Anticipating NaNoWriMo

Ever get so caught up in the excitement and anticipation of doing something that you can’t contain yourself long enough to take the steps necessary for it to succeed?

Yeah. Me too.

Today that thing is National Novel Writing Month, affectionately known as NaNoWriMo.

I did my first one in 2012. No, I did not “win” by reaching the goal of 50,000 words, but I did write way more than I otherwise would've in that time. 2013 was a passing blur and I don’t remember why I missed the fun, but I’m all in for 2014.

So…

v  Wish me luck. If I remember correctly, that works out to 1666 words a day.

v  Hold those tea, lunch, dinner, movie, play, ballgame, dance, etcetera invites until December 1st. Starting Saturday, and for the following twenty-nine days, other than time spent working, I will be writing.

v  Be my cheerleader. All positive reinforcement is welcome and needed, including, but not limited to: attagirls, balloon bouquets, singing telegrams, social media plugs, prayers, flowers, good thoughts, inspirational texts, celebration parties, chocolate, green tea, flannel pajamas and fuzzy socks.

v  Follow me (or friend me) on Facebook. I’ll post occasional updates there, as well as here at That Rebel.

v  If you’re a writer and are interested in writing a novel in thirty days, join us for NaNoWriMo.

v  If you are doing NaNo, consider joining us on Facebook. It is a private group, so if interested, leave a message in the comments below or tag me on Facebook and I’ll add you.

There. With any luck at all, I can focus now. I have a few scenes to finish for Book One before I push on to Book Two, which means finishing by Friday. (Of course, if not, it will wait until December.)

Huzzah!

~ Olivia J. Herrell, October 28, 2014

Connections and Coincidence

Courtesy PDPhoto.org

Don’t you just love life and all its twists and turns? Today I find myself seated at a familiar booth in Johnny’s, munching a slice of pizza and indulging a Coke addiction that, when I take it out to look, has its roots in this town, the town that Asa Candler was born in and left: thirty-five miles and aeons west of Atlanta, in the rolling hills of northwest Georgia.

It molded him, this place, nurtured him until he could strike out for the big city to meet Pemberton and build an empire that still dominates the world. When I think about Peace Makers (a novel that’s been in-process for the last four years) in this context, I get goose bumps. Much of it has been written just blocks from where he would've lived. Will I, like Asa, have to leave to find my happy ending?

Oddly enough, there are other connections. By happenstance, the novel is set in Druid Hills, an Atlanta community that Candler helped build, featuring tree-lined streets and delightful linear parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Emory University, to which the Coke magnate donated land and monies is the backdrop for at least one chapter and rates mention in several others. The Candler Building, a marvel of fantastical design, appears as the locale for another scene in downtown Atlanta.

Mere coincidence? A twist of fate? Maybe. But maybe not. Whatever the answer, it's something to ponder on a fine day in October in these red-clay hills of Georgia.

October 18, 2014

~ Olivia J. Herrell