31 days

Tomorrow morning begins the 31 days of October writing challenge.

This here post is where I will come back and add the links to all the posts (probably a couple times a week.)

I'm writing using word prompts from Kate from Five minute Friday, so it will be my 31 days of five minute free writes, October 2019 edition. They're not all going to be exactly five minutes worth of writing, but they'll be close. 

For all you who've been waiting, you can start reading tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. EST, because I'm going to go type up tomorrow's post right now. Be sure to check in later this week and see all our friends who are joining in, you might find some new writers you enjoy.

Maybe, just maybe, this challenge will get me ready for NaNoWriMo as well!

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NaNoWriMo ... Take 2

Today is November 2nd. That means it is the second day of NaNoWriMo for 2017. You may be wondering what NaNoWriMo is, I know I did when Arlene first mentioned it to me last year. aNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. It is a worldwide effort for writers to write each day during the month of November in hopes of getting the first draft of a new novel written in just one month. NaNoWriMo is the kick in the pants many aspiring writers need to stop thinking about writing and just write! The goal is 50,000 words by the end of the month, and there is an entire website dedicated to helping you meet your goal. The NaNoWriMo website gives all the details.

One of the best things we learned about last year is that NaNoWriMo has a site and program just for children from Kindergarten up through 12th grade. Arlene joined this Young Writers Program last year and had a really fun time learning more about plots, character development, and getting her words into the computer. During the summer the children's site offers summer camps where kids can get extra encouragement for their writing, as well as having access to chat with their friends they developed during NaNoWriMo. 

There are a couple differences between the two programs besides the age groups. The adult program does not allow you to write your novel on their site, but rather encourages you to enter your daily word count, with a verification at the end of the month. For the Young Writer's Program, kids and teens can type their novel right there and have it saved so they can work on it from anywhere with internet access. This makes it great for working from home, at the library, or during a writing class at school. It also eliminates the need for the young writer to have their own computer. Last year we had Arlene begin by writing her novel in a notebook, and then typing it out. As the month went on, she got behind in her typing, so this year she is just typing it not he website from the beginning.

If you would like to read Arlene's tips for other writers, hop on over to the post from Monday.

So what about you? Do you have a novel inside you just waiting to get out? Want to join NaNoWriMo? Besides the online support, many local libraries are having events encouraging writers of all ages. I am thankful for the support our local library has given to encourage writers in our community over the years.

What if you are not wanting to write a novel? What if you want to write a non-fiction book? While that would not fit in the NaNoWriMo mold, you can use what the NaNoWriMo program teaches writers to get started on your non-fiction book or collection of poetry. The idea is simple: write! Write everyday, and write a lot! The goal is around 1700-2000 words per day for adults. Kids and teens set their own goals. The second idea is this: turn off your inner editor and just write the first draft from start to finish. You can go back and adjust characters and plot points in December or later. So, if you're wanting to write non-fiction, just start with chapter one and keep writing! 

What if you cannot think of a book to write, but you would still like to join in the idea of writing every day in November? Then let me offer this suggestion: write a thankfulness journal every day. While it may not be 1000 words, taking time each day to think over what happened that day and what you are thankful for helps you have a better attitude towards your life and those around you. After all, Thanksgiving is coming up later this month, why not start being thankful today?!

I've got several things I'm working on writing this month, and while I may not hit 2000 words each day, or one complete book, I am going to make an effort to write something every day this month. Some of it may even end up here on the blog. :)

In the spirit of thankfulness, I think it is time to start up our Thankful Thursdays posts again, so here is what I am thankful for today...

I am thankful for the ability to learn. When I think back over the years at how much more I understand today about health and nutrition than I did when Emily was a baby I am amazed. I have been so blessed to learn from some great people: Nutritionists, Naturopaths, Chiropractors, GP's and specialists like Cardiologists. The wealth of information available today, and how easily it is accessed, has made a huge difference in how we live our lives, how we eat, and how we treat symptoms. Even in the last month I feel like my understanding of joint health has deepened, and I am thankful that by better understanding how my body works, I have been able to give it the nutrients it needs to heal itself.

I am also thankful for time spent outside, even when the weather is less than stellar. Yesterday Arlene and I were on our way home from sewing group and in the gray, overcast day we saw something rare. We were driving down a winding country road and in the tree up ahead I spotted a bald eagle! Right there by the side of the road! There was not time to stop before we passed the tree it was in, so I slowed down at the next driveway and pulled in. (I am so thankful for nice country people who do not get grumpy when you turn around in the end of their driveways!) As I was waiting to pull back out, a truck went down the road and we saw the eagle take off and fly across the recently harvested field for a patch of woods. While the pictures Arlene took on my phone were not the clearest, they clearly show it was a bald eagle, and they serve as a reminder of the majesty we saw as the eagle took flight.

