The End In Sight (Deep in the Land of Nano)

How are my fellow Nanowrimers doing?  I am flying through this part, but I know I am going to have to face a lot of rewrites on Edge of Ruin.  I am ready though, but first I need to finish the novel and at 75k words and counting i am starting to see an end in sight.

I took some time off to enjoy my friends youngest sons fall concert.  Very cute I must say.  But I am still writing, and the story line I think is pretty strong. 

I also am realistic and know that this wip is going to need some work.  I am just happy that I am getting the story down.  I am happy to be writing.  Thank God for the gift of words, it is truly freeing in more ways than one.

God Bless
Michelle

Keeping Your Head Above Water...Trial and Error in the World Of Writing And Publshing

As a writer of course my passion is the written word, whether I am the one writing it, or I am reading something.  I love a book that holds on to me and doesn't let me go, and that is the way I want to write, but there is more to an authors life than just writing novels.  After nearly ten years of being an "author" you know that magic word you can use when you are published, I still find myself trying to figure out things like Authors Platform, and how to better your sales, and believe me I have ready plenty on the subject, but I am still trying to figure it out, I will let you know when I get somewhere.

Some may say you could always higher a publicist, and where pray tell is that money going to come from?  I find myself wondering, because the truth is I am not exactly making the kind of living Danielle Steel does at this, of course my genre is different, but I am simply trying to make it, keeping my head above the water in the publishing world.

My publisher does next to nothing in the way of publicity so its left to me, and if I tell you the name of the publisher, you may say why in the world did you publish with them.  The truth was back then I did not know the things I know now.  Ten years can make a person do a lot of growing you know what I mean?  So its left up to me, and yes I have facebook, with more friends than I can count, Google Plus twitter, heck even pinterest, and still I am fighting to keep my head above water...I am trying to make it as a writer, and yet I keep doing it... Some may say well you can always stop writing, and get a "real job" and that has always made me want to scream, you know what I mean?  I have a real job, writing is not merely sitting at a computer all day, typing words, you research, you read, you run around looking for the information you need until your eyes feel heavy, and you wonder if your head is going to explode, and still you do it, because you are a writer, and not writing, would be like not breathing.

I'm a writer, and that is not going to change, even when I feel like pulling my hair out because the sentence does not turn out just right, even as I face rejection and dismal book sales, I am going to write, because write I must...

From the Land of Wrimo 2012

Greetings my friends, pull up a chair, and a cup of cocoa, or coffee whatever you prefer, and write on, those of you who are writing, and for my followers who are not writers, just pull up a chair, something warm to drink, and keep reading, everyone is welcome here.

A week in of Nano and I am pushing nineteen thousand words on my Novel.  Some may ask why you want to due Nano, the truth is simple I enjoy it, and it gets those creative juices flowing.  It may not be like any other literary contest, but the point is its fun, and I enjoy it.  I am also working on other projects so I am plenty busy.

Writing has been a passion of mine for a long time, I guess its only natural because I am a reader, and for the past five years Nanowrimo has been something I have looked forward to.  I do not expect to write the great American Novel in the span of thirty days don't get me wrong, but I do find that often times I get ideas that I can tweak into ideas that turn into something worthy of print.

The boys have their own desktop now.  But they still love fighting over my laptop LOL!!!!

Well I guess I better get back to the word count, maybe I can make it to twenty k tonight, that would make me very happy.  Anyway happy writing my fellow wrimers, and happy reading to everyone else.

God Bless
Michelle~

Nano Countdown 2012

I don't know about you, but I am ready for this years Nano are you? I have actually got my novel outlined, and I am ready to delve into Edge of Ruin. I always start out this way though, on fire to start, but somehow I always barely make it to fifty k perhaps a little higher by the end of the month, but I am aiming for about seventy k with this novel, and I am going to be busy writing.
Tomorrow I have errands to run, and will be getting little things like that done, but other than that I plan on buckling down and writing. I can't wait.


