This Year Will be Different

A week ago, I was undecided about participating in National Novel Writing Month.  Writing about it for the Road Trip helped with the decision.  How could I not?

Today, I'm so excited for November to begin.

My two previous NaNos, 2009 and 2010, I started with these - a setting and a main character.  I sat down on those first nights and had no clue what I was about to write.

This year I've got so much more.  Characters, setting, big picture plot points, even a character arc. I have an opening scene in mind and I'm having trouble not writing this thing! 

I also have a huge list of things I need to do before November 1st when I kick my daily writing habit up a notch:

1. Finish my draft of WAITING FOR THE SUN.  I'm so close.  I'll need a break from it before I start revisions, so it's perfect timing.

2. Read RUBY RED again before SAPPHIRE BLUE is released next week.

3. Read SAPPHIRE BLUE.

4. Address several "problem areas" in my home.  Clutter equals creativity, in my humble opinion, but it stresses my husband out a bit.  So I thought I'd eliminate some of the clutter before November.  I didn't think it would be possible to de-prioritize housework any more than I already do, but guess what?  I was wrong.  My family will be lucky to have clean clothes next month.

5.  MNYA Writers meet on Saturday morning and I've got two manuscripts to critique before then.

6.  Lots of family stuff -- it's almost Halloween, after all.  Toad wanted to have a fall carnival in the neighborhood, but rather than put on our own, we partnered with my friend and photographer, Maris Ehlers, for her Goblins for Groceries event at her studio on Saturday.  Sunday is a birthday party and Trunk-n-Treat at church, plus football, of course.

Wait a minute.  HOW many days do I have to get this all done?

Gotta go. 

(What's on your to-do list this week?)