Category Archives: NaNoWriMo

Shore leave ends

Last night I finished The Secret Commonwealth (Vol 2 of Pullman’s follow-up series to His Dark Materials) and sent it back (virtually, and virtuously) to the NYPL. By now, another patient reader has begun this dark and compelling tale. I … Continue reading

Posted in Adventure, Am reading, Am revising, Fantasy, NaNoWriMo, Seafaring, short stories | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Steampunk typewriter

I bet you’re wondering about the title for this post. Well, feast your eyes on this: Ooh, ooh! Let me give the prototype a test-run! Note that it can clock your typing speed, keep an eye on your verb tenses, … Continue reading

Posted in Am reading, Am writing, NaNoWriMo | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Am writing, am reading, am really really busy

12 days into November, and I’m on track to finish NaNoWriMo well ahead of the deadline. It’s amazing how much I can accomplish when I have to. The reason I have to: I start a 2½-week trip on 24 November, … Continue reading

Posted in Adventure, Am reading, Am writing, NaNoWriMo, Seafaring | Tagged | 8 Comments

NaNoWriMo 2019 — Oh, it’s on!

Last night I went to bed convinced that I’d skip NaNo this year — with no new ideas and 4 (maybe 5? I’ve lost count) unfinished WIPs, it seemed pointless to start a new one. But I woke up this … Continue reading

Posted in Am writing, NaNoWriMo | 2 Comments

Coasting

Unlike Mr Earbrass when he finished his first draft of TUH, I didn’t spend the day after just wandering aimlessly through my apartment, although that was tempting. Usually I give myself a month’s break, but this year is different — … Continue reading

Posted in Am procrastinating, NaNoWriMo | Leave a comment

And that wraps up another NaNo

I crossed the finish line at 9:30 am NYC time, and what a wonderful feeling that is. I now have a first draft, and I get to spend the rest of the day feeling like I’ve done something. Here’s Mr. … Continue reading

Posted in Am writing, NaNoWriMo | 4 Comments

Back on track

Good news: My NaNo funk, version 2018, has ended, and I’ve used the last 4 days to push myself past 45K words. It’s not exactly all downhill from here, but the end is nigh. And by that, I mean the … Continue reading

Posted in Am writing, NaNoWriMo | 2 Comments

Who’s big idea was this anyway?

“On November 18th of alternate years Mr Earbrass begins writing ‘his new novel’.” Did Edward Gorey predict NaNoWriMo? Probably not, but every November I have to reread The Unstrung Harp, to remind myself that every stage of the creative process is … Continue reading

Posted in Am procrastinating, Am writing, NaNoWriMo | 4 Comments

NBN Time

NBN = Nothing But NaNoWriMo, and that’s what I’m doing this month. Although “nothing” isn’t strictly true. I’m still reading like a fiend, still working crossword puzzles (addiction #2), still getting outside to museums (this week to the Armenian exhibit … Continue reading

Posted in Am writing, NaNoWriMo, Science fiction | 4 Comments

Winning isn’t everything

Here I am again, the good side of NaNoWriMo’s finish line. I’m far from the first to cross it, and in just 2 more days, a few hundred thousand other writers across the globe will have joined us. It’s a … Continue reading

Posted in Am writing, Fantasy, Kenning Magic, NaNoWriMo, YA Lit | Leave a comment