(Ok, I made this up, but it’s true –)
National
Novel (Writing)
(and other things)
We
Can
Do
Month!
As Mary explained in her post on November 3, we are engaged in marvelously rebellious behavior, and writing, writing, writing. My Inner Rebel is counting words in projects 1, 2, and 3 (below), to reach my 50,000 for the month, if needed for number 4.
We’ve each set goals for ourselves. Mine:
1. PAD Challenge
Robert Brewers’ Poetic Asides Poem-A-Day (PAD) Challenge, a new poem written each day, from the prompts provided. I posted one already on #2, below, and will share some during November, here.
2. 100 Word Posts
RoadWriter.net, my first site, has been neglected too long. I decided to revive it with a series of short posts, leading, I hope to completing Heart, Soul, and Rough Edges, my years-in-progress book about our decade on the road. Poems, pictures, prose, and lots of memories.
So far, I’ve gone over the minimum on each Post, and am letting the subject matter free-flow. More about this later in the month.
3. Haiku . . .
Last month, I co-taught a Poetry Workshop at the Eugene Public Library; this was our third year, and a highlight for me. I put together a new unit I called “Haiku Heresy” about variations on the genre — from micro-poetry (Tweetku – yes, haiku via Twitter) through 100+ verses written and shared in real-time. (No, we didn’t actually create these in class, but several University students immediately did their own Tweetku.)
However, I can’t get haiku off my brain, so I went back through my bookmarks on line and dug up Forward Motion’s April Haiku Challenge, and have started adding haiku to my daily exercises. You may need to sign up and log in to reach this, but it’ll be worth it! http://www.fmwriters.com/zoomfm/index.php/forum/focus-april-2014/2888-april-haiku-challenge
4. NaNoWriMo
The least rebellious action is a new novel, Resorting to Dreams, officially begun Nov. 1. Should be fun, since hubby is deeply involved in developing the storyline . . .
I may play with other in-process works if this one gets crazy. Lots of ways to be rebellious on this.
5. Dream Catchers
In odd moments, finding poems scattered around my office — in poetry journals, Morning Pages notes, backs of envelopes, tiny notebooks carried around over the years, hidden in the deep recesses of my computers, etc. Plus those my Sister Poetic Muselings (like Peggy) have found in our other shared spaces over the years.
Using Scrivener, I want to simply get a copy of each into the program so I can actually account for at least part of my creative crunches.
6. Stitching my Soul Together
In July, I took an advanced pattern design sewing course, with little advanced skills going in to it. Hardly any, actually. I connected with a wonderful lady to help me prepare for the class, and have worked with her several times a month since then. We’ve altered a lot of my clothes so the waistbands fit, sleeves don’t hang over my knuckles, hems are where they belong. We have more to do, working together.
I say I’m like the prep chef, washing and peeling potatoes so the Head Chef can create masterpieces. I’m getting very good at potatoes! Much more confident, taking baby steps with the serger and overlock machines; measuring; cutting; pinning. Learning, learning, learning.
We have at least two sessions planned this month. I look forward to that part of my creativity, and know it’s helped wake up my writing.
7. Big Scary Thing*
Even more rebellious will be to do a weekly Big Scary Thing* — take care of dangling “stuff” that’s held huge portions of my brain, mind, and creativity hostage, while tying up my energy in NOT doing.
Some of these may take up to three or four hours at most to complete, but have been squatting in, and squandering, my life for several years. If I get all four done — one per week — I’ll be soooooooooo relieved.
*idea taken from NaNoWriMo site several years ago, about what we planned to do after NaNo . . . I think they’ve still got a forum for this.
What are your dreams, crazy notions, ready-to-fly hopes for November and the rest of 2014? Share, please!
Oh, and wish me luck!
Michele
It’s been a busy year for us Muselings, as we’ve mostly been entrenched in our own projects and life events. This month we come together again with one goal. To write new poems. Once again, Poetic Asides is prompting for 
RoadWriter 