What will you write this month?! What are you thankful for?

FYI- this post is just over 1000 words long, so you see, it is not that hard to hit 2000 words a day when you write.

If you are looking for some more encouragement, visit the new Weekly Homeschool Linky Party over on the Homeschool Review Crew blog! 

NaNoWriMo advice for writers from Arlene

The following is advice from Arlene, for anyone, especially other teens, who are considering joining NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), it begins Wednesday, November 1st.

So I'm on the YoungWritersProgram (YWP) of NaNo and the new intern asks a question and of course I can’t just give a simple reply. This got kind of long so I thought I would share it as encouragement here for anyone else who wants to give NaNo a shot this year.

ModKS Q:What are all of you doing to get ready in these last few days before NaNo starts? What things are you getting taken care of now? Do you put together NaNo kits for yourself? What do you make sure to have? What do you recommend?

Me A: So this is only my second NaNo besides the two camps I did over the summer (neither of which I really committed to like I did in November so this is kind of my ideas of ok now that I have done it what can I do better this year).

So for prep I would say write. Yes I know you are going to be writing all of next month but if it has been a while since you wrote fiction then write a short story in the last few days this month just to get back into the writing a lot each day groove. For this I have actually been working on my story for next month early writing out how all the characters arrived at the location of where my story takes place since it happens at the beginning. 

Second you don't have to outline. Some people really do some people don't at all, I’m somewhere in the middle but plan as much as you are comfortable with and then let your story surprise you and take you to the awesome place you never knew it could go. I have an idea of what is going to happen but I don't heavily outline before because then I feel like I will be too stuck to my outline to let the story go a different direction if it wants to.

I don't have a kit except for a package of good chocolate as a reward for myself if I get to my word count by the end of each day and plans to hang out with friends this Sunday as a break before going into a full week of writing next Monday.

What do I have? Well last year I wrote on my computer and in a notebook. This year I’m writing on my computer  only because I got behind on typing up what I had written by hand for last year's project. This year I have my computer, Wikipedia (which when writing fiction is more helpful then you might think) and the aforementioned chocolate. I don't think I’ll read as much as I did during last November as it got me too distracted to write some days but I will definitely have a few books on hand for if I get a block and just can’t think of anything.

What would I recommend? Well for writing I would say just go for it, it might not fit or it might sound weird to you at 2 in the morning but this is writing month. Turn off you fixer and just write to have fun. After all that is what writing should be, it should be something you enjoy doing and not something you are doing because you have to. If you do it because you have to then your end product won't be as good because it won’t have your joy and fun personality in it. 

As for supplies, food is good and don't stay up too late either. You need fuel to keep going and not just caffeine because that is like a car running on fumes, it works but it’s not good for you. Also you want lots of sleep so you can be fresh every day. 

Word wars and sprints are your friends, it you are good at typing and know where you want the story to go then if you can do 500 words in 20 minutes then it should only take you a few hours to get to your word count goal for the day. Also, set you goal for each day higher then it needs to be (say make it 2000) that way if you have a day where you just can’t write a lot then you have gotten ahead on a different day so you don't get too far behind. I have heard this from lots of people who say it works.

Ok so that’s kind of prep and some stuff for during the month hope it is at least a little helpful. :)

Arlene

What we've been doing ~ March - April 2017

Wow, what a couple of full months we have been living! Remember when Christ said that we may have life, and have it to the full? (John 10:10)  Was this what He was talking about? There have been so many blessings, and a couple of challenges along the way that I just wanted to sit for a minute and share what's on my heart.

Mama, God has this thing called life all figured out! Stop stressing out if you don't understand how it is all supposed to work because He has a plan for you to follow. Just ask Him what it is! Could I have imagined all the things that have happened therapist few weeks? Maybe, but probably not. I think He lets us set a few plans just so He can blow us out of the water by how He fulfills them!

March started off with Arlene attending the annual meeting go the local fiber arts group, SWIFT. They are the lovely ladies who have encouraged her on her way to better spinning and weaving. Her fiber arts mentor Sue is a big part of the group and has invited Arlene along the past few years. They are all looking forward to the Midwest Weavers Conference in June.

The next week we had a 4-H meeting, lunch with dear friends, and went on a tour of a maple syrup farm. They had the same issue we did, that Spring came so early that the maple tapping season was shorter this year. Still, we learned a lot more than were previously knew about how commercial operations work, and we found a lovely, not too far away location to purchase additional syrup from.

The third week of March I'm still wondering how Arlene got any of her coursework done as it seems we were always on the go. A legislative meeting, an awards party at Conner Prairie, 4-H Ag Days, and a trip to her friend Susan's fiber shop. Life seems to be like that these days, every other week goes from slightly busy to a whirlwind! Good thing Arlene is good at making dinner so I don't always have to be home from work in time to make it.

