Tag: nanowrimo

NaNoWriMo2024: Poetry, Music and More

Alina H. Hansen Writer & Poet

NaNoWriMo is here, and for the first time in six months, I’ve decided not to work on a novel this month. Instead, I’m putting together a poetry collection of at least 10k words. I don’t like the idea of assigning a word count to a poetry collection, but it is a good place to start.

So far, the word count is around 356, and I’ve started on four poems. What I like about this idea is that I want to push my poetry into a new direction, more prose-like and with a storyline like a vignette or a novella-type creation.

While I’m working on this, I’ve been reading Dorianne Laux’s Finger Exercises for Poets, and it’s already helped me explore new ways to compile fragments of poems and build my dictionary of specific words that represent my world, my past, present, and future. What I value is Laux’s emphasis on incorporating all of the senses in poems and finding one’s own persona—the persona, voice, distinctive to a poet that takes time and work to develop.

At the same time, I’ve held off on posting any updates on my blog for a while, but finally, I’ll let you in on a little secret. I started graduate school and am close to finishing my first semester. I’m working on a Master’s in Library and Information Science from SJSU.

I’ve wanted to work on this degree since I graduated college in 2018, but I finally took the plunge this year, and it’s been fantastic. I’m a part-time student since I’m still working full-time, but so far, it’s been a good balance between the two.

Graduate school is a different experience than undergraduate school. The workload is heavier, and the studies are more complex and focused. I’ve always been drawn to this type of academic study, and now I’m wondering if pursuing a PhD in Library and Information Science after this may be a good fit for me.

Besides NaNoWriMo, which is now my poetry writing month, I’m listening to Nine Inch Nail’s Ghosts VI: Locusts album, watching Only Murders in the Building, and bracing for another four years of Trump. Why does it feel like I’m living in The Twilight Zone?

I could write a whole other blog post on the anxiety and other emotions I have when it comes to the outcome of the election, but at this point, what does it matter to expend energy on that topic in that way? Maybe I will eventually, but not today.

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo24? If so, I want to hear from you. Leave a comment below, and let’s connect!

The featured image for this post was generated by AI – what do you think?

NaNoWriMo23: End of Week Three

Alina H. Hansen Writer & Poet

The city is taking down the fences and blockades for APEC, and I’m relieved. The past week there was an undercurrent of tension pulsing through the city (huge understatement). We all need a break, some space, and just a moment to take a breath.

This week I wrote here and there and tried to read as much as possible. I’m still reading Kingdom of the Cursed and just got my copy of Daughter of The Moon Goddess (I’ve been waiting months for a copy through my library!).

Today, my goal is to write another chapter of my NaNoWriMo project and hopefully squeeze in a couple of hours of reading. I’ve been thinking more about writing poetry and have some images in mind that I want to explore; a blend of natural elements and usual existential crises so I may jot down a few ideas later too.

I’m also going to watch The Killer with my partner (hopefully tonight) and, if possible, play a bit of Hogwarts Legacy – I’m nearly level 37 and curious how I get my hands on Merlin’s robe.

What are you reading? Are you working on a writing project for NaNoWriMo? Leave a comment below. I want to hear from you.

Thank you for reading!

NaNoWriMo23: End of Week Two

Alina H. Hansen Writer & Poet

It’s a cold, crisp Sunday morning. There is a reassuring calm to the quiet streets even though APEC starts soon.

Dry, crunchy leaves litter the sidewalk. My Boston Terrier stops to sniff a lamp post.

The sky is a vibrant blue, speckled with cream-colored clouds, providing a pleasing stark contrast to the looming buildings downtown.

It’s the end of week two of NaNoWriMo23 and I haven’t made much progress. I’ve done enough thinking about my book but had little time to write another chapter this week.

At the minimum, I’ve been completing more of my daily writing goal (minimum 3k words) either in the morning before I leave for work or after I get home. This is helping me stretch my writing legs for the weekend when I do the majority of my writing.

