Saturday, January 29, 2011

Six Words on JANO

It's here. The final weekend of JANO. Sadly, I'm not inspired today. Here are some kick-in-the-pants six-word memoirs we all need as writers (I'm talking mainly to myself at the moment.)

Hunker down and write. Repeat daily.
Aching fingers, tired back. JANO time.
Get back to normal Feb. 1.
Homestretch for JANO. Type away madly.
Ignore social media, emails. Just JANO!
Are 50,000 words doable? Yes. Maybe.
50,000 words. One month? We're nuts.
Wearing wrist braces. Must be JANO.

Care to add some of your own?

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Kicking Off 2011

This year I already have several writing projects in tow. I submitted five recipes, two rhyming recipes (yes, they rhyme) and two essays to High Hill Press for a new cookbook the publisher is working on.

I also submitted two essays to SMITH Magazine for possible inclusion in their new book entitled THE MOMENT. SMITH strayed from its six-word memoir format and asked writers to tell about a moment that impacted their lives using 750 words or less. I actually wrote four essays (about 3,000 words) but only submitted two.

While at the pharmacy counter, the pharmacy clerk mentioned two words that made my eyes fall onto the counter. I picked them back up, washed them off with antibacterial gel--well, I was at the pharmacy, after all--and said, "That would make a great children's picture book." She agreed and I drove straight home (forgetting all about my planned errands) to type a 1,000-word kids' manuscript. Hopefully, it will be my third picture book.

Finally, I've written about 17,000 words for JANO, our January challenge to write 50,000 words. I'm behind on this goal but I'm chipping away and really enjoying one of the characters. Maybe a little too much. She may have to become the protagonist which would be a big rework. Egads. And I'm the one who hates editing. Sigh.

To recap, I've written over 25,000 words this month. No wonder I'm taking Tylenol arthritis medicine. What are you working on?

Monday, January 10, 2011

It's JANO Time

Last year, our mystery writers' group, Sleuths' Ink, came up with the concept for JANO. The goal is to write a 50,000-word novel during the month of January. National Novel Writing Month does this on a huge scale every November. Several of our writers participate in NaNo, but many of us are too busy with the holidays, Christmas shopping and hosting company so we decided the first of the year better suited our needs. January is a great time to kick off the new year with a novel in hand, plus it's too cold to venture outside in the blustery Midwest.

With JANO, we write like mad during the month--no editing. Writers of all genres may participate. I'm working on a new novel that is commercial fiction with elements of romance and possibly elements of suspense or mystery. I'm only at 6100 words and short of my goal. To achieve 50,000 words, we must write 12,500 words per week. That's a push and I'm hoping my muse kicks in very soon since I'm so far behind. (If it doesn't, I'm chucking this novel and going back to last year's!)

In February, we'll have a celebratory party and award prizes in thirteen categories including the first three writers to reach 50k, best first sentence, best first page, most unique setting, and so on. The camaraderie, motivation and support by fellow writers is the most fun for me.

I'll keep you posted on my progress. Good luck to all the JANO writers.