Category Archives: National Novel Writing Month

literature, National Novel Writing Month, philosophy, politics, relationships, Uncategorized

Discoveries Day 1 of new project

November 10, 2025 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Friends

By Emma Palova

Dedicated to my lifelong friend Eva

I will begin with the basics of a philosophy that refuses to die, while its application– socialism had suffered a velvet death on the brick streets of St. Wenceslas Square in Prague on November 17, 1989.

Marxist Leninist philosophy was the product of a friendship between Karl Marx in Germany and Frederick Engels in England.

Marx and Engels began working together in 1844 in Paris, France.

They first met in person in August 1844 at the Café de la Régence, where they spent about ten days in intense discussion. That meeting marked the start of their lifelong intellectual and political partnership.

Shortly after, they collaborated on their first major joint work, “The Holy Family” (1845), and later co-authored the famous “Communist Manifesto” (1848) for the Communist League.

Cover of a book titled ‘Marxistická-leninská filozofie,’ indicating its focus on Marxist-Leninist philosophy.

author events, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

All Saints Day

November 1, 2024 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

NaNoWriMo Day 1, 2024

I got off to a rough start but ended up writing 1,263 words in two sessions. Some research put me behind, and I must do more tonight.

I found the ad below very helpful. Go figure, why? The more I write the less I understand the process. Stay with me on this wild 50K word journey into November. My neighbor Jody has been cheering me on.

I attended All Saints Day Mass, which I am grateful for.

Ad for steamship Bon Voyage built by Rogers & Bird

For the Love of Books Podcast

Listen in for a chance to win signed copies of books. I am looking for sponsors for holiday episodes in November and December. Comment below or email Emma.

holidays, inspiration, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized, writing

Past NaNoWriMo Day 2, holiday events

December 2, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

https://nanowrimo.org/winners-circle

Not a big writing day today, mainly because I had to catch up on social media posts with all the upcoming holiday events. I made the NaNoWriMo winners’ circle for the second year since it started in 2022. Check out the winners above.

Holiday podcasts

Don’t miss out on these holiday podcasts on your favorite podcasting app or on https://emmapalova123.podbean.com

Dec. 8 Author Cassie Veselovsky

Dec. 13 or 14 Books & Spirits special at The Book Nook & Java Shop in Montague

Dec. 22 Author Kenneth Harmon

Tasting events of Moravian Sons Distillery spirits

I will make this Czech eggnog for the upcoming holiday tastings of Moravian Sons Distillery with our apple spirit. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience Czech culture at its best. Our next tastings are on Dec. 7 at @Bricks at Campau Corner from 4 to 6 p.m., Dec. 8 at @HomeRun Liquor Beer & Wine, and Dec. 16 at The Book Nook & Java Shop in Montague from 3 to 7 p.m. Books & Spirits. Happy Holidays.

#moraviansonsdistillery #authoremmapalova

We will have real Czech eggnog made with our @Moravian Sons Distillery apple spirit. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience Czech culture at its best.

Home

Feature photo courtesy of @Tres Bohemmes.

For the Love of Books Podcast, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 30 comes full circle

November 30, 2023 Author Emma Palova 1 Comment

On the last day of the 50k-word challenge, I logged 1,302 words for a grand total of 53,796 words, two days after I reached the finish line.

The last day of the challenge came full circle as I went out on the trail on a sunny November day. It was 46 F and mild, and a runner was ahead of me. We passed the frozen lake without ducks on the left and crossed the small bridge. I felt good.

My author friends and I went into the challenge after I posted a special episode of For the Love of Books Podcast on Oct. 31. It carried me through and through. I kept repeating the words, “Keep pushing through.” If you hit the wall, skip to the next chapter. It was priceless advice. Thank you, my friends. Out of seven authors tackling the challenge, two of us finished, which is pretty good, because the average rate of finishing the challenge is 10 to 15 percent. YAY!

