November is almost over, and what’s next? I’m still working on my novel, hovering around 30k words, but I’ve made huge strides. The story’s finally where I want it, and I’ve got a few plot points boiling in my head that I can’t wait to try out. I feel free to hit 50k words by Dec 1st, so I’m pushing my deadline to the end of December.
I finished Book #1 of The Scholomance; what a letdown. The plot warbled here and there, the characters felt flat, and the only parts I was really interested had the student-eating monsters.
I’m working on finishing Mastering the Process by Elizabeth George, which is also a big disappointment. I’ve read many books on writing novels, but this one gives general advice and has a ton of filler that just excerpts from one of her novels.
My plans for week five? I want to write about 10k words and finish the story’s climax; I’m thinking of a significant character reveal. How’s your NaNoWriMo going? Are you looking for a writing partner? HMU on nanowrimo.org; my username is alinahappyhansen ?
November is National Novel Writing Month, and it’s a blast! I love the challenge of writing a 50k-word novel in a month, and nanowrimo.org makes the process fun by awarding badges and bringing writing communities together.
Ready to take on National Novel Writing Month? Read on! In this post, I’ll talk about how I prep for NaNoWriMo and provide you with my top two books on writing that I’ve found incredibly useful.
While I love October and spend most of it celebrating Halloween all month long, I also begin my NaNoWriMo prep. I’ve participated every year since 2018 (the same year I wrote my first novel)! During this time, I reread parts of my favorite writing books, stick with my daily writing routine, and read tons of books.
Every year since 2018’s National Novel Writing Month, I’ve dabbled trying to stretch out a few short stories into novels. However, none of them have gripped me like my first novel (which I’m still meticulously editing). For this year, I’m focusing on story ideas I’ve stashed away that I’ve always wanted to try. As usual, I’m going for something supernatural with a handful of tortured monsters (I can’t help myself).
Recommended Writing Books for National Novel Writing Month
Here are my two favorite writing books I highly recommend. These books are perfect for the seasoned writer or newbie. Check them out!
This book is a treasure trove of the how-tos for every single element of creative writing. The story excerpts and exercises are invaluable. I swear that I’ve learned more in Chapter 5: Why You Need to Show and Tell than I did in all the writing courses, I took as an undergraduate. If you love creative writing and want a resource you can dive into head first, order yours today!
My #1 go-to for fiction writing. I came across this book over five years ago, and since then, it’s remained in my “reading pile” on my bedside table. I can’t count how many times I’ve read this book; each chapter is precious. If you’re looking for a book that provides short chapters and short writing practices, this book is for you!
I hope you find these writing books as helpful as I have for National Novel Writing Month. And if you’d like to recommend some of your favorites, leave a comment below!
Did you enjoy this post? Please like and share or leave a comment below with feedback! I’d love to hear from you, and I wish you happy writing this National Novel Writing Month! I’m always looking for other writers. If you’ve got a profile on nanowrimo.org, feel free to connect with me today! My profile username is alinahappyhansen.
Synonymous with romance, poetry is known by most to be a form of communication between lovers. Diving into the depths of adoration, poems can draw on imagery and metaphor to evoke longing. You can convey desire, or even the loss of a loved one in poetry. Like a red red rose, a poem can symbolize love and admiration. So if you’re scratching your head and scrawling “A Poem for My Love” you are not alone.
Gin & Juice and an Obsessed Poet
I’m a poet, a weirdo, and an artist, and I’ve written many love poems for my partner over the years. Poetry I felt was near worthy now lives in hidden places among letters and precious scrapbooks chronicling our life together.
It’s difficult to write poetry, period. But to write poems, say, loves poems for a wife or love poems for a husband may inspire surrender. I’ve thrown out countless poems, shredded scraps, and deleted documents like the FBI was watching because I felt what I wrote was garbage. I’m sure, on some level, it was.
But don’t give up. It’s easy to look up famous love poems and if you’re gutsy, take a crack at writing a rhyming poem, a sonnet, or even a haiku. Doesn’t matter if it’s blank or free verse or just bits and scraps of what you want to say. Write it down, mull over it, make yourself a drink (I’ll take a good pour of gin and a splash of mango juice), and get to it.
Read it over, read your words aloud, mumble them to yourself, try different voices, memorize a few lines and explore where your mind takes you when suddenly you forget what to say next, and something else pops out.
Years ago, Ovid’s love poems were recommended to me when I first started writing love poems. I picked up a used paperback copy and read it front to back. Impressed by the style, vulgar honesty, humor, and true words of deep affection, it’s still one of my favorite collections to reread. Chances are, you’ve been directed to Shakespeare, Robert Burns, and the like, but I don’t have a list for you.
Take my advice in this post and do what you want, but if you feel that you need more help. I’m here to work with you on kissing your lips poems. Let’s write a holding you until sunrise poem or worshipping you forever poem.
