Nanowrimo Mania! with Diane Bator

My newest novel, Drop Dead Cowboy, was written during Nanowrimo 2019. If you’re not familiar with the challenge, the goal is to write 50,000 words in the month of November, which works out to 1,667 words per day.

Since many authors find that to be far too many words to deal with, they will set smaller goals for themselves. Personally, I find writing about 1,667 words per day is a great challenge and have “won” the contest twice now. What does winning mean? That you've met YOUR goal! Of course, the program will only recognize the BIG goal: 50,000 words in 30 days.

Do you have to write a complete novel? 

No. Focus on writing to your word count for now. You can finish the book and edit later.

Do you have to write a novel?

You can write poetry, non-fiction, flash fiction, whatever you want to write. 

The biggest goal is to WRITE!

What kind of person puts that much pressure on themselves? Are you crazy?

Partly, yes. LOL! It's not so much pressure if you're working on something fun and new.

This year I fully intended to use the month to add a second book to one of my series.

Then I beta read a fantasy novel for a friend of mine and...suddenly, I not only had a whole herd of new characters, I had also fully outlined a fantasy novel. Apparently, I'm supposed to have fun with this one and create something totally out of my norm.

How do you prepare for something so overwhelming?

Actually, I'm one of those silly people who find this fun. This is my third year participating and all three times I've created something totally different than what I normally write. Each time I've managed to fit it into my daily life. It just takes a little extra determination and scheduling, paricularly if you have children, pets, or a significant other in the hosue. Or a day job.

Do people actually write readable novels?

I've manage to so far!

Drop Dead Cowboy was last year's project. The one I did before that is still on my shelf, but I'm working it into a new series of fantasy-type novels. It fits in well with a novel I'm writing with a friend of mine.

As for this year's book, it remains to be seen. So far it looks like a Young Adult fantasy/paranormal. Should be interesting!

Do you have to train to do 50,000 words in a month?

I hadn't thought about that. My training was simply writing a novel and working with prompts in my writing group.

How do I keep motivated?

There are a lot of great groups in your area. Simply search the "Community," reach out to other writers on social media, or even to friends. Last year I kept motivated because I had a good friend who sent me her daily word count and I had to keep up! This year, there are more of us. We have a great circle of friends who will poke and prod and make sure we're writing!

While writing is a solitary process, we all need a good support group, especially during times when every Write-In and gathering is now online.

Do I write on paper or my computer?

I use both. I write on paper then transcribe to my computer depending on where and when I'm writing. This year it may be mostly on my computer which makes it much easier to keep track of your word count.

Do you think you're up for the challenge? To find out more, simply head over to https://nanowrimo.org/.  It's not to late to join in the fun!

Happy Writing!

Diane 

To check out my books: https://www.bookswelove.com/bator-diane/

Happy Thanksgiving A Bit Early

 

 

The holiday season is almost upon us. My favorite time of year and it begins with Thanksgiving. Actually, in my house, it begins a week or so before.

Since we no longer host Christmas with my children – too many of them for our small house – the kids have taken over. However, we still do Thanksgiving dinner here – with a couple of the kids and the rest come over later for dessert – so I put up our tree and Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving.

When the kids were small, we used to put up the tree the day after Thanksgiving. Neighbors all told me we were nuts. Funny, how many trees and decorations I see on Thanksgiving, and even before now days. It warms my heart. Guess I wasn’t so crazy after all.

Anyway, as I said the holidays start with Thanksgiving. Of course, we have the traditional turkey and dressing (after the blessing – oh wait that’s a Christmas song) and then the other kids come over – as well as grandkids – and we have dessert. Usually more than we can possibly eat.

It’s been my tradition ever since my kids got married to give them something on Thanksgiving, usually a Christmas decoration of some sort. I was into ceramics for a while, so naturally they got ceramics, a Santa Claus ornament or statue. Then I was into woodworking and made them Santas, Christmas trees or other ornament. Eventually I was into red work embroidery and made them wall hangings of – who else – Santa Claus. I started quilting and yep, you guessed it, I made them table runners – no not of Santa Claus – and wall hangings (Santa of course). Eventually I started buying them ornaments.

