It was a busy, BUSY year for me. I finished up some intense “schooling,” and I spent a good portion of time on the East coast to get it all complete. Because of it, I let my writing slide for the duration. I only had so much to give and was at a point where everything would suffer (home, work, school, AND writing) if I pushed that hard. So I took a break. Now I am back, and what timing!

As I was unpacking at home, I began to get the emails: Start preparing for NaNoWriMo! Woohoo! What better way to jump back into it again than to participate in the National Novel Writing Month competition (NaNoWriMo)?

After the long hiatus from my novel due to school, work, and travel I am ready to jump start my writing again. National Novel Writing Month is a great way to get motivated, write a lot of words, and take part in the writer community. No matter what your level of skill or accomplishment.

For more information, you can check out my post from last year here or check out their website at nanowrimo.org (link will open in a new tab).

If you are interested in signing up, you and I can become virtual friends on their website! My username is CGRaye and just send me a request and let me know you are from my website. We can go through the struggle (and fun) together! If you have any problems, the staff there is highly motivated. Or, if you are more adventurous, you can just email me at rayethomas@rayethomaswritings.com, and we can figure it out together.

To be honest, I was a little let down when I realized that NaNoWriMo doesn’t kick off until November. I wanted to get started now! So I devised a plan. First, I had stopped my current story near its midpoint, (for all the reasons mentioned earlier) so I would focus on adding to that story for the competition. I know that is not allowed in the official “competition” part, but I am not in it to win their prize. I just like the camaraderie and the added push to sit down and write.

The second part of my plan is a bit more different. The story I have been working on takes place in New Zealand (always wanted to go there!) in the early 1800s. It is an adventure tale with some unexpected twists in it. I enjoyed working on it, and like I said, I am anxious to get back at it. The problem is, getting back into the flow. That brings me to the really cool second part of my plan. It is something a bit new for me, but it has me excited! I think it is something you will like too, but I am not quite ready to unveil it just yet.

Next week (maybe earlier?) I’ll let you know what it is and I think you are really going to like it!

See you then!