Later in March Arlene spent a day at the Indiana Association of Home Educators' convention helping Susan Marlow with her Circle C Ranch booth. Mrs. Marlow os one of those gems that I am glad has come into Arlene's life for the good influences, and the fun! Training for the opening of the outdoor season at Conner Prairie finished off Arlene's month and I think somewhere in there I even slept-LOL!

April seems to be shaping up as just as much of an adventure as last month was. Kurt and I had a volunteer training at Conner Prairie while Arlene worked out on the grounds. The next week Arlene spent a day as a page for our State Representative at the Statehouse on Indianapolis. That was followed by a 4-H meeting and a family trip to Eagle Creek park for birdwatching. This was also the week that Spring arrived in full force.

Later in April we attended another Legislative meeting, had friends over to visit, attended a Strawberry Social and went to Fiber Fest in Greencastle. A whole day of wool, yarn, and fun! Another fun blessing for April? I got an email from Panera that I had been selected to receive a free bagel every day this month. Um- yes! So we've been planning out routes to events around a stop at nearby Panera stores.

Easter arrived, and I was so thankful that we had been watching the Drive Thru History® - 'The Gospels" series as I felt like even through the midst of our full life that my heart was prepared to celebrate Christ's redemptive work on the cross.

Since then? Arlene went to the dentist, Emily registered for her college classes for fall, and we had our bathroom redone. Whew!

Whenever someone says "it must be nice to stay home and homeschool" I just smile and nod. Yes, it is nice, but it is not what you think. :)

Schoolwork wise? Lots of it! Arlene is doing a variety of project through Art Achieve, we've been reading quite a few books, including the newest release form Lamplighter, and she is working away in her math and biology. Sometimes Spring can be challenging when the warm weather calls us outside, so we try to focus on getting the basics done early and enjoying the afternoons in the fresh air as often as possible.

Work? Yup, I'm still there three days most weeks. It's not a bore, but rather a chance to share the love Christ with those around me. It gives me a lot of time to pray for my family and friends, and frankly, it keeps me in shape. God is using it for His glory, and for my good as He conforms me to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:28-30)

Besides all of this? I'm trying to learn to touch-type. It is a skill I've known I need for a while, but have finally set aside some time to work on learning. I'm finding it difficult, partially because I'm older and memorization take longer, and partially because I have such long fingers. If you're ever seen my fingers, you'll know what I'm talking about. It is difficult to hold them curved at the correct angle so that I can reach all the keys at the same time. But I plan to persevere! I guess I'm a glutton for difficulty because I've just started reviewing First Form Latin form Memoria Press. I tried to learn some basic Latin a few years ago when the girls were in a Classical Conversations class, but it started too fast and too in-dpeth for me to retain it. I want to learn some Latin to help my brain pick out derivatives, and to challenge myself to form some new mental pathways. I may never get far, but I am going to work at it.

What have I learned form all of this? God is bigger than any struggles we may face. He uses those trials to prove to us how true the faith He has given us is. He proves Himself faithful. And He proves that He loves us by all the wonderful opportunities He gives us for joy and fellowship! If we are lacking in joy, it is because we are not taking the joy He offers and making it our own. If we are lacking in fellowship it is because we are not willing to set aside our selfish desires to see what He has planned for the Body of Christ. I would much rather live a joyful, God-Centered life than a sorrowful world-centered one!

Take time today to recognize the blessings God has bestowed upon you this past month. Ask Him for direction for your future, and hang on for the wild adventure!


Linking up with Homeschool Highlights and The Homeschool Post's Weekly Blog and Tell

NaNoWriMo...Take One

Today is November 1st. That means it is kickoff day for NaNoWriMo 2016!

Just in case you're not familiar with the term, it stand for National Novel Writing Month, and their website is nanowrimo.org

I'm calling this Take One because we have not participated in past years. This year, Arlene is setting her goal to write her story during the month ( at least the rough draft, which is the point of NaNoWriMo!) Some of her favorite authors have shared that they began their books during NaNoWriMo.

I'm not planning to write a novel, but I am going to at least start on my book. It is an idea I talked about with my friend a couple of years ago and I think its time to put pen to paper and see how it goes. Will I get it written his month? I have no idea. I am thankful that I can write knowing that God will direct my paths, and hopefully my pen too!

Our library hosted a kickoff workshop this evening that we attended. You might want to see if your library or local college is having events this month.

If you or your children are interested in NaNoWriMo hop on over to the website and see all of the information they share. There is a  specific plan for teen writers as well. Of course, I only know this because Arlene looked it up! :) Yea for self-sufficient kids!

Later this month I'll let you know how our projects are doing. In the meanwhile...go write something!