If you need another set of eyes from a poet, a writer, and someone dedicated to helping you convey how you feel to your loved ones in a poem, connect with me today. As your poetry mentor, we’ll explore together and make your words come alive.
Interested? Check out my Creative Writing Mentor service, which also includes poetry here. You can learn more about my publications, previous readings, and education by visiting my About page. Want more? Check out my Linktr.ee and get a feel for who I am and what I like to write (poetry first, everything else second).
I’ll be here, waiting and ready, popping open a bottle of cheap Rose and skimming poems of Gary Snyder, Maggie Nelson, and Adrienne Rich. See you soon!
There’s been too much going on, from the war in Ukraine to the January 6th Attack Public Hearings, the continual mass shootings, and Roe v. Wade being overturned. I’ve been walking between two worlds of observations; looking at it all play out during moments of accidental disassociation. A writer left with her thoughts and words simmering in the dark violence that thrives.
I need some tea, I need some time, I need silence.
I haven’t written anything for this blog section since April because I’ve been working through everything that’s going on and making some life changes. But I think many of us are.
COVID-19 is still around, and inflation is now the highest it’s ever been in over four decades. And it doesn’t seem to be letting up. What’s next?
Recently, I recognized that what I’ve been feeling is similar to my state of being in March 2020. I’m watching sand castles get obliterated by a raging storm. And there’s this constant feeling of something preternatural churning below the surface around us.
During long, drawn-out days, it all reverberates through me. The whole world seems to be shattering, and I’m overwhelmed by all the battles. My emotions take the wheel, and I’m a wreck of worry, wondering what’s going to happen.
A Writer Slowing Down: Centering Myself and Quitting My Job
I’ve taken time to slow down and reassess what’s important and what needs to change in my life. This past month, I quit my job and pivoted to part-time ones in different fields.
I am working a couple of freelancing gigs; for one, I’m a freelance writer for a company where I craft SEO blog content for B2B and B2C companies. For the other, I’m doing more and more freelance work via Fiverr, and the uptick in orders has been wild. On top of that, I’m prepping for a part-time assistant role to get me out of the apartment and into the city more.
I realize I’ve been letting stress get the better of me for a few months now, and I can’t afford to let it continue. There’s no point in letting what you can’t control take control of you. But I constantly struggle with this.
All I have are my words and books to get me through this. And at the end of the day, I have to keep writing.
Read My Latest Post About Poetry: How to Come Up With Ideas for Poems in 3 Easy Ways
A gestation period of some sort. I recognize what this country is going through and what’s happening elsewhere; we are living in an era that won’t be forgotten, and it may be years until there is any kind of “peace.”
Some days, I need to word vomit about it until there’s nothing left. But, the trauma of the last two years has compounded with recent events leaving me hollowed out. So I have to cope.
I’ve been pouring over books, freewriting, and just getting lost trying to keep my mind busy. I can’t ignore what’s happening or how it affects me and everyone else; that’s impossible. But, I need small moments of nothingness, of “wasted time,” to reset my mind.
Staying Sane: Reading Poetry and Listening to Music
When times get tough, I only know how to keep it together by doing what I’ve always done: reading, writing, and learning. So here’s what I’ve been absorbing lately.
I’m reading Fog and Light: San Francisco through the Eyes of the Poets Who Live Here. And I’ve already begun putting together my SF July 2022 Spotify playlist.
At the beginning of the month, I finished Two Lives: Gertrude and Alice by Janet Malcolm and wrote a short review on Goodreads. I’m still unsure if I really liked the book or if my skepticism of the couple, specifically Gertrude’s character, was being projected on the book.
These are all fine things, good things I’ve done to keep my mind busy. But there’s no denying that what’s been happening is affecting me.
I’ve been worried about Roe v. Wade being overturned since Trump got into office. And when it finally happened, a numbness swept over me mixed with boiling rage.
With what’s going on, I am lucky I live in California, but I’m devastated. I can’t stop thinking about all the people whose human rights have been stripped across the country. And this is just the beginning.
Now it’s a countdown until they come after everyone who’s fought to have their voice heard, to be recognized and respected by society. If we don’t stand up for fundamental human rights, the boot will continue to smash us deeper into the ground and closer to hell.
In this society, I’m considered less than a human being but just a tool to be used by those in power. But this isn’t new, this has always been happening, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to see my rights gradually be stripped away during my life just because I’m a woman.
Joan Didion has been on my mind. Her work in the 60s was revolutionary. Her journalism, style, and voice are still strong, and I keep looking back because now the past feels like it’s come back from the dead. How can I balance writing and having something to say while dealing with the absolute turmoil of what’s going on?
It sucks.
And there’s nothing left to do but to go on. To keep going and see it all through. What I’m writing may warble and show signs of my emotional wear, but it’s the best I can do.
