It’s Thanksgiving week here in the U.S. November went by so fast, I didn’t realize we were at the third Monday until just a few minutes ago. Since I have no ideas for a formal post, I’m going to tell you what I’ve been up to writerly-wise this month. I hope you’ll reciprocate.
I just “returned” from the second Writer Unboxed UnConference. I put returned in quotation marks because the UnConference was again held within walking distance of my home. While I didn’t go anywhere, a slew of awesome people visited my ‘hood, and it was spectacular.
UnCon is a conference for writers about writing. The focus isn’t pitching a publisher or connecting with an agent. It’s about the camaraderie borne of a shared passion for the written word and finding the inspiration to create unique and meaningful stories regardless of genre. It is truly a one of a kind experience.
Immediately following UnCon, the Anthology, WINDWARD: Best New England Crime Stories 2016 was launched at New England Crime Bake. My contribution to WINDWARD? “Tainted Image.”
The tale of a modern day witch-hunt, “Tainted Image” explores bullying and how self-righteousness, inflamed by mob mentality and the anonymity of the internet, can destroy innocent lives.
“Tainted Image” ranks as the darkest story I’ve ever written, which is actually saying something.
Finally, on Tuesday, November 8 (yes, Election Day), I completed the manuscript I’ve been working on for three-plus years, and editing for over a year. Or rather it would have been complete if I hadn’t been in the middle of UnCon at the time. After all the inspiration and insight on craft, I felt the manuscript deserved one last read through (now underway) before sending it off to beta readers.
To anyone who has expressed an interest in reading,
it’s taken me so long to finish, I won’t hold you to your earlier pledge.
That said, if you are still interested, start your engines!
Here’s the rough blurb:
High school history teacher Nate Colson is your average nice guy. With a barely-there paycheck, a rambling house to maintain, and a lavish wedding months away, he rents his upstairs apartment to enigmatic Mercy English, owner of a Salem, Massachusetts occult shop. After Nate’s fiancée breaks off their engagement, he turns to gentle Mercy, unsuspecting of her violent history. But a series of homicides turns Mercy’s fear of exposure to obsession and puts Nate in her sights. Will he be her salvation or just one more victim in her desperate need to protect the monstrous truth of her past?
Your turn!
What have you been up to in November?
dillpopdotcom/flicrcc
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it
is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
—WILLIAM ARTHUR WARD
With gratitude, as with writing, show don’t tell.
HAPPY [U.S.] THANKSGIVING!!!
Congratulations on finishing your book, VR. Interestingly, there’s a post on The Blood Red Pencil about the Writer Unboxed blog that you might want to check out. As for me, I’ve taken a long hiatus from writing. Not because I wanted to but because I couldn’t write for lack of concentration. I’m back at it and feel better than I have in months. I hope it lasts. Again, best of luck with your work.
Thanks, Polly. I’m a huge fan of Writer Unboxed. The blog is terrific. Advice, points of view, and inspiration from all aspects of the publishing world without the albatross of genre.
With your knee surgery (not to mention the election), this has been a stressful time.
So glad to hear you’re back at the keyboard!
Happy Thanksgiving!
That unconference sounds terrific, and for it to be within walking distance makes it even better yet.
Congrats on finishing your book! That’s super. I don’t remember if I already offered to beta read it or not, but I’d be happy to do it, if you’d like. As for my writing, I’m still plugging away at my WIP, but my usual levels of enthusiasm and productivity haven’t quite re-booted since the election, so things have slowed down a bit. Nowhere to go but up, right? (Right!)
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! (Which is NOT the same thing as telling you to “get stuffed”…) 🙂
You were on my beta list, Susan. I’m thrilled you’re still willing to read. Yay! I pushed to finish the manuscript before the election because I wasn’t sure how motivated I would be afterward. I worked late into the night and refused to listen to election results until I’d reached the end. Given my productivity the last couple of weeks, I think it was a wise move.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Congrats on getting it done. Always great when a tale is completely spun. Sounds like a great conference to attend too.
Thanks, Pat. Now I just have to decide what I’m going to do with all my free time. 🙂
In case I didn’t say it on October 10.
Happy belated [Canadian] Thanksgiving!
Congrats on finishing. Sort of. These things always take longer than planned.
My November? Same ol’, same ol’.
So true, things do take longer—although I think I’ve stretched this one to the limit.
Best of luck with your latest novel and your anthology story. Darkest tale of them all, is it? I wish you high sales with WINDWARD!
Thanks, Roland. I didn’t intend the story to be so dark, but I didn’t intend for it to be YA either, and it is. I clearly have no control over what I write. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving. Sounds like a wonderful conference. I went to my first this year and still carry it with me. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Writers’ conferences are the best, Anna. Great way to recharge our batteries!
UnCon sounds amazing. And how convenient to have it so close to your home. You must have floated home at the end of every day.
You’ve reached some important milestones. Congratulations on being published in the anthology, and congratulations on finishing your edits on your story.
I didn’t do NaNo, but I pledged to write every day in November. I only missed 2 days so far. I’ve been re-writing, in conference with two awesome crit partners, my Paris love and art story. Coming along nicely. Having these relentless crit partners has given me much clearer focus.
Roll on December, but first, Happy Thanksgiving!
Denise 🙂
Congrats on writing nearly every day, Denise! I’ve been editing so long, I’m not sure I remember how to write. Next up is drafting a synopsis for my manuscript. You can be sure I’m not looking forward to that chore. (gag)
Cherish those critique partners. They are a rare treasure.
Happy Thanksgiving, Viva! And thanks for telling me about UnCon too:)
I had an awesome Thanksgiving, Mark. I hope yours was wonderful as well!
UnCon… I love it! There’s an awesome November for you. Way to climb a mountain on that 3 year manuscript!
My November consisted of blog tour, book release crazy, visiting family, sickness, book promotion, and Christmas shopping. Whew! Ready for the month to be over. Here’s to December and a (hopefully) unrushed, enjoyable holiday season!
Your November was crazy, Crystal! I have no idea how you managed all that. I know you’re taking some well-deserved time off from blogging during the holidays. Rest, Relax, and we’ll see you in 2017!