Thankful #2 M&M

I was taking a much needed break from all things NaNo to catch up on blogs I follow when I stumbled upon a great post by Brenda Drake.  She's hosting a Thanksgiving Blog Hop where you post things you are thankful for in your life.  Now I'm a little late to the party, but couldn't resist joining in anyway.  It's a great way to focus on all the wonderful things in our lives.

Thankful #2

Although I do love M&M candy, that's not what I'm talking about here.  I'm referring to my critique group.  This is actually an extension of my #1 because the members of my critique group are also two great writers in my family.

Maribeth

Not that it needs to be said, but she looks nothing like this.  

My sister-in-law Maribeth was the one who got me back into writing again.  I got away from it years ago when I had kids and was working full time.  I didn't realize how much I missed it and I will be eternally grateful to her for bringing this part of myself back to me.  

  Maribeth is such a great critique partner.  She has fresh, new ideas and a great outlook on all things in life.  She's extremely honest and encouraging about my writing.  She helps me be a better writer and person.

Michael

He actually does look a little like this, especially when he reads some of my work.

My son Michael and I have become a lot closer since we've been working in the critique group together.  We have totally different styles and ideas, but I love hearing his thoughts.  He's always loved to read and devours books on any and all subjects.  This gives him a great perspective that our group finds extremely valuable.   

Michael and I grew apart, as is common, when he became a teenager.  Now, we've connected again and I'm always in awe of his intelligence.  He is very straight forward and keeps us on our toes.

Even though our busy lives keep us from meeting as often as we'd like, I know I can call on both of them when I have a writing problem.  They always make time to help me when I need it.  

I am thankful that they help me fight the battles I face on the way to creating a great story.

*Images from Google Search M&M

Thanksgivingl Blog Hop

I was taking a much needed break from all things NaNo to catch up on blogs I follow when I stumbled upon a great post by Brenda Drake.  She's hosting a Thanksgiving Blog Hop where you post things you are thankful for in your life.  Now I'm a little late to the party, but couldn't resist joining in anyway.  It's a great way to focus on all the wonderful things in our lives.

There's nothing I'm more thankful for in my life than my family.  I have a loving husband and two great sons that are the center of my world.  They've made my life complete.

But my family doesn't stop there.  I'm from a large Italian family and I married into an even larger Italian family (didn't think that was possible).  Our tree has many branches, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

We are a close knit group.  Most of us live within a few blocks of each other ( the others are about a five to ten minute car ride away) and it works for us.  There's nothing like having a strong support system of people who love you.  I'm so thankful for my BIG ITALIAN FAMILY!  

NaNoWriMo Writing Tips

*Clear throat and use deep announcer's voice*

Hear ye, hear ye!  I have searched far and wide for tidbits of knowledge that can help accomplish the task of completing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.  I have found some excellent tips for those of you brave enough to take on the beast.  Just click below and you too will reveal the secrets to victory.

• http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/nanowrimo-writing-tips-in-a-single-post_b60041
• http://ninidee.wordpress.com/2012/11/01/happy-nanowrimo/
• http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-resources.html?spref=bl
• http://suzanbutler.com/2012/11/week-two-nanowrimo-blues-no-problem/
• http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/novelwriting/tp/nanowrimotips.htm

As we approach the mid-mark of this journey, I am behind my goal (currently at about 12,000 words).  But, it is time to regroup and move forward using the sites above as inspiration. 

*Holding a pen above my head like a sword*

 "We shall be victorious!"

Are you staying on target with your writing goals?  What tips do you use when you're writing?

NaNoWriMo:WRITE NOW!

It's that time again novelists, NaNoWriMo.  For those of you who don't know what that means, it's where author's write 50,000 words in the 30 days of November.  For those of us who do it, it means hours bent over our keyboards, frozen dinners, dirty houses, and mega-sized caffeine drinks...and WE LOVE IT!

There comes a sense of accomplishment in creating a novel, or at least a large portion of your story, in one month.  

Now to do this, you have to stay on a schedule.  Of course, me being me, I'm already a bit behind (and it's only day 3!).  But, the point of doing this is to just keep writing and don't give up.  That's exactly what I'm going to do starting NOW!

I'll be posting my progress on this blog to let you know how it's going.  This is just a little added incentive for me to keep on track.  

So fellow NaNoWriMo writers, what are you doing to keep your writing on track?  

Those of you who don't write, how do you challenge yourself in what you love to do?

Good Luck to all my writer friends.  See you on the other side!