dish.

November 1st has arrived, and it has brought with it several cool things, two of which are firsts for me. Here they are:

• All that nifty stuff top center will be yours if you are the winner of my first ever blog contest! The contest begins today and ends on midnight Monday, November 15th.  I'll announce the winner soon after and get all that stuff in the mail to be delivered and enjoyed in time for Thanksgiving Day.  To enter your name for the random drawing, please do this:

1. Sign up as a Follower if you are not already one of the Follower friends I'm so grateful for.

2. Leave a comment on this post telling me the nuttiest thing for which you are thankful, not including family and friends. (Feel free to leave a comment on the Microfiction, too, though that is not a requirement for your inclusion in the contest.)

3. This one is optional -- mention this blog contest on your blog or website with a link back, and your name will be entered into the drawing a second time, doubling your chance of a win.  Be sure to let me know you've linked so I can offer a thanks back to you!

That's all there is to it! I hope you'll enter my first ever blog contest---good luck!

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• NaNoWriMo = National Novel Writer's Month = 50,000 words in 30 days or less. I'm a participant this year, so I'll be typing away on my novel. My blog posting/reading/commenting will dwindle during this time, and I apologize in advance, but I'll keep you updated with my word count here and on Facebook and will take all the encouragement I can get. I didn't expect my first marathon would be spent with my butt planted in a chair. Good thing we writers appreciate irony!

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Welcome to Roland D. Yeomans, my newest follower.  Thanks, Roland, for following and for your comments!

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Now on to Microfiction Monday, the meme I've come to love.  As always, huge thanks to Susan at Stony River for hosting this. So many people participate and the stories are terrific.  Link back to Stony River to access other Microfiction tales. Here's my offering for this week:

Witchy hat, black cat, pumpkin up on high; little girl is ready for a Halloween surprise. Poor, sweet kid…trick-or-treating was last night!

Wishing everyone a wonderful Monday! Don't forget to enter the contest!

Ever thankful -

Lisa