Day 1 of NaNoWriMo: Whew! Crisis Averted

Today is the 1st day of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and I almost had a crisis on my hands. (I blogged about it yesterday.) 

I--almost--ran--out--of--coffee!!! 

This is enough to bring panic. 

Well, I went to the store this morning and was able to avert the crisis. Whew. I also grabbed a few more things that I really didn't need, mind you. Sigh. But, I am going to have a really good lunch. It's in the oven as we speak. 

Now, I need to get busy writing again.

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo Day 1 Tips

I recommend writing as fast as you can and as much as you can in 15 minute chunks. (I average 500 words when I do this--to help give you an example of word count.)

15 minute writing chunks are the key. Anyone can focus for 15 minutes. It isn't too much and decreases the chances are you'll get sidetracked or distracted. 

30 minute chunks tend to be too long (for the reasons I just mentioned).

Then,a t the end of the 15 minute chunk, get up. Walk around. Move. Do something else for a couple of minutes. Drink a glass of water ( This is not just a suggestion. It helps.). Grab a snack and/or some coffee or tea. Then, go sit back down. Check email, write a blog post, or whatever--for 5-15 minutes (depending on how much time you have to write today). Then, get back at it. Do another 15 minute chunk. Do this until you have reached your word count goal of the day.

This is an approach I have employed for years and it works brilliantly. Give it a try. 

I also recommend this with any time you do writing, even if it isn't NaNoWriMo. It works really well. 

Stacy Duplease

Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

How NOT to start NaNoWriMo

Oh, no!!! (Do you hear the panic in my voice?)

I just went to the kitchen to make more coffee. I'm almost out! (I NEVER run out of coffee. Never.) This is a BAD thing normally. With starting NaNoWriMo tomorrow, it's really, really bad. 

I guess I will be getting some more later tonight or tomorrow.

Coffee= happiness and serenity.

No coffee = Weirdness

Note to self for next year: Check coffee situation one week before NaNoWriMo starts. Have enough on hand for entire month of November.

And yes, I tend to be overly dramatic at times.

(Image credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

No Whitespace Writing Cheatsheet

This is one of the best writing resources I have ever found. Check it out at:

http://www.nowhitespace.org/writing/cheatsheet.pdf

If you are a writer, particularly doing NaNoWriMo, you'll want to look at this. It's fabulous and useful.

Print it out, carry it with you, and save on your computer.

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

The Chronicler of Roanoke & The Family Treez of the USA Series Synopsis

A Thriller Historical Fiction Novel.
The Family Treez of the USA Series Book #1.

Series Synopsis: 
The Family Treez of the USA Series tells the story of a real-life family with secrets and great influence in the world. Reina risks her life as she searches for answers and tries to uncover fact vs. myth. History must be learned from and uncovered. The family can be traced from Nero and Charlemagne. 

Novel Synopsis:

??? (Will update soon.)

Side-Note:
The picture on the book cover is taken from Fort Raleigh, where they think the original fort was of the Lost Colony of Roanoke at Roanoke Island, North Carolina. (Image Credit: Stacy Duplease. October 2012.)

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo Starts Tomorrow

National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo or NaNo, starts tomorrow. I am participating again and have since 2009. So, this is my 4th year.

I am a pantser, meaning I do not outline. I like to fly by the seat of my pants as I write. I've tried outlining and planning, but my ideas get stifled. I have a general idea as to where I am going, that way I do not get too off course, but that's it. I love the writing process and seeing where I am led by my muse (God). 

I, also, enjoy pushing myself--and NaNoWriMo sure does that! This year, my daily writing goal (Monday-Friday, excluding Thanksgiving and the day after) is 4,500 per day. 

The book I am writing is: 

THE CHRONICLER OF ROANOKE: 

THE FAMILY TREEZ OF THE USA SERIES, BOOK #1

I am using the program: Yarny to write this novel. (See http://yarny.me) 

ADVICE TO ANYONE TRYING NANOWRIMO

Cut yourself grace. NaNoWriMo is meant to push you with your writing. But, that does not mean you need to stress yourself out. 

Do NOT doubt. Have faith in yourself. You CAN do this. (Repeat that as often as necessary.)

NaNoWriMo is meant to be fun. So, make it fun. Make it memorable.

Experiment. Try something new.

