Look what was waiting for me after work

I don't know whether to enjoy it or save all the stuff inside - I so want to mail those postcards to myself. Maybe I'll buy a second one to actually use!

My goal is to participate July and August both and see about getting two more novels written. Well, started anyway - and the voices out of my head so there will be room for more.

Camp NaNoWriMo is now open!!!!

What a wonderful surprise to check the NaNoWriMo page this evening and find that Camp is now open!!!!

Now I just have to decide what to write. I may have to haunt the the adoption threads to find a plot and some characters.

When you only have two hands....

....and need both of them to eat with, you use whatever is handy to keep the pages of your book open. I had once seen someone use a knife the same way, but Red Lobster provides you with two forks, and since I didn't eat a salad this time, I put the extra fork to good use.

The book is Secret of the White Rose by Stefanie Pintoff. I pre-ordered from Amazon and I am now just getting around to it as I work my way down my TBR list.

Have you heard the news....

...that Camp NaNoWriMo will be available this summer? This is for those of us who like NaNoWriMo so much we want more chances to participate.

Here's the link for more information: http://blog.lettersandlight.org/post/4930557210/going-to-camp-in-my-mind

Now...what to write?

Being a pack rat has its advantages. While looking for a copy of resume, I came across this on an old computer of mine @ work. Enjoy.

mood dudes

mood dudes, originally uploaded by mysterywriter40.

My sister knows me so well - this was a belated birthday present for me.

Happy Birthday Kait!!!

You are one of those rare people who are as nice on the inside as you are beautiful on the outside. I wish you many more and can't wait to see you again (in Italy) next month!

Ridgelawn Memorial Park

Ridgelawn, originally uploaded by mysterywriter40.

Where else would I be able to have a quiet lunch alone?

One great thing from today....a new pic of my favorite house in NYC!

What have I been up to this year?

I've been trying to keep myself occupied while all the snow has been on the ground. I have to admit I'm really tired of the white stuff now. Other areas have gotten much more than I have, but this is like the 3rd year for lots of snow in the winter months and it is taking a toll on me emotionally.

I remember when I would drive through bumper deep snow in my Jeep Wrangler (I miss that Jeep!) since I worked as a police dispatcher and HAD to be at work. Back then I was in my late 20s/early 30s and wasn't worried about the concept of dying young. Now, I am. I have a healthy balance of annual leave (vacation time) so I take it when it snows. I don't like leaving my co-workers to fill in for me, but I have 40 miles to drive (one way), and 90% of it is on a county two-lane road over hills. I can't just hop on the interstate or drive up one of the other main state roads that gets cleared first. If I did, I would go to work. So I'm hoping my friends at work don't begrudge me my time off. I rarely take sick time (I have 10 months+ worth saved) and usually don't take vacations unless something special comes up, like my anticipated trip to Italy in April to see my niece.

So anyway, the sewing machine is the one I bought so I could make quilts. I made one on my old machine, but it wasn't really made for quilting. So I got a new one and I've been sewing strips (see jelly rolls below) together for a postage stamp quilt-a-long I'm participating in. Mom gets it when I'm finished with it.

I also have been waiting for the book New York 1900 to come down in price so I could buy it. I'm still in the planning stages of my trilogy that I started during NaNoWriMo in 2009. I failed miserably this year writing the 2nd story, but that's OK. I went into without a clear idea of what was supposed to happen. Won't happen again. I hated to lose this year. So I have gone back to the planning stage for all three of them, to better get a sense of the overall plot and what needs to happen in each individual story.

So that's about it for now. Trying to get through all the snow without wrecking my car. Trying to keep myself from going crazy. And trying to get a little bit of writing done.

My first shipment of Field Notes

My first shipment of Field Notes, originally uploaded by mysterywriter40.

I think this can only be termed love at first sight!

quilt washed and dried

quilt washed and dried, originally uploaded by mysterywriter40.

I didn't finish my novel this year for NaNoWriMo, but I did complete my very first quilt for my niece Kait living in Italy with her MP husband.

NaNoWriMo treats

NaNoWriMo treats, originally uploaded by mysterywriter40.

I decided to treat myself with an order from JetPens (along with some yarn and knitting supplies) even though I didn't complete my novel for NaNoWriMo.

No NaNoWriMo win this year

I could not get the words to come out this month. I had a late start, then just couldn't seem to get started. I'm angry, but at myself. I let outside issues derail my writing and I'm refusing to let that happen ever again.

