Warning: Political Content

I don't usually talk politics here. Not because I'm not interested. Not because I don't have opinions. But because, over the past decade, I've learned to keep my mouth shut. I live in a community in which I am most decidedly in the minority. I've also worked at a company (not my current one, I'm happy to say) where having it known that I was part of that minority made my life hell. So I said nothing. Especially not publicly.

Add to that the atmosphere of fear that has been built in this country over the last eight years. "You must be afraid" and "It won't work" and "No, you can't".

Well, last night I heard a man stand up and say "Yes, we can!" I watched people of all ages, races, religions, incomes and from all around the globe celebrating that man and what he stands for. I felt a glimmer of hope. That just maybe we can put aside our fear and distrust and do something good. Make a difference. Make things better.

On this cold gray November morning, I feel warm. And I'm smiling.

Oh, and check out Pat's blog today. I dare you not to cry.

NaNo Gets Short Shrift For A Bigger Issue

I'm off to a slow start this year for NaNoWriMo. But I'm looking at it like athletic training. You start slow and build. Yeah, training. So, I'm stealing time at work where I can. And I've got a weekend coming up with nothing much planned.

What about tonight?, you ask. Well, there's this thing called an election going on. And I know I'm going to be parked in front of the tube, watching Comedy Central's coverage--don't laugh, they usually have the smartest and least annoying people covering these things. Elections are important. So, I'm giving myself permission to care about something other than writing tonight. I'm hoping there's a clear outcome before I go to bed. And I'm hoping it's the one that helps me sleep better.

BTW, if you haven't voted yet, please do so. Vote your conscience.

November Goals - Is There Anything But NaNo?

It probably won't feel much like it, but there will be other writing-related things I need to complete this month. Let's see how I did in October--which seemed like a really, really long month to me.

--Rewrite 2 chapters of MMG. (6/2)
--Write 31 pages of Vesta. (7/31)
--Complete CWC critiques. (2/2)
--Read Dexter and The Graveyard Book with an eye to the "nuts and bolts." (1.5/2)
--Edit PPW NewsMag. (DONE)

Not too shabby. Especially with all the extra I Did This things I accomplished.

So, what do I need to do in November?

--Write 50,000 words, naturally. The first part of the month, at least, will be dedicated to Vesta. If I finish the novel before I hit my word count, I'll go on to another whatever.
--Complete 2 CWC critiques (thanks Jenny!)

Wow, that really is it. Reading this month is going to be hit and miss and mainly for fun. I'm dog and house sitting next weekend so that usually means the next Sandman book.

Ali's calling for a "Write For Yourself" month. I would hope I usually do that. I'll let you know at the end of the month whether it felt like work or not.

Okay, off to waste time on Facebo . . . I mean, time to go knock out a few hundred words.