To listen to it go to https://emmapalova123.podbean.com

I am looking forward to the festive holiday episodes with authors Cassie Veselovsky, Barbara Kompik, and Kenneth Harmon. Currently, I am scheduling January. All recordings are on Zoom on Thursdays at 5 p.m. To sign up go to:

For the Love of Books Podcast

books, National Novel Writing Month

NaNoWriMo Day 28 Victory

November 28, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

I logged in 2,000 words on a sunny but freezing November morning for a total of 50, 495 words which put me into the victory lane of the NaNoWriMo 50k-word challenge.

As always I have trouble summarizing how I did it.

1-writing every day

2- breaking daily writing quota of 1,667 words into 2 sessions

3- physical activity between the two

4- pushing through the dead ends

5- I donated $25 as helper extraordinaire to NaNoWriMo during the first weekend.

6- I stayed committed to writing even on challenging days like book selling events, and on Thanksgiving.

7- I blogged about my daily writing progress.

8 – I ate a lot of trail mixes to sustain my energy.

9- During low points I blamed it on the weather and changed directions or settings.

10- The first draft is important because it exists.

11- You can edit the first draft, but you can’t edit a blank page.

12- I stayed in contact with writing buddy Verra West as we cheered each other on.

13- I read one of the pep talks.

14- I found out about a local NaNoWriMo write-in at Bettie’s Pages.

15- It’s never too late to join the challenge.

16- I used the advice from the special episode of For the Love of Books podcast.

17- Keep it up or keep pushing through.

18- I had to pass a birthday party.

I will write more about how to get it done as the whole process sinks in.

inspiration, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 27

November 27, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Heywood Banks comes to Lowell, MI

On a freezing November day, I logged in 2,027 words in the 50k-word challenge for a total of 48, 472 words, after filing a story about comedian Heywood Banks aka Toastmaster General for The Lowell Ledger.

I love Banks’s “About” page on his website. Not only was Banks born on April Fool’s Day in 1950, but he didn’t apply himself (whatever that means), he sang on the street, and never had a “B” plan.

Then he came out with his famous “Toast”. The story of the song goes back to 1986 when he was browsing at a Salvation Army store for props for his act. He bought an old toaster, thinking he would make toast during his act. Later his wife said she was looking forward to having toast the next morning, and Banks started improvising about toast while playing a bongo.

History has a tendency to repeat itself

General Strike, Nov. 27, 1989

On this day, 34 years ago, I marched along with one million people on Wenceslas Square in protest of the socialist regime in former Czechoslovakia. The Velvet Revolution led by students and artists culminated with the General Strike that toppled socialism in the old country, and gave way to the formation Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.

I feel privileged that I had written about it in “Greenwich Meridian Memoir” where East meets West. The book is available on my website at

https://wordpress.com/pages/emmapalova.com

Books make great Christmas gifts. Please check out my book page with the PayPal button.

daily writing, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 26, the last Sunday before Advent, distilling in full swing

November 26, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

As I logged in 2,146 in the 50k-word challenge for a total of 46, 445 in two writing sessions, I lived a normal Sunday going to mass at St. Pat’s and even cooking festive dinner.

I paid attention to the sermon given by Vicar David about the good sheep and the bad goats. Doing bad stuff is just as despicable as doing nothing at all. I regret how many times I have been just an observer rather than acting, except for the Velvet Revolution in 1989, when I walked into the streets to manifest against the socialist regime.

I’ve been touched by the church’s prison ministry and the need for women’s underwear in the county jail. This time, I took action, I bought underwear, reading glasses, and socks, and put a book in the prison package. I have to get out some travel-size toiletries from the hotels, that I had forgotten to take.

We also stilled the plum ferment, but the yield is half of last year’s, which is not good. It must be due to the low content of sugar, which is a result of not enough sun when the fruit ripens.

For more info go to:

Home

books, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 21, Happy 10th birthday to Josephine Palova

November 21, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Total word count 37,300

It was a rainy freezing cold November day great for writing. I logged in 1,801 words for a total of 37, 300 words in the NaNoWriMo 50k-word challenge. I moved the story forward big time, but not enough to be ahead due to the holiday.

Then off I drove to the only grocery store in town, that was packed to the rafters because of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. The usual scene unfolded in front of my eyes- half-empty shelves, not enough cash registers and lines. All that reminded me painfully of my life in former socialist Czechoslovakia before the regime toppled on Nov. 27, 1989.