So starting December 1st, a new start to my writings. Everyday write. This is one habit I haven't not picked up yet. I let excuses keep me from doing what I love most to do.

So here's to NaNoWriMo 2011!

Some of my favs from Flickr - looking for NaNoWriMo 2010 inspiration

1. 1949 Living Room in the Berkshires, 2. Shetland Silk, 3. Linen Tote, 4. here she is, 5. Last gathering of the deer in the forest, 6. A Sunday picnic, 7. DSC06169adj-rs Italian Gardens at the Vanderbilt Estate, 8. sleeping santa dogs, 9. Chocolate Brownie Cupcakes I, 10. The hexie side, 11. KOI 5218 Watercolor, 12. Don't blink, 13. bags, bags, bags., 14. Texture, 15. Dude looks like a lady, 16. Knotty Gloves, 17. Fifth Avenue New York 1898, 18. Endless, 19. Pincushion - Yellow Aqua, 20. The gang's all here and stuffed, 21. Untitled, 22. Ridenour Lake, 23. ::love::, 24. Hot Squirrel, 25. Morning, 26. Pencil Roll - Inside, 27. Bird on a Bike, 28. Tokyo Subway Map Mini Quilt, 29. union quilt top, 30. The Beehive - Amy's Block for Amy, 31. red and aqua stars quilt, 32. 1910s - Charles M. Schwab mansion on right, West End Ave & Riverside Drive, 73 to 74 Sts, 33. 1910-15 City Hall Post Office (1878-1938) bet Broadway & Park Row, architect A.B. Mullett, 34. 1910s - Charles M. Schwab mansion, West End Ave & Riverside Drive, 73 to 74 Sts, demolished 1948, 35. The garden seat, 36. French Daybed

Gearing up for NaNoWriMo

I was able to paint the back of my TV room door with chalkboard paint this weekend in preparation for NaNoWriMo 2010. I plan to write my notes, daily word count goals and inspirational quotes to win again this year.

Waiting for November 1 - NaNoWriMo

Like a lot of other people out there I'm eagerly awaiting 2010's NaNoWriMo. I'm already thinking about what to write (sequel to last year's The Contessa or work on a new idea?) and trying to make sure I'll have plenty of time to write (pawning work off onto my co-workers, etc. Just kidding, I promise).

One thing I do not do is write at work. I've plotted and planned on my lunch break, but that's it. When I'm at work, I'm there to work.

The post office has been busy delivering research material to me - this Saturday I received a copy of:

After requesting it through ILL several years ago, I've been on the lookout for my own copy. One book in the trilogy I'm now writing based on last year's novel is set in and around Hollywood and Los Angeles in the 1930s, 1933 specifically. I can't wait to start reading.

Turning one story into three has been quite time-consuming. All those pesky time lines, for each major character (six total, two for each novel, plus numerous minor characters who show up in all three) has been a little daunting. I finally had to set the series aside and work on plotting another story. I'm headed to the Blue Ridge Parkway later this month so I thought I would work on a mystery (what else?) set on the parkway. Still trying to wrap my head around that plot and its characters, so I can do a little bit of research on the side while there.

Happy 4th of July!

A big THANK YOU to the troops, wherever you are, especially Joe C. who is stationed in Italy and is married to my niece K!!!!

Here's is how I spent part of my day:

A big THANK YOU to the troops, wherever you are, especially Joe C. who is stationed in Italy and is married to my niece K!!!!

Here's is how I spent part of my day:

I'm back

Indie, originally uploaded by mysterywriter40.

I've taken a much needed break from writing and used the past few weeks to make some decisions.

Do I want to write? Yes. It all boils down to that. No more excuses.

Tomorrow I will be participating in the New York Writers Coalition Write Your A** Off Write-a-thon. You can find more information here - the goal is to write 3K in one day. Anyone who has participated in NaNoWriMo should be able to complete this with time to spare. I have to attend a family reunion on Saturday, but tonight and tomorrow morning will be spent plotting a scene to write when I return.

So let the writing begin. Again.

The end - for now - thanks for stopping by

I would like to thank all those who read the little bit of writing I put out here over the past several months.

My work is taking up much more of my time now so for right now so I am taking a break (and hopefully writing for Script Frenzy). See you when I get back.

Leslie