Category Archives: National Novel Writing Month

National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 10

November 10, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Inner Discourse

It was cloudy, cold, and windy but I had to go for a walk on the trail to get my mind and body off writing. I struggled the entire morning, nothing went right. Research slowed down my writing, but overall I couldn’t focus and roll. I suffered from inner discourse, so I couldn’t write as different thoughts kept entering my head rather than the storyline itself.

I logged in 1,704 words a little over the minimum requirement of 1,667 words a day to complete the 50k NaNoWriMo challenge. However, I came across new exciting facts that I didn’t know before, so that means progress.

Did I move the story ahead? I would certainly hope so by introducing the secret element into it and trying to figure out the supporting character Jack.

As of this evening, my total word count is 19,717.

Keep on writing Wrimos. We can do it.

National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 8

November 8, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Okay, my NaNo daily word output or the force behind it is like an EKG strip with peaks and falls. Today, was another tough one as I had to extract the words out of me. I woke up early and went through my morning routine of doing yoga, meditation, and treadmill. I even worked physically in my sunroom to get balanced for the daily writing session.

However, no homeostasis occurred. It was a dark dreary November day with the lights in my office turned on all day.

The best thing that happened to me today was my trip to the Cannonsburg Post Office with a box of books for the Book Nook of Saugatuck located at 242 Butler Street. If you’re in that area, don’t forget to stop by. Books make great gifts.

https://www.facebook.com/booknooksaugatuck/

I logged in 1,773 words for a total of 16, 298. That’s pretty much the bare minimum because I have a show next weekend – Christmas through Lowell. I will be at the Lowell Area Historical Museum.

See you there.

National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 7

November 7, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

The writing went better today than yesterday; I slept better and I meditated and exercised in the morning. What kind of exercise? Yoga on the Beach with Elin and 18 minutes on the treadmill gave me energy. I believe you have to achieve homeostasis to be able to keep up with the 50k-word challenge.

I can only do the challenge when my body, mind, and spirit are balanced.

I did come across a few snags mainly at one of the scene locations. Then again I had to look up how pagers were used in the 1990s, and computers before Windows. My husband Ludek helped me with research.

Overall, not a bad writing day as I logged in 2,022 words for a total of 14, 525 words since the challenge started on Nov. 1. I wish I had prepared more in October with research and interviews. I’ll have to catch up on that to fill in some holes.

I even managed to go to LowellArts to fix the book and poster display with the help of director Janet Teunis for the upcoming holiday Artists Market. Better, yet, I got our grocery shopping done when the store was almost empty, as they transitioned into the holiday season. Yay!

On my way home, I voted at Vergennes Township Hallo in a very low-key election that featured only one question on the ballot; to approve the countywide library millage. At 3 p.m., I was voter no. 64 in precinct 1. I got my sticker, “I voted.” That’s all that matters.

On my way home, I ate trail mix for both lunch and dinner. But, then I sampled the stuffed eggplant that I’d made for tomorrow. It was very good.

Then I worked in the sunroom planting mom’s pink oleander, more work on that is to be continued. I have to parlay physical work into mental output.

I can actually say that I accomplished a few things today.

Good luck to all Wrimos. Let’s keep on pressing.

National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 6

November 6, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Monday, Monday

I dragged my feet today after a restless night with the vision of the newspaper deadline and the daily word log-in of at least 1,667 words to win the 50k NaNoWriMo word challenge by the end of November.

When I had to look up how were beepers or pagers used, I realized that I was definitely writing historical fiction even though it’s set in the early 1990s.

I had to do some research too, which put me behind more. I got zero cooking done, and never left the house. I only went upstairs to exercise on the treadmill for 18 minutes and felt guilty. Only my growling stomach reminded me that I should eat something. So, I devoured two cans of tuna with blue cheese stuffed olives, and pita chips. I drank Earl Grey tea, cup after cup.

Did anyone say that NaNo should be fun? True there were some fun elements to writing today like when I got all caught up in describing the Painted Pony Macaroni dish.

I am still feeling good about the Book Nook of Saugatuck selling out of my The Lost Town books, and ordering more. That keeps me going.

https://www.facebook.com/booknooksaugatuck/

More fun tomorrow. Good luck to all Wrimos.

National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

Double-Up Donation NaNoWriMo Day 5

November 5, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Powers of red agates

Today I wrote about the powers of red agates as the plot of my NaNo novel unravels with a total of 10, 739 words, and I logged in 2,426 today.

I will get some NaNo goodies because I donated to support the writing initiative. YAY! I believe in creative endeavors in any form.

I even made it to the Sunday mass at St. Pat’s in Parnell and to Sicialiano’s on Lake Drive for glass supplies. Other good news included that The Book Nook of Saugatuck sold all six copies of The Lost Town and wanted five more books. Thank you, Cheryl. You rock.