Today, my goal is to write a chapter, researching freelance opportunities, and will probably sneak in some time to play Hogwarts Legacy (finished Herodiana’s Puzzles yesterday).

How’s your writing progress going for NaNoWriMo23? Leave a comment, or you can find me at NaNoWriMo.

What else have I been up to? Going to Lori’s Diner, seeing What Happens Later, and racing to finish No Time to Spare.

Here’s to another week! Thank you for reading.

Winter in San Francisco: A Writer’s Second Year

Alina H. Hansen Writer & Poet

It’s a quiet Sunday morning, and our Boston Terrier, Nora, is in a deep sleep. Curled up on the bed, her eyes twitch, and she huffs and gives a little bark. What’s she dreaming about?

The window is open, and the brisk 50-something air creeps into our apartment. It hasn’t rained in more than a week, and I’ve been enjoying my second chilly yet sunny winter in San Francisco. I’ve been taking long walks in North Beach and Chinatown, and last week took Clay Street all the way to the Ferry Building, where I hung out and read by the water. I can’t say it enough, I love this city.

Now as 2022 is easing into 2023, I’m hoping next year won’t be as chaotic. Approaching the third-year anniversary of the Pandemic and I can’t help but feel like I’m wedged somewhere between whiplash and a gnarly hangover.

white wooden framed glass window
Photo by Nida on Pexels.com

It’s not even ten in the morning but I’ve already gone to store and stocked up on groceries for the week. I’m sit with my cup of cold green tea wondering if I should take a stab at writing 1,600 words of my new novel today (about 2/3rds done) or if I should try to scribble out a poem or two. But honestly, I want to read.

I’ve been reading constantly for the past few weeks, blasting through a few 300-something-page novels, and catching up on the most recent issues of Poetry Magazine. My reading goal for 2022 was to read 25 books, I’m behind, but it’s not as bad as I would’ve thought (18 books read). It’s an itch I need to scratch, and I know I could spend the next few hours getting lost in a book or two. What am I reading?

Books on Writing Novels and Feminist Literature

Still Mad: American Women Writers and the Feminist Imagination

Novelist as a Vocation

Mastering the Process: From Idea to Novel

gift boxes under festive tree
Photo by Olena Bohovyk on Pexels.com

What are my plans for the holidays? Staying home, writing, and reading more books. I’ve settled into a nice rhythm with reading, and I feel like I could quickly begin reading as much as I did in college (4-5 books a month).

This slow winter month feels like a gestation period. I’m thinking of new ideas and trying to wrap up chapters of my NaNoWriMo22 novel (no, I didn’t finish it by November 30th, and that’s alright). There’s been a lot of progress and I feel like I’m levelheaded enough to take on a big project or even start an online course on top of everything else I’m doing.

Recent obsessions? Cooking. I’ve been watching a few shows and would love to take a class, really learn how to properly chop up vegetables would be helpful.

person slicing vegetables on chopping board
Photo by Kristina Snowasp on Pexels.com

My favorite meal this week: Surprise! It’s ramen

Nongshim Shin Ramyum cooked with baby bok choy and a handful of sliced white mushrooms and topped with an over-easy egg.

What am I drinking? Wassail and gin.

While I’m not reading, working, or deep in a writing jaunt, I’m listening to music a few hours a day.

What am I listening to this week? Here’s a link to my SF Dec(ember) 2022 playlist. Some old and some new stuff but really it’s a certain atmosphere that I’m going for when I’m putting together a monthly playlist.

Are you writing or reading anything fun? I want to know. Leave a comment below!

Thank you for reading, and I wish you Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

decor and confetti on the floor
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

If you’re a writer looking for a Beta Reader, I can help. Check out my Alpha/Beta Reading service here. Questions? You can message me on Fiverr 🙂

NaNoWriMo2022: End of Week Four

Alina H. Hansen Writer & Poet

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 ?