"Nano Classmo" in August 2010

http://www.wou.edu/provost/extprogram/communityenrichment.php#novelwr

Just in case you missed my other announcements, here is a link to the NaNoWriMo class I'm teaching this August/September (2010). I am pregnant and due to have a baby in November, so I sincerely doubt I'll be able to write 50K at that time.

Instead, I'm teaching the class in August and September. Just think of this as a opportunity to write TWO novels this year: one now and one in November for regular NaNo. :) This just re-enforces the point that you could write 50K of a novel during ANY span of 30 days. :)

Even if you can't physically make the class, keep following me, and we'll all write 50K next month!

m

Back in the saddle in July!

Summer is finally here! I am finally feeling good! It's time for the summer super-productivity fest!

In case you didn't know, I am 5 months pregnant. I am blaming the first three months of this pregnancy and its associated morning sickness and exhaustion for my appalling lack of productivity this winter and spring. But I am now in the bliss of the second trimester when the hormones have settled and I am not yet so big and uncomfortable that I don't want to work. Hooray months 5, 6, and 7!

June was mostly a bust for me because not only did we have final exams (and pregnancy exhaustion), but the next weekend I was running an alpaca show. Then I slept for a week. But I am back in the saddle for the summer with these ambitious goals:

1. Finish the novel I started in November by August 6...I think it has about 10-20K left in the story
2. The August 6 deadline is because I am going to the Willamette Writers' conference that weekend in PDX
   
3. Polish the set of scripts I have written for a planned online video series for the college library...it is clandestine-ly educational, but really, it's a Scooby Doo farce. It will be filmed in August.
   
4. I am going to teach the "Nanowrimo" class again, this time in Aug/Sept. I want to do the 50K in 30 day challenge again, but since I'll have a newborn in November, I don't think I'll make 50K that month. I'm not sure I'll write a word that month, actually. Anyone want to join me in my August Nano challenge?
   
5. Catch up with short story re-submissions
   

Does anyone have any advice for the writers' conference? I've never been to one before. I should have two finished novels, plus a finished screenplay or two to market, but I didn't sign up for any one-on-one meetings with editors or agents (though I think there may be an opportunity to do so later). I'd be happy to just waddle around and go to seminars, but I'd be happier if someone were introduced to my writing and took an interest in it. I'll be there on Friday and Saturday.

I have no news on the submission front. The novel is either languishing in slush piles or someone is eagerly trying to get it sold to their marketing team; either way, no news is good news. I haven't caught up with the short story submissions yet...that's another to do for July.

I wrote almost 2,000 words on the novel and 20 pages of script in June, most of that in the last week. I'm taking any little victory at this point.

That's all for now.
m

Nano has swallowed my time

No posting = lots of novel being written.

As you can see by the widget to the left, I've had some trouble keeping up with my wordcount this month. There has been far more drama this month than I anticipated, but who can anticipate drama?

I am now 300 words ahead of the curve, thanks to the fact that no one comes to my Tuesday office hours. That means lots of time for me to "grade" and "prep for class." *wink wink*

In preparation for next week's nanoclassmo, here is a link to Scott William Carter's blog. He's coming next week to answer the question: "I've written a novel! Now what?" His book comes out in 2010.

Okay, must go get ready for class. *wink*
m

Nano Update

16,708 words in ten days! Whoo-wee. When you say it like that, it sounds like a lot. The fact that I haven't written a word on this blog in ten days tells you a little about how intense it is to do #Nano, too.

The book has taken over by putting my MC into the hospital, where she cannot be the center of the action anymore. Her husband and veterinarian have taken that over (her vet for her mule).

I've caught the bug du jour...probably not the swine flu, since I am up and talking, but it's bad enough it really hurt my wordcount for a couple days.

Otherwise, I've recieved two story rejections in the mail. I've got to find time to put the stories back into the mail, and find one or two more publishers to send last year's nano book to.

The NanoClassMo was tonight, too, and we've had a couple people drop out because life got in the way, and a couple peole re-appear from the depths of life getting in the way. I'm so glad those people returned, and so sad about the people who've left. I think everyone is having a good experience with the writing, though, no matter what their wordcounts.

All right. I need to drag my sick carcass back to bed.
G'night.
m

Weekly update

This week, I got a novel rejection from Simon and Schuster, but whichever little intern read it, carefully folded the packet and stuffed it into my #10 SASE! Bonus. I had a glimmer of misguided hope when I held the weighty envelop in my hand, though.

I also received an email confirmation from Tin House that they had entered my (snail-mailed) story into their online submission form. It should be easier to track, I suppose.

I am mailing a fantasy story tomorrow to a fantasy magazine, though I have since realized that the story is actually the first vignette of the novel I'm going to write for NaNoWriMo. Dragons meet Outbreak meets Jurassic Park. Should be fun to write. :)

Writing-wise, I started a story about a girl and some alpacas, which wants to become My Friend Flicka with alpacas. I'm pretty sure I can sell a story to an alpaca magazine I subscribe to, but as a novel idea, it'll have to wait until after Nano.

The NaNo class begins on Tuesday! Yikes! That means I only have two weeks to commit to a novel idea (Dragons Amok is only the leading contender), and I have to finalize what I'm going to teach. I've got the first couple weeks under control, but it's the four in November that I really need to plan out before they happen. I'll be too busy to plan once NaNo start.

By the way, anyone who wants to follow me on the NaNo website, my handle is "marenster," just like it is on Twitter.

That's all for now!
m

NaNo Class is supported by OLL!

The Office of Letters and Light (the people who run NaNo) got back to me and said that the NaNo class is not only kosher, but they are really excited that people are teaching it in colleges and community centers. They've asked that I help out with some project connected with teachers and NaNo. Naturally, I will help in any way possible.

This is a great load off my mind. The last thing I wanted to do was somehow harm NaNo. Such a relief!

So, come take my class! I will help you through NaNo! yahoo!

m

Official announcement of "Nano" class

http://www.wou.edu/provost/extprogram/communityenrichment.php#firstnovel

Here's the announcement for my novel-writing class on the DEP website. I'm trying to find out (belatedly) if I am allowed to use the "nano" name, but the class will go on, either way.

m

NaNo Class in Salem Monthly

Therese O'Neil wrote a great article about my NaNo class in the Salem Monthly.

Please tell your friends about the class. At the moment, the cost is probably going to be under $100 for the seven-week class.

m