Greetings All,
Happy NaNoWriMo Eve!
Love it or hate it (I happen to love it) it's that time of year again.
I used to maintain a separate NaNo blog but with my eyesight and energy at such a premium these days I am not going to do that this year. I promise I won't bombard you with NaNo for the whole month, though I may occasionally comment on how it's going if the mood strikes. That, and there may be pictures of me wearing mismatched socks while drinking heavily caffeinated beverages. I can’t be held responsible for that, it’s just part of the process.
As you may know, NaNoWriMo is the closest thing I have to a religious holiday. Since 2008 the event has been a major happening in my household, and some of my fondest memories are of NaNo 2009/10/11 when the whole family, including my daughter, participated.
I will never forget the moment I first saw that light bulb go off over her head when she suddenly had a plot issue resolve itself in her head and ran, RAN to the keyboard to start typing. This was a child who used to cry at the sight of a blank screen or piece of paper, because she was so afraid to write. Now she’s a writer, a poet, and very good at both, if I do say so myself.
It’s going to be very difficult participating in NaNo without her this year, but it’s another part of the ‘new normal’… I have to figure out how to go on knowing that she won’t be there for things big and small as long as she continues on the path she has chosen.
It’s difficult to write letters to her knowing that she won’t answer, especially knowing why she won’t answer. Still, when I can find the words, I write them anyway. (If you have no idea what I’m talking about, I lost my daughter earlier this year to religious shunning. Long story. Short version: she has been brainwashed and will not speak to me for fear of losing her salvation because I do not believe as she does. It’s so sad, I can’t even begin to comprehend it, still.)
Now, on to other things before I start crying (again)…
I bring you BIG writing news (some of you may have heard this first bit on FB or Twitter, my apologies for the redundancy in that case. Keep reading, there is more!)
My short story THE WEDDING SHOES has been accepted for publication in Anassa Publications LLC's upcoming anthology ANYTHING PROSE…AND POETRY TOO!
I am absolutely thrilled about this, it seems the perfect home for a little story that really seemed to resonate with those who have seen it, and has become very dear to my heart. So thank you to Anassa Publications for the opportunity and consideration, I am thankful. The anthology is slated for an early 2013 release, stay tuned.
I am also in the process of readying another project and have debated when to post about that as well… and I figure that NaNo Eve is the best possible time to do it, since the project started out years ago as my very first NaNo novel.
ANNOUNCEMENT: (insert trumpet flourish here please) This November (mid-to around Thanksgiving, I'll update as soon as I know for sure) I will finally be releasing FIREWORKS FLOWERS.
It has been heavily revamped, and as a lean little novella of about 32k words, I feel it is finally ready to take its place on the virtual ebook shelves at Amazon.
I am genre hopping wayyyy over to Chick Lit for this, and I have to tell you in advance this little book could not be more different from GODSPEED.
If GODSPEED is rich, dark chocolate then FIREWORKS FLOWERS is cotton candy. But that’s okay, people like cotton candy sometimes too. Some may even prefer it! Something for everyone, I figure.
The story is set against a pre-holiday backdrop, and even though the holidays don’t figure prominently into the plot, I think that if anything can get you into the spirit for the season this novella is it. So, this November is finally the right time to release it.
Here’s the blurb:
“If only…”
Aspiring writer and coffee house manager Aidan Flynn has a broken heart, and no one to blame for it but himself.
He never meant to fall in love with Emily, the shy regular
who always hid out in the corner booth. It happened anyway, even though he knew
she was involved with a man from one of the most powerful families in town.
With the final hour ticking down until she says her vows, Aidan
must make a choice: try to stop the society wedding of the year, or face losing
his beloved, quirky muse forever.
Fireworks Flowers
is a romantic novella about letting go of the fear that holds us back and the
unrivaled power of love.
A contemporary romantic confection, by February Grace.
... and to celebrate the pre-NaNo festivities, a sneak peek at the gorgeous cover, by the same artist who did GODSPEED’s cover, Paul Brand! Thanks, Paul, I LOVE it!
Happy Noveling, everyone!
~bru
