2020 and the fight for NaNoWriMo by Lisa Phillips

Sounds like a pretty good story premise. Our intrepid dark, unpredictable hero who is prone to bouts of moodiness and a tendency to put people in timeout for 14 days ventures out to conquer the city of NaNo, a friendly neighboring locale he hasn’t seen in a while but would quite like to see again.

The only problem is, this NaNoWriMo hasn’t remained that familiar spot from previous ventures—the place of victory it once was. Though it might be the same mountain with its steady and relentless climb to the top, victory doesn’t look quite so sure this time. That hill looks a little steeper. The path looks a little more treacherous. Occasionally a boulder labeled, “lockdown” or another labeled, “online school” rolls across the path. Snow clouds gather, and the air seems to hold a little more chill the weather man calls, “you’ll have to wear your mask inside Starbucks even though you didn’t finish your drink yet.”

So what is this weary traveler known as 2020 going to do?

He’s going to prepare.

Yeah, yeah. He does that every October to get ready for his journey. He’ll scribble in a notebook, and have inspired plot ideas in the shower. He’ll dig out those long (but mostly useless) character questionnaires, and then remember to read the craft books and actually dig into the character’s real, inner journey—the one that encompasses real change.

Same old October NaNo prep.

Or is it?

This year looks a lot different for our intrepid traveler. He’ll have to find new ways of working. New places that are distraction free. Life probably looks a whole lot differently this year, and assuming things will fall into place may not work. 2020 has to see a few boulders start to roll before they even get close, and make a side-step out of the way.

Can he still achieve victory?

Sure.

Will he?

Maybe. Maybe not. And isn’t that the real story of 2020? Kind of like this:

A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. (Prov 16v9)

Right now it feels like he’s directing 2020 through a minefield. The word, “unprecedented” comes to mind. “Never before” has x,y, or z happened in our lifetime. Who knows what will happen next? I’ve found myself homeschooling for the first time. Writing a chapter a day – at seven in the morning – and taking longer to write a book. Everything was canceled for a while, and yet it felt like I was busier than ever. Now that things seem to be coming back online, I’m wondering what will happen next.

So if you’re looking forward to NaNoWriMo out of a sense of nostalgia for years past…I’d caution you. Be VERY careful to measure what you’re able to commit to. This year is so wildly different from any other that it could blindside you, and all your plans get tossed up in the air like confetti.

If you do sign up, whether things go well or poorly, give yourself GRACE. Celebrate your accomplishments, and for the rest of it—toast your favorite beverage to, “doing a little better next time.”

Last year I thought I would do double NaNo. I ended at 75,000 words. Not bad at all—maybe even fantastic—but that would never happen this year. Not only am I homeschooling, I’m also attending a week long intensive conference mid-Nov.

But I’ll be on the sidelines, cheering everyone on…and then about the 13th, I’ll realize I need to write that 55k word book before I go on vacation Nov 27th. *shrug* 2020. Am I right?!

So if you’re looking forward to NaNoWriMo out of a sense of nostalgia for years past…I’d caution you. Be VERY careful to measure what you’re able to commit to. This year is so wildly different from any other...

Need some more info about National Novel Writing Month? Click here. Lisa Phillips has a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

She’s a contributing author in the DANGEROUS DECEPTIONS boxed set that released this week. The set is aiming to be a USA Today Bestseller, so if you’ve got a dollar and you adore Christian Romantic suspense then head on over to Amazon and snap up your copy now!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086WP9LX9

God Was in Control This Monday by Zoe M. McCarthy

Sunday, I prayed and hoped for a good writing day on Monday. My deadline is fast approaching, and I needed uninterrupted writing time. 

Zoe M. McCarthy

That night, the electricity went out. I prayed and hoped it would return before my good writing day started. It didn’t. Disappointed, I told John I would drive to Independence to work in their library. Hopefully, I could get much done on my story there. I packed my laptop and notes and drove to Independence.

As I entered the small town, the first traffic light wasn’t working. My shoulders slumped. I’d have to drive on to Galax to find electricity. At the Independence shopping center, the traffic light worked! I turned into the Food City parking lot. The store’s lights were beaming.

A young woman sat on the ground, leaning against the grocery store wall. I buzzed down my window and asked her if the lights had just come on at Food City. She said the store ran on a generator. Independence had no electricity. I said I would drive on to Galax. She asked if she could catch a ride.

This sweet young woman was on disability because she has a hard time coping. She was so medicated that sometimes I couldn’t understand her. When she said that people were blessed to live in such a beautiful area here, I took that opening. I said she sounded like she knew the Lord. She admitted she was not where she wanted to be with God. She said she didn’t read the Bible like she should, but she didn’t understand the Bible. I told her I had been where she was and had written two books of contemporary Christian short stories to explain to myself what I read in the Bible. At that point, God took over and I gave her my testimony, something I rarely do.

When I dropped her off, I gave her copies of my books of Christian short stories, one of my romances, my business card, and a hug. Then I called John, and he said the lights were on. So, I turned around and drove home.

I think the Lord wanted me to recognize that He has better plans than my plans. I wouldn’t have gone to Independence if we’d had electricity. I wouldn’t have driven through town to Galax if the stoplight had been working. I wouldn’t have turned into the Food City lot if the stoplight there had been dead. I wouldn’t have spoken to the young woman if I hadn’t wanted to make sure the lights were back on. I wouldn’t have normally witnessed to anyone. And I never carry my books of Christian short stories in my car. Never. But I had them that day.

God is an awesome orchestrator for His glory and purposes.

About the Author

A full-time writer and speaker, Zoe M. McCarthy, author of Gift of the Magpie and Calculated Risk, writes contemporary Christian romances involving tenderness and humor. Believing that opposites distract, Zoe creates heroes and heroines who learn to embrace their differences. When she’s not writing, Zoe enjoys her five grandchildren, teaching Bible studies, leading workshops on writing, knitting and crocheting shawls for a prayer shawl ministry, gardening, and canoeing. She lives with her husband in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Zoe blogs regularly at www.zoemmccarthy.com.

Gift of the Magpie

Gift of the Magpie by Zoe M. McCarthy

Amanda Larrowe’s lack of trust sabotages her relationships. The English teacher and award-winning author of middle-grade adventure books for boys has shut off communication with friends and family to meet her January 2 book deadline. Now, in the deepest snow accumulation Richmond, Virginia has experienced in years, Camden Lancaster moves in across the street. After ten years, her heart still smarts from the humiliating aftermath of their perfect high school Valentine’s Day date. He may have transformed into a handsome, amiable man, but his likeability doesn’t instill trust in Amanda’s heart. When Cam doesn’t recognize her on their first two encounters, she thinks it’s safe to be his fair-weather neighbor. Boy, is she wrong.

Purchase link for Gift of the Magpie: https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Magpie-Zoe-M-McCarthy-ebook/dp/B073M8X4YZ/

For more Seriously Write posts by Zoe M. McCarthy, click here.