November 2013.

This was the November I threw down the gauntlet, and decided to embark on the epic journey of NaNoWriMo (for non-writers, that’s National Novel Writing Month, held every November. Participants take on the challenge to write 50,000 words in thirty days).

On this blog, I chronicled my journey. I am sharing them again (see below) because they might be instructive to others as they prepare to batten down the hatches and take on the challenge.

I re-read through these briefly, and was surprised by how momentous November 2013 was in my life. Here are some of the highlights of things that happened, surprised me, or entertain me:

• I created about the Creative-O-Meter. I think it’s a useful tool.

• I was really excited about the Day of the Doctor, the 50th Anniversary Doctor Who special, and, apparently, had been watching a lot of Doctor Who. (Man. The Day of the Doctor is fantastic.)

• During November 2013, Disney announced the release date of Star Wars Episode VII. I might still be a bit excited. That’s also a long time to wait for a movie – approximately 750 days! And we only have just less than 60!

• I had the flu, twice.

• My brother received his call to an LDS mission in Oklahoma. You can read about his adventures here. (Also, today’s his birthday!)

• I applied to graduate school (SPOILER ALERT: I got in, which is why I didn’t do NaNoWriMo in 2014, nor am doing it this year. I need some time to sleep. We’ll see what 2016 brings.)

• The True Bride and the Shoemaker was in the Beta Reading stage, which was a huge step. Now – which, I imagine you’ve noticed – it’s out in the public (Graduate school really slows down the publication process).

• My NaNoWriMo project, The Lady and the Frog, is just entering the Beta Reading stage. Everything has now come full circle! (If you’re interested in Beta Reading, contact me at lpalmer@lpalmerchronicles.com)

Below are my adventures in NaNoWriMo in chronological order:

The Adventures of NaNoWriMo: Episode 1

Adventures In NaNoWriMo – Episode 2 (Also, Introducing the Creative-O-Meter)

NaNoWriMo – Episode 3 – Fighting The Flu

Adventures In NaNoWriMo: Episode 4 – This Is Supposed To Be Fun.

Adventures In NaNoWriMo – I did it!

Adventures In NaNoWriMo – A Writerly Reflection

I’m still proud I accomplished NaNoWriMo, and I think I’ll do it again someday – when I don’t have two major exams during the month, and have to drive 20 hours round trip to go home for Thanksgiving break.

However, for you who are brave to venture into these waters, I salute you and wish you luck.

• Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this month? If so, what’s your project? If not, why?
• What is more daunting? Completing 50,000 words of a novel, or successfully baking a turkey for Thanksgiving?
• If you were to write an epic fantasy or sci-fi adventure about Thanksgiving for NaNoWriMo, what would be your pitch and/or title?

Side Note 1: I have a new feature coming soon on the blog. If you’re an author of clean sci-fi/fantasy books (that’s PG to PG-13ish range), e-mail me at lpalmer@lpalmerchronicles.com.

Side Note 2: The next few months have some exciting media happenings. The two I’m most excited about are (1) Star Wars Episode VII (obviously) and (2) Adele’s new album “25”. What are you most excited about? Fill out the poll below.