My son and daughter in law begged me not to get them anything this year. They’re out of wall space and their tree is full of ornaments. I’ll have to see what I can come up with, because no way am I breaking that tradition. That’s part of the fun of the holiday season. Maybe I’ll be nice this year and look for Santa Claus candy, something consumable.

When I was younger, my mom started baking the day after Thanksgiving, making huge cans (potato chip cans and not the small ones) full of cookies. Back then everyone entertained and visited a lot during the holidays. Sadly, that practice seems to have stopped.  There wasn’t a weekend that went by without some aunt or uncle coming to visit. I loved those days. I don’t bake as much as I used to and certainly don’t start the day after Thanksgiving.

The first weekend in December, my daughters and I spent the days shopping. They used to help me pick out gifts for their children, but since their kids are all grown up now, (well most of them are, I still have a couple young ones) I don’t need to shop for them anymore. I’ve taken the lazy, safe route and give them cash. I’m sure they like it better. Once they’ve moved out or married, they join the ranks of the adult couples gifts, usually something homemade now since we’ve retired and money is tight.

Christmas Eve is spent with my siblings – two brothers and a sister. We’ve lost a sister and brother some years back and it’s not quite the same. Nieces and nephews used to join us, but that was back before most of them married. Now they have other families to share the day with and we’ve dwindled from a group of 37 down to 8 plus a couple nieces and nephews whose families are out of town.

I still love the holidays and look forward to them as much or more than any child. The hustle and bustle of getting ready, the family gatherings, and spending time with loved ones. I’m very blessed and thankful to have all my children and most of my grandchildren within twenty minutes of me. We miss the ones who can’t join us, but it’s still a lively group and growing by leaps and bounds. Not only are some of the grandchildren married or dating, they’re having children of their own. I dread the day when their parents decide it’s too much and they want their own families around them for the holiday. I know that day will come, maybe sooner than I think, and it’ll sadden me, but I do understand. We had to do it also as our kids grew and had families of their own. But for now, I’ll enjoy what God has so richly blessed me with. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Time to Love Again

 The man next door, his granddaughter and her sister’s ghost help bring Rose Asbury out of her seclusion. Fifty-eight year old, Rose Asbury knows people think she’s a recluse, but she doesn’t care. She just wants to be left alone. She doesn’t need anyone and no one needs her and that’s just fine. At least she didn’t until this year. For some reason this year is different. Suddenly she’s melancholy and discontent with her life..

And the man next door doesn't help matters. Every time he sees her, he insists on speaking to her. So her stomach tumbles every time she sees him, that doesn't mean anything. Hunger pains, nerves, she just wishes he'd leave her alone. Or does she? 

Featured Author Tricia McGill

BWL Author page:  https://bookswelove.net/mcgill-tricia/

I come from a large North London family and being the youngest of ten was encouraged to read and write from an early age. Never particularly interested in the sciences, I loved the English class simply for the chance it gave me to write short stories about anything and everything. Another favourite was Art, where I loved my teacher—probably because she chose one of my paintings to show in an exhibition where I received a commendation for my portrayal of Joseph and his coat of many colours. I pictured him lying beneath a tree while having his famous dream.

Because our mother was a skilled seamstress, who could work wonders with her skill, it followed that all females in our family were destined to work in the clothing industry. Pushed towards that trade, I fought against it, but eventually caved. I did enjoy my work as a pattern cutter in a fast-paced industry. One of my books, A Heart in Conflict is set in that scenario. I never did fall in love with my boss though. Thus, it wasn’t until I retired early due to spinal problems that I began to write in earnest. I joined BWL Publishing in 2013. I am so glad I made the move to this marvellous publishing house, where I joined a host of amazingly talented authors.