Tonight I will be going with Fran and Ethan trick or treating though, which should be fun, other than the fact I have a cold, but its a cold I am sure I will survive LOL!!!


Mikey wont be going because he left for sixth grade camp today, where does the time go? I can remember when I went to sixth grade camp, never mind how many years ago LOL!!!
Well I hope you will be joining me in the fun of Nano this year, my fellow writing buddies, until next time!
God Bless
Michelle!

On The Closing Of Hope Center

It has been a crazy few months in both positive and negative ways I have settled in to my little studio and am quite happy with that but on a negative note Hope Center closed its doors a week ago Sunday.

I am going to miss the time with the kids but I have my writing to focus on and the boys of course.I'm trying to look at this on a more positive note but the truth is whenever a church closes it does bring a measure of grief.

In the meantime I have several works in progress going on and will be taking part in nano this year as I have for the past five years. I have also decided it is time to focus more on the publicity aspect of my writing and I have more time to do that now so I am going to focus on creative but inexpensive ways to reach others with the words God has placed upon my heart. I know that this blog is one way to do that so I want to be a little more real regular on my postings here.

I hope you'll join me in this journey through the writing life and be blessed with the words the Lord has given me to share with others.

Michelle Kidwell

In the Center of God's Will?

I was having issues with my health last night, mainly pain, in my lower back and Kidney areas, so because I could not sleep, I found myself doing a little reading, and one of those books was a Beth Moore book, and this quote just popped out at me, kind of like a spiritual slap on the face I guess...Not all hardship is caused by sin. sometimes difficulty comes smack dab in the center of Gods will. Beth Moore

I was having one of those why me moments the other day, because the pain level was so great, and the fact is I am no stranger to pain, my pain tolerance is fairly high.  I live with Myopathy and a Neuromuscular disorder but this was more intense than anything I had ever felt, it kept me awake for a good portion of the night, I found myself crying out, even angry at God.  I tried to serve him, I did my best to live the Christian life, oh the good Lord knows I am not perfect I tried, but the pain, wow the pain.  At that moment I felt like the only one in pain.

I am sure none of you have ever felt that way.  You are all strong Christians, who have never asked the Lord why right?


It was a night later when that quote from Beth Moore came at me, reminding me of God's will for my life, and to remind me that I am not the only one who struggles, who has her physical problems, I am not perfect but I serve a perfect Lord, and despite the pain I lead a blessed life.

I am only human though, and I have been accused of having some kind of Pollyanna complex, and the truth is I try to remain positive, but I am not some kind of Super Christian who goes through life without troubles or tribulations.

A Nations Tragedy (Aurora Colorado)

I could be blogging about my word count, or my current work in progress but in light of the tragedy in Aurora, I find myself reflecting and praying over that.

I can not get the images out of my head, images of bloodshed in a movie theatre of all places.

We go to the theatre to escape to have some enjoyment, and though I may not agree with every movie that comes out, as an American and as a Christian that is my right, but I also do not feel like this is the time to place blame on someone in Hollywood, we need to focus now on making sure the victims get the justice they need.

Twelve dead, among them an up and coming sports caster, who narrowly escaped a shooting in Toronto Canada, two months prior.

Jessica wrote this in one of her blogs, words in her blog dated June.5th words that I think we should all take to heart,


I say all the time that every moment we have to live our life is a blessing. So often I have found myself taking it for granted. Every hug from a family member. Every laugh we share with friends. Even the times of solitude are all blessings. Every second of every day is a gift. After Saturday evening, I know I truly understand how blessed I am for each second I am given.

Jessica Redfield/her working name is only one victim, a victim who was given her face, many we do not even have a face or a name for, because families still have to be notified.  Funerals have to be planned.


Who knew that in America, going to a midnight premiere could suddenly become punishable by death.


I woke up this morning hearing the news wondering at first if it was some movie playing, but it was real.  All to real.

God Bless
Michelle~