And the winner is…..ME!

That’s right, I won NaNoWriMo! <little dance> I surpassed the 50,000 word quota and although I’m nowhere near having a completed work I am thrilled to have written so much this month!

I do want to point out that I did not attempt to write a novel, but instead wrote….<shhhh>…nonfiction. <GASP!> I know, but I’ve lately been much more interested in the real stories of others and therefore decided to write/type some of my own. (By the way, if you’re thinking of what to get me for the holidays I’d love a story from your life.) At this point I have basically three (although more may be added) short stories from my life. They share similar themes and maybe, someday, will be compiled in a properly bound book that one can hold. There is much more to be written and much editing to do, but who cares. The process has been fun! So fun I’m going to continue working on it!

I’d like to thank all of those who supported me through this challenge, especially my biggest cheerleader Jim. I love you and your support of my writing and meeting goals I set for myself. You rock!

If ever you thought about writing something, anything, I strongly suggest participating. They do it every November and although you could do it on your own, at anytime, it’s great to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Plus, the pep-talk emails are a riot. I laughed aloud on a regular basis and even had to read parts to Jim. One suggested that if you’re worried about your word count maybe one of your characters habits could be reading aloud from a dictionary for hours at a time. Now that’s funny right there.

If you want to find out more about National Novel Writing Month, The Young Writers Program, Script Frenzy (in April), or how to donate check out their website.

Next on the agenda…

Very Short Term Goals:

• Go into San Jose to look at cars, possibly shop a little, and hopefully see a film!

In General Goals:

• Start Posting Regularly (I’ve got lots of things to share from the last month and a bit!)
• Continue to Walk on the Beach as much as possible
• Continue to Cook/Bake/Eat a more Vegan, Refined Sugar Free, and Gluten Free Food
• Continue my Writing
• Catch up with everything and everyone I’ve put on hold this month

Next Big Goals:

• Pull Together my Creative Xmas Gifts for friends and family (budget is tight this year but I’ve got a fun idea)
• Take a Surfing Lesson (or a few)
• Plan our trip to Nicaragua to renew our visas