I write primarily Romance and my books cover a few sub-genres, being mainly Historicals, Contemporary and Time Travel. I am a sucker for a happy ending. I feel my life has been blessed, so perhaps that is why I always like my characters to have their happy ever after. My husband and I moved to Australia many moons ago. Three of my sisters were already happily ensconced here so I had no qualms about travelling across the world.

My husband Bill was the one who encouraged me to submit my first full-length novel to a publisher; in fact, he took my first draft along to a publishing house in Melbourne. The chief editor read my book and even sent me a long critique and words of encouragement I will never forget, even though she was a publisher of medical tomes. Turned out she thought it was romantic of him to approach her for my benefit. Sadly he passed away before my first book was published. I have great pride in my family saga Remnants of Dreams, which won the Romance Writers of Australia’s Romantic Book of The Year award in 2003, then under the name of Traces of Dreams. Although fiction, this book was based on my mother’s life. She lived through two world wars, struggling through poverty and all that came along with life in the 30s, 40s, and onward and was one of the strongest woman I will ever know.

My Settlers Series is set in Australia in the early 1800s where woman had a similar struggle, with none of the necessities of life we happily enjoy today. Book one in this series started life as one scene set on the docks at Sydney Cove, and finally ended up as four books. Who knows if another will follow?

I have always loved Time-Travels and in truth would love a time travelling machine, but only one that ensures I could return to my easy life of washing machines, TVs and computers. My current work in progress is set in the midst of the London Blitz where a modern day woman from a beachside suburb outside Melbourne who is experiencing the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak is tossed back in time and forced to endure London at its worst when bombs were dropping nightly and ruining the lives of the folk.

 

Here is a short excerpt from the first chapter of Mystic Mountains (Settlers Book 1):

Isabella wrapped her arms about her middle and shuddered, swallowing the bile that threatened to choke her. "I don't ever want to see the ocean again as long as I live, Gracie." Much as she might wish she were back in Stepney, she would never want to repeat that dreadful voyage. A violent storm lasting for nearly two days coming round the Cape had caused such wretchedness they'd feared they would all perish. No, she wouldn't care if she never saw the ocean again.

Gracie nudged Isabella as the wharf loomed before them. "Well, girl, 'ere we go, 'ow d'ya feel, eh?"

"As if a mess of worms are wriggling about inside me, that's how."

Even when evading the constables in the alleyways and back lanes of Stepney Isabella had always felt that one day things would improve. That certainty died on the day of her arrest.

 

Powerful Destiny:

Rolf stared as if struck, feeling suddenly as confused as the child, for her words were spoken in his native tongue. Then, as the moon drifted out from behind a cloud, Rolf let out a gasp.

The woman stood straight and proud, long hair as black as the night falling to her middle. A band around her forehead secured its flowing beauty. Her clothing was no different from that worn by any other Celtic female encountered in his past, but something about her bearing proclaimed that she was very different in some way. As she touched some sort of talisman at her belt, she muttered what could have been an incantation. Perhaps she was praying to her gods.

In all his life and many travels, never had he seen such a vision of loveliness. Then Rolf cursed beneath his breath. What was he thinking? This was a Celtic female, only fit for becoming a slave.

 

When Fate Decides, (Challenge the Heart Book 1):

As Tessa pulled the door open, the words of rebuke died on her lips. It most definitely wasn’t a salesman. The man who stood there, smiling, was one she’d never expected to see again in her lifetime.

“Mrs Browning. I don’t know if you remember me,” he said. Oh, how she remembered him, and that rich voice of his. “The name’s Jack Delaney. I did some work here a few years back for your husband.” When she continued to stare at him in shock, he added, “We built the games room and extra toilet and shower room.” He shrugged. “Another guy and me were here for a month or so? You’ve probably forgotten me.”

Forgotten him?

If there was one person Tessa would never be likely to forget, it was him. His voice sounded deeper, but still held that same undercurrent of sensuality that caused her toes to curl.

“I know it’s not exactly the done thing to turn up like this on your doorstep, but I’d like to speak to you about your late husband’s business.”

 Visit Tricia McGill Author page for book details and to purchase books. 

 https://bookswelove.net/mcgill-tricia/