The Eve of NaNoWriMo

OK, so I'm really going to do this! I am going to write a novel in a month! And isn't it appropriate that the eve of NaNoWriMo would be Halloween--that time of year when we seek out the object of our fears for the fun of it! Very much akin to NaNoWriMo.

So, starting tomorrow, I will join thousands of writers across the world, each on a personal quest to write 50,000 words over 30 days for National Novel Writing Month. That's nearly 1700 words per day!

I am taking this brief opportunity to notify my very small audience of followers that my blog entries will be sporadic at best over the next 30 days. I will attempt to post updates and observations on my experience with NaNoWriMo, as I believe they will be full of folly and fodder. I promise not to bore you, but to instead entertain you through small doses of my escapades in novel writing.

I just took a break from working on my book outline. My first step in that process was to create a "character arc." (see below)

I will refer back to the character arc throughout my writing to make sure my main character is experiencing a sufficient amount of turmoil and drama throughout the story. It's sort of like a roller coaster ride--for the character and me!

For my freakishly observant followers, yes, this version of the character arc is backwards. I took the roller coaster pic using PhotoBooth on my MacBook Air. I know...I think it's cool, too!

And this is my work space -- evidence of the organized chaos I've just welcomed into my world. Can you say glutton for punishment! To do what I do, this space and these tools are my bare essentials; though, their individual order of importance shifts depending on my mood--it's my prerogative.

1. MacBook Air laptop (my electronic love)
2. Journals (yes, multiples)
3. Greta Garbo writing instrument (a reminder to do all things with confidence)
4. Book In A Month guide (my crutch)
5. Writing Children's Books for Dummies (my guide)
6. COFFEE!! (my lifeline)
7. Snacks (see yogurt cup sandwiched between laptop and pens--no explanation necessary)
8. My ceramic baby doll with one lost shoe (my muse)
9. A large supply of post-it notes (say hello to my little friend)
10. Books, books, books, and more books (my inspiration)
11. My new Flip cam for the occasional video posting describing my NaNoWriMo experience. WARNING to potential viewers--it might not be pretty ;-).

I hope you'll stop by during the next month to check my pulse and my caffeine intake, or to just witness the wonder of writing for an aspiring author. And if you're curious about NaNoWriMo, find out more on the website at www.nanowrimo.org. Enjoy!

Always, Athena

Top 10 SCBWI Observations--I Found My Tribe

Last Saturday, I attended my first children's book writers conference in Northern Virginia. I was nervous and exhilarated all at once. There were published authors, self-published authors, aspiring authors, illustrators, publishers, agents, editors, all eager to connect and learn more. My top ten initial observations were as follows:

1. This is clearly an industry dominated by women. Two thumbs up!

2. Everyone was genuinely friendly and eager to share experience and advice.

3. There was no overt sense of competition.

4. We like to eat--all kinds of food!

5. Of all the attendees, approximately 10 were men; one African-American.
6. Of all the female attendees, approximately 15 were minority women--diversity is craved and welcomed.
7. Many of the participants appeared not to be inclined to join the digital age; many that were joining were "kicking and screaming" their way into it. **Of course, I jumped in head first with a website, Twitter, and a blog--I was the unofficial digital advocate throughout the conference.**
8. Getting a book published doesn't make a lot of economic sense but offers an overdose of profound accomplishment.
9. Once you publish a book, it belongs to the reader.
10. Finding time to write is NOT indulgent; it is the bare essential that nurtures your craft.
BONUS: In the words of author Lisa Yee, "I found my tribe."

Stay tuned for posts on my MS feedback (including a pic with my author/advisor), notes from the funny and insightful keynote speaker, and advice on seeking out an agent--straight from the mouths of agents.

Always, Athena

SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Fall Conference

Tomorrow I'll join hundreds of children's book authors and aspiring authors for my first writer's conference. I will meet with Mary Quattlebaum, author of 18 award-winning picture books, poetry books, and middle grade novels, and she will give me feedback on my first manuscript, Flower Girl Princess. Needless to say, I am nervous and excited. So, I'm spending the evening crafting my pitch, revising my manuscript (again), and researching the faculty for tomorrow's fall conference. I will be posting a recap of my first conference experience in a couple of days--who I met, what Ms. Quattlebaum advised, and what I learned. Wish me luck...happy reading!

Always, Athena