Do not forget your other priorities as you write. Make sure you still spend time with God, family, and job. Do not lose the month of November with making memories. Your priorities are far more important than NaNoWriMo. (This also helps keep NaNoWriMo stress and anxiety lowered.)

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo: Two Days and Counting!

http://hoosierink.blogspot.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-two-days-and-counting.html
Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

NaNoOhNo

http://wa.emergent-publishing.com/2012/10/nanoohno/

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

New tip of the day posted from Writing 21st Century Fiction by Donald Maass!

http://www.facebook.com/writersdigest/posts/460057870703784

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

NaNoWriMo Support Group

http://community.harlequin.com/showthread.php/775-NaNoWriMo-Support-Group

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

Prayers for Hurricane Sandy Victims

http://nikonsniper.blogspot.com/2012/10/prayers-for-hurricane-sandy-victims.html

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

This Day (Hurricane Sandy Edition)

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/encyclopediavirginia/HMGa/~3/jK3KgTADQlM/

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

NaNoWriMo is Almost Here

http://writingfictionblog.com/2012/10/30/nanowrimo-is-almost-here/

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

Ask NaNoWriMo: To Plan or Not to Plan, and Missing Kitties

http://blog.lettersandlight.org/post/34659964847

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

NaNoWriMo's Map to November

http://blog.lettersandlight.org/post/34639667645

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

NaNoWriMo Without Power

http://blog.lettersandlight.org/post/34585443512

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

The Latest Hurricane News, Writing News, and NaNoWriMo Preparation and Countdown

Hurricane Sandy News and the Duplease Household

Our yards and garages flooded, but no water came anywhere close to getting in our house. Our house is built up, though, thank God. 

Hurricane Sandy Prayers

My prayers are with all of the people, cities ,and states who have been impacted by Sandy. God bless you and guide you as to what to do from here and as you recover from this Frankenstorm. 

Writing News

There is something about being cooped up with nowhere to go--hours on end--days on end. It will either drive you crazy--or might stir your muse. The time of the Frankenstorm, Hurricane Sandy, stirred my muse. I determined, I could worry--or I could make the time useful to me. 

Also, my husband and I went on a TV show and mini-series marathon--where I was inspired--and this added to the working of my muse. The time, TV Shows, and mini-series gave me ideas. 

NaNoWriMo

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) starts on 01 November 2012... So, that's a day away (almost). Yay! Can't wait.

Now that I was inspired, I know even more as to where my novel, THE CHRONICLER OF ROANOKE: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1 is headed. that's a good thing. 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Yesterday

This is a picture of our front yard yesterday morning. No water got inside the house. Sure, our garages had water, but our cars are okay.

Things could have been so much worse.

We are humbled.

So far so good

Just wanted to let you know we are okay. More tomorrow.

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

Setting the Scene: Openings that Orient

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/darcypattison/kUZP/~3/ITvb2If3l8U/

Random House and Penguin Merge to Take on Digital Publishing Market

http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/SaQxHxEi3lk/

Writing Setting as Character: Paint a Storm

http://godsonggrace.blogspot.com/2012/10/writing-setting-as-character-paint-storm.html

‘Frankenstorm’ Officially Added to English Lexicon

http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/KKHBpQkn9OQ/

Here’s Proof That Hurricane Sandy Is Nothing Like Irene

http://feeds.mashable.com/~r/Mashable/~3/EU0cUzwoglE/

Incredible Satellite Photo Reveals the Massive Size of Hurricane Sandy

http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/10/29/incredible-satellite-photo-reveals-the-massive-size-of-hurricane-sandy/

Lessons from a NaNo Winner: #9 -- Forget Craft

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ReadinNWritinWithPatricia/~3/fBhp3PpRVpk/lessons-from-nano-winner-9-forget-craft.html

5 Tips to Speed Up Your Writing and Skyrocket Your Quality

http://writetodone.com/2012/10/29/5-tips-to-speed-up-your-writing-and-skyrocket-your-quality/

That is our front yard.

Lotsa water at high tide.

A Writer's Weapons

http://writerswrite.posterous.com/a-writers-weapons

Latest News

We have drainage ditches along the side and front of our yard. This morning, after wind and rain all night, they were full. They drained during the day as the wind and rain died down.

Well... the storm hit about half an hour ago. Fierce wind and rain. Around 1130, it be worse, according to the news.

So far so good. But it has definitely hit.

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire