Writing a new chapter in my life as I take on new responsibilities in 2024. Yoga, treadmill, and meditation help me stay focused and move forward. And of course friends, most of them are far away, some live on the continent, others in Europe, and I have a friend in Adelaide, Australia. But, just the thought that they exist helps.
After the first major snowstorm of the season, we have received a total of 21 inches as of Sunday morning at 9:20 a.m. The lake snow effect has kicked in and we’re getting more snow, as Mom and I get ready for a trip to Florida. It is also my annual writing retreat.
Read your free Taurus Daily Horoscope to discover how the stars will align for you today! Reveal the hidden opportunities coming your way and any obstacles to be prepared for.
— Read on www.tarot.com/daily-horoscope/taurus/2024-01-14
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.
I am indulging in the sounds of the beach: Russian to the right, laughter to the right, kids straight up front and the crashing waves as far as I can see. The sun is warming my legs while my feet dig deep into the hot sand. It’s 82F and the sun is high above my head.
Lemonade Razzonade Bait Bucket Margarita
My backpack has everything I need: notepad and pens, suntan lotion, water, cash for a Blue Bait Margarita and magazines about living in Paradise.
I cannot omit the price this Paradise had to pay during hurricane Ian in September. Crews are still fixing the roofs and some signs have not been replaced. Otherwise you would not believe a hurricane blew through; just south of town.
Dad Vaclav and mom Ella
We spent a great morning on the town starting with yoga with Elin on the beach to the sounds of Ukulele Thursdays. We took a walk on Miami Street in search of the Greek restaurant Bromdon. We browsed through the Island View Boutique with beautiful blings and resort wear. Hasta La Vista.
Mom Ella is doing much better today after her surgery. With strength she’s also getting back her attitude, just a tad.
I have to pick up on chapter Mara and the Revelation of the Great Singapore secret in the sequel to The Lost Town. More later.
I am meeting with Maple later today and mixing up some cocktail recipes.
Well, the meeting with Maple didn’t happen, but I met Pat, the board secretary instead. YAY!
To top off this incredible productive day, I managed to pop into Pages Promotions Winter Book Festival. I am still clueless as to who murdered author Andrew Allen Smith who stole the Sardonic Manuscript, but did he really or was he just framed?
To be continued…,
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I think this is the first time I’ve ever worked on a book on the beach. I’ve written on beaches before, but never a contiguous piece of an actual manuscript, the sequel to Shifting Sands: The Lost Town.
“What’s lost can be found even on a beach or underneath the singing sands.”
Scuba Divers
It’s very fitting to write the sequel on the beach amidst the little dunes with the wind blowing from the south. The life saving wind is cooling down the air temperature that reached 82 F. It’s 90F in Orlando. I am savoring the warmth of these moments as a major winter storm is whipping the Midwest.
It’s been quite an experiment that I started aboard the Allegiant two- hour flight to Punta Gorda, FL to see if can pick up writing whenever or wherever I leave off. So far it has been working out despite all the beach distractions.
The Pavilion
Epiphany Church
Yes, there has been plenty of distractions from the posted Red Tide caused by red algae, private jets taking off behind my back, to the falling umbrella, cute divers with oxygen tanks, a screaming kid and the glistening waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Then yesterday I broke my eyeglasses, forgot my card and much more.
After mom’s surgery this morning, a cup of coffee and two cups of Earl Grey, I regained some composure still undecided whether I should go for the Ashes in the morning by myself, or wait the outcome of the surgery. Mom was recovering well so I went for the gold- that is what I call going to the beach.
The improvement since yesterday was remarkable; no more coughing caused by the Red Tide or smell from the dead fish washed ashore.
“It comes and goes,” mom said about the unwelcome visitor to the Florida beaches. Regardless, the Red Tide the beaches of Venice are busy with tourists and snowbirds. Yoga on the Beach with Elin in the mornings enjoys around 200 yogis of all ages.
But back to the manuscript. I am about five to six chapters away from the end. Do I know the ending? I don’t and I like it that way as it keeps me on the edge, and probably preventing me from sleeping too.
What are the major forces in the story now? Well, the secrets of Singapore remain covered with sand. How will they emerge? Who will help uncover them? That remains unknown.
To be continued…
Copyright (c) 2023. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
No, smooth sailing through these two days filled with focused writing. After I got over the halfway hump on Friday and Saturday, the ride on the NaNo 50k word roller coaster got bumpier.
It must have coincided with the drop in temperatures in West Michigan as we chilled down, and the skies got cloudy. Our driveways are now lined with stakes with snow in the forecast.
So I introduced the Tower of Breese into the story about the search for a lost town. That helped to further establish the enemy. However, I got stuck again on Monday morning and added another layer to one of the protagonists deepening the conflict.
What’s the next step? The protagonist has several options and doesn’t know which road to take. I should map it out for him on the beat sheet plotting method.
Christmas through Lowell 2022
Setting records this year the tour has 61 locations and I am on one of them, station k on the CTL tour map aka Lowell Area Historical Museum in downtown Lowell located at 325 W. Main Street.
In my other role as a reporter for The Lowell Ledger, I wrote like crazy on a Sunday afternoon about the upcoming Christmas through Lowell tour this weekend, Nov. 18 through Nov. 20.
Christmas through Lowell, Nov. 18 through Nov. 20
In my role as the Director of Operations for Moravian Sons Distillery, I am going to our first meeting of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association at DeVos Hall in Grand Rapids. I am psyched. There will be a bunch of other distillery newcomers.
In another role yet as the producer and host of For the Love of Books Podcast, we will bring you insights in the special episode “Breaking Point” about getting halfway through NaNoWriMo.
I can’t wait for authors Jean Davis and Vera West to share their insights because you can still jump on the NaNo ride.
Copyright (c) 2022. Emma Blogs, LLC. All rights reserved.
Happy birthday to all the people who are celebrating their birthdays in the COVID-19 quarantine in 2020.
Alright, I caved in and decided to celebrate my birthday tomorrow on zoom at the Pushkin’s Bar.
All you need is the free zoom app from the app stores to join in. I will send the link and the password tomorrow to join. You don’t need to wear a mask unless you want to. BYOB
The band of choice is Twisted Sisters with their “We’re not gonna take it.”
Thanks to graphic artist Jeanne Boss for creating the perfect me in the featured photo.
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“When I am writing, I am trying to find out who I am, who we are, what we’re capable of, what we feel, how we lose and stand up, and go from darkness into darkness.”
Maya Angelou
Lowell, MI- Together we can accomplish anything. We will get through this together. Each one of us has a part to play.
How many times do we get to chat simultaneously with people from Florida, Oklahoma , Minnesota and Michigan?
I did for the first time earlier in the day via video chat Zoo room app. I connected with familiar faces, and I am so grateful for technology with all its whims.
I love my Taurus horoscope today, as I move ahead with the Greenwich Meridian Memoir revisions. I’ve added some interesting events to the memoir about our family immigration saga from former Czechoslovakia to the USA. Watch for excerpts.
Read your free Taurus Daily Horoscope to discover how the stars will align for you today! Reveal the hidden opportunities coming your way and any obstacles to be prepared for.
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