Daily Note
Every day, a photograph, a poem.
November: National Novel Writing Month, also called NaNoWriMo. That means that for the next thirty days, I’ll be writing at least 1,667 words each day to reach a final goal of 50,000 words.
My Journey
Each year for twelve years I have reached that goal. Several are possibly pretty good fantasy novels for the early middle years. This year, I will finish a novel that has spanned four years, including this one. I write for the novel, its poetry/songs, and to illustrate characters, events, and settings. That will be the focus of this blog for thirty days, and I may miss a Wednesday WrapUp or two. But — you can see what I’ve illustrated in the past, and what I’m adding this year:
Take a look at artifacts of my novels so far. Click for AskWhatElse posts, with links to their Flickr albums below:
I got started in the classroom, with students setting goals for writing their first novel in the Young Writers program of NaNoWriMo. It was eye-opening to see what students could do on their own and how they would help each other consider new ideas and ways to express them. And for myself: I started writing and the story took off in world that had not existed before in a quest my character led me on. I wrote about the experience here: Let Them Write.
So, yes, I’m a pantser: I write by the seat of my pants. I just start in the action, and tale unfolds.
Today is the first day. I’m ready: my Scrivener project is ready, the Google Docs backup is ready, my word tracker is ready, the cover and title are ready. My Project goal in NaNoWriMo is ready. My tale started four years ago has not yet finished– the characters are coming together, but not quite in tune.
And so I start in the middle of the end, ready to see where Willow, Angie, and Olivia take us in the search for the missing friends, Walter and Sandra. Will we find them in time, or will the be lost in another world forever?
And so, a poem…
Poetry
I Write
November is for imagining—
Sheri Edwards
a running of words
to catch a story
to follow a character
and see where she leads,
to struggle when she
finds life had other plans
and chase her dream
penned in another world
where fairy friends
and dragon kin
join the quest,
sometimes pausing
in a tentative time
of just the right
turn of tale,
and sometimes
the tale tumbles
in a race to reach
a question’s answer,
until, at last,
the winding
string of words
weave the end
with the last period.
11.01.23 305.365.23
Poetry/Photography
Try It!
Get into the spirit of writing– 1,667 words a day is doable! Surely the art you’ve created has a few stories inspired by the art itself or the idea that started in the real world. It’s a powerful creative adventure. Take a look at how I got started: Let Them Write.
It’s not too late– sign up here: NaNoWriMo. Then find me: user ms.edwards
If you’ve got kids– there’s a place for them too Young Writers NaNoWriMo— with plenty of resources/ curriculum to guide you– for writers and for educators.
#clmooc #smallpoems #poetry23 #NaNoWriMo #NaNoWriMo23 #warmup4art
I wonder, if I draw a line... 