Campfire: Fourth Evening

The fire is warm, and though the hour is rather late, I have marshmallows and cookies for anyone who is interested! A toasty campfire on a summer night - a perfect place for some story-sharing, wouldn't you say?

I just wrote a short scene for my WIP (Historical Romance), and I thought I'd share a few lines in honor of "writing day" here at Camp Humility:

A shiver racked her body as the wind swept through Seven Mile Canyon. Sally pulled her shawl more tightly about her shoulders, longing to leave the wretched scene but held in place by the rhythmic beating of desert sand and dirt being flung onto a pathetic casket. Joe and John took turns filling up the hole in the ground, neither man saying a word. What could any of them say? John’s wife left this world mere days before his brother brought his new bride to the ranch.

The scene is rather somber - sorry about that!

But now it's your turn! If you'd like an extra entry in this week's giveaway (click the button in the sidebar to enter if you haven't already done so!), just leave a comment sharing a line or a few lines from some writing that you've done recently - a poem, a scene from your WIP, or anything! Let's celebrate writing and get excited about our stories! =)

(P.S. I had a wonderful time enjoying the outdoors today with my mom and a dear friend - so be sure to stop by tomorrow for our hike here at Camp Humility, complete with freshly taken pictures!)

Nano-NaNoWriMo

It's time.

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Thinking realistically, I know it wouldn't be practical for me to fully participate in the challenge to write a 50,000-words novel in a month, especially since I have papers to write, other homework to complete, and books to review all month long.

But I like the carpe diem aspect of this challenge - "seizing the day" and refusing to put off writing goals in spite of a never-ending to-do list. So I've decided to have a nano-NaNoWriMo challenge for myself.

According to Dictionary.com, one definition of nano is -

"a combining form with the meaning 'very small, minute,' used in the formation of compound words (nanoplankton)..."

So my NaNoWriMo challenge is a "very small" one (as compared to writing 50,000 words): I'm going to edit my first manuscript. I'll be doing some writing and tweaking, and I'll be working on a novel, so I'll pretend it still counts. ;) I'm not going to be official about this or anything. I've just been putting off editing for so long that I want to use this month's theme as inspiration for finally going back to my first manuscript. If I don't get around to finishing the edits, I give myself permission to be merciful. I just want to be heading in the right direction.

How about you? Anyone out there taking on the full NaNoWriMo challenge? Anyone want to join me in doing a "nano" version of the challenge?

The Season of Love Continues!

As the Season of Love Blog Party continues in the blogging world, a season of love has been blossoming in my own life. And no, I don't mean I've found the love of my life yet! ;)

The love I'm referring to is from two sources--the manuscript I'm working on, and North and South. I'm over halfway done writing my work-in-progress, which is an historical romance set in 1885 in the American West. My current steady writing schedule has put these characters on my mind more, and oh, I do love them so! I'm so grateful that God gives us stories. I hope someday in the not-to-distant future, if it is God's will, I might be able to share this story of my heart with all of you. If or when that time comes, I hope you love these characters as much as I do!

As for North and South, last night I re-visited this beautiful movie, although I only watched the first part. I'm looking forward to hopefully watching more soon! Since we're celebrating love all this week, I couldn't resist showing you some pictures of the handsome Mr. Thornton! *Sigh.* I do so love this movie!

Back to the blogging world, I just wanted to remind you that the blog party continues today over at Casey's blog, Writing for Christ, with an author interview and giveaway! Hope to see you there!

(Pictures are from Amazon.com.)

*Update: Today (Thursday) hop on over to Hannah's blog for a fun guide to celebrating Valentine's Day as a single woman! With great music and an awesome giveaway, you won't want to miss it!*