After the challenge is over, I will write a post about shopping bags, and how I was happy not to have them in the USA until like five to 10 years ago.

I also made a stop at the Lowell Area Historical Museum (LAHM) to pick up my kombuchas from the big holiday event, and to fix my book display. And Heureka I discovered an old Underwood typewriter, that I had not seen there before.

Today is our granddaughter Josephine’s 10th birthday, and I found a great video that I would like to share here.

https://www.facebook.com/emma.palova.9/videos/751019993729813

Now, we’re heading out to self-distribute our fruit spirits from Moravian Sons Distillery based in Lowell, MI. For more info to https://moraviansonsdistillery.com

We have two new flavors, pear and peach. Just like books, spirits make awesome holiday gifts. Follow us on WordPress and Facebook.

Christmas through Lowell, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 16, CTL set up

November 16, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

The holiday season is upon us, as I keep pounding on the keyboard daily. I logged in 2,027 words today for a total of 30, 528 words in the NaNoWriMo 50k-word challenge.

I still managed to live a half-normal life of keeping my doctor’s appointment, and shopping for gifts for the women’s prison ministry at St. Pat’s Church in Parnell. I got the wrong reading glasses, so I had to exchange them on my second trip to town.

In between my trips to Lowell, I walked on the Fred Meijer Flat River Trail, while someone was shooting in his woods. I could see the stand through the bare trees. It’s the firearm hunting season. “That’s it, I am getting an orange hat.” I don’t want to get shot before my work is done.

Keep it up, Wrimos. My doc said the same thing about my yoga and walking routine. I do feel better when I balance mental activity with physical.

I couldn’t find the only independent bookstore Bettie’s Pages far and near in the Greater Lowell Area, that’s how frazzled I am. And I had a set up at the Lowell Area Historical Museum for the 31st annual Christmas Through Lowell Tour starting Friday, Nov. 17 through Sunday, Nov. 19. The museum is stop K on the Christmas tree signs placed at individual businesses and homes.

My books are also at the Artists Market inside the LowellArts gallery through Dec. 23. Books make awesome gifts. Stop at both locations. We’d love to see you. Artists Market is stop I on the map.

You can definitely catch me this weekend starting tomorrow.

Artists Market inside Lowell Arts located at 223 W. Main Street

Visit the Artist Market During Christmas Through Lowell Christmas Through Lowell: November 17 – 19Artist Market is open through December 23
Weekend Hours: Friday, Nov 17: 9 am to 9 pm Saturday, Nov 18: 9 am to 7 pm Sunday, Nov 19: 11 am to 5 pm
The LowellArts Artist Market features giftable fine art and fine craft works by Michigan artists. The gallery space is transformed into a retail setting with unique, one-of-a-kind items available for sale at a range of price points. The annual market is a great place for people to purchase handmade items during the gift-giving season. Gift items include pottery, paintings, photography, jewelry, textiles, glasswork, handbags, woodwork, metalwork, ornaments, soaps, and more.

National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 15

November 15, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Halfway there, Livin’ on a Prayer

Whoa, we’re halfway there
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand, we’ll make it, I swear
Whoa oh, livin’ on a prayer

Everybody knows this song by Bon Jovi. And I can feel it in my head, body, and soul, and in each word I write. I am keeping a steady pace of writing around 1,700 words a day; the word count doesn’t give me a big cushion, but it doesn’t exhaust me either.

It was a beautiful November day, as we reached almost 60 F.

I got in my daily exercise, and meditation today. I calmed down a bit, but I am still on trail energy mixes, except for this evening. We went to Smyrna Bar to deliver our new peach spirit by Moravian Sons Distillery based in Lowell, MI. So, I ordered Halfway to Cuba, a pulled pork sandwich with pickles and mustard which was delicious. The owners are going completely local. Yes! Way to go.

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Today was also the opening day of the firearm hunting season, so I could hear gunshots as soon as the sun came up. The hunting season makes me nervous walking on the trail, especially because I can’t find my orange hat.

Keep it up, Wrimos. We’re halfway there.