NaNoWriMo tips

This is my fifth NaNoWriMo challenge, and I still find it extremely challenging. Here are some tips:

I break up the writing into morning and afternoon sessions to make the challenge more palatable. I make notes of changes that I will need to make in December.

Good luck to all Wrimos.

National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Day 3

November 3, 2023 Author Emma Palova Leave a comment

Write what you know or do you know too much?

So much for the saying- write what you know.

It happened to me too. So far I’ve only heard about it from a few sources and author J. Q. Rose in the podcast episode about her mystery romance Deadly Undertaking set in a funeral home.

https://emmapalova123.podbean.com/e/ author-jq-rose-pens-mystery-romance-deadly-undertaking

Since the author was part of the family funeral business, she knew everything about it. When she started writing the mystery, Rose found out she knew too much and got involved personally in the story to the point where she had to stop for a while.

Well, this morning I thought Day 3 would be a breeze since I was writing about an interview for a prestigious job at a beautiful location. Not, only do I know everything about interviewing on both sides of the table, but I also know the location.

It was like pulling teeth; I had to leave and go for a ride. Even then it didn’t get any better. I barely finished my goal and logged in 2, 095 words with a major headache.

On the other hand, I put together a good recipe for fall risotto yesterday that I will share soon.

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

Deals on Emma’s books to celebrate NaNoWriMo victory, free shipping

November 28, 2022 emmapalova 1 Comment

I will not be at West Catholic Central tomorrow Dec.3 Please order books below. I offer free shipping. Books make great gifts and souvenirs.

I logged in 50,036 words with my sequel to The Lost Town in the NaNoWriMo 50K word challenge this morning at 9 a.m.

To celebrate my third-time win in National Novel Writing Month, all my books will be 20 percent off until midnight EST on Nov. 30 for the duration of the challenge.

From an aspiring writer to a published author

Use promo code NaNo22 in the PayPal checkout.

Books by Emma Palova

SCHEDULE OF GUESTS for December 2022

FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS PODCAST with host EMMA PALOVA

Listen in for a chance to win a signed copy in the podcast book giveaway.

http://emmapalova123.podbean.com and on https://anchor.fm/emma-palova, major podcasting apps

December Schedule

Steve Boughton, Francesco Takes Flight, Dec. 2

Janet Vormittag, Cat Women of West Michigan, Dec. 9

Herman Hunter, The Wizard’s Stone, Dec. 16

Karen Tintori, The Daughters, Dec. 23

Carol Nickles, Thumbfire Desire, Dec. 30

Sponsored by Doc Chavent, The Lowell Ledger, Modern History Press

daily writing, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

First Sunday of Advent, Day 27 of NaNoWriMo

November 27, 2022 emmapalova Leave a comment

Happy holiday season 2022, may the light shine on into the long winter nights

I logged in 48,415 words in the NaNoWriMo 50k word challenge on this First Sunday of Advent as I watched Fr. Dat Tran dressed in Advent blue approach the altar at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Grand Rapids for the Sunday mass at 10:30 a.m.

And sudden warmth and light flooded not only the cathedral but my heart as well. If I hadn’t been writing for the last 27 days, there would have been only the darkness of a blank page. So many people want the light of a new story, a new beginning. And that is Advent. The beginning of a new liturgical year and new stories waiting to be told.

This time I prayed for the success of the challenge, not just for me but all of us, so the stories can enlighten the world in its darkness. The purpose of the challenge is not only to reach the 50k -word- goal but to help young aspiring authors. I feel I have done that, and that I will continue the noble goal of inspiring others to reach for the light. In the name of Chiara, Vera, Ashley and all.

You are the reason why I write.

To be continued..

Authors events, National Novel Writing Month, Uncategorized

NaNoWriMo Days 20 & 21, total of 39,585 words

November 21, 2022 emmapalova Leave a comment

I had to combine the totals for the two NaNoWriMo writing days, since Day 20 on Sunday, Nov. 20 wasn’t a writing day at all. More like research and staying in touch with my writing project, a sequel to The Lost Town based in Singapore, MI during a major selling event, Christmas through Lowell.

For the third day in a row, I was stationed inside the Lowell Area Historical Museum, Industry & Retail Room with the Cutter Factory sleigh, selling books with six other vendors. Although we had a ball and enjoyed good sales it was exhausting.

I had a clear view of the Strand Theater’s playbill from who knows when that actually inspired me. Check out the feature photo.

By now, we know each other’s sales pitches by heart.

“Are you readers?” I ask. “Do you like to read?”

“No, I don’t have the time,” was the overwhelming response.

“My earrings are two for 10,” Ashley Thompson said.

And so on.

“I have postcards from Lowell,” Bruce Doll said.

“Would you like to buy a candle?” the candle kid said.

NaNoWriMo Day 21

I logged in a total of 1,600 words trying to get back into the swing of things. You would not believe what a two-day break from writing does. It puts you out of touch with your own story, and with the characters, you have created. It takes forever to get back into the zone of the book.

To be continued..