No NaNo 4 Me

If you're looking for the Lucky 13 Blog Hop, read 13 Reasons to Love Halloween ... or it's one post down.

As October hits, it’s the hot question: “Are you going to NaNoWriMo?”

I’m even getting emails from “Your Novel” with the subject heading, “Please write me this November.”

Every year, I dutifully sign up, donate funds, go to write-ins and I get a lot done. But I never win.  Most often, I tend to write short. A full-length novel comes in at 50K. I’ve turned in 52K and had a copy editor suggest cuts in order to get it down to the required length. While writing, I usually “finish” at 45K and then edit, smoothing out transitions, flushing out descriptions and adding in those last 5K.

Some years, I’ve signed up knowing I was shooting for a 30K novella. Although I finished it, I still didn’t “win.” Well, officially. I completed the novella and got it published so that definitely counts for something, right?

I’ve met some local writers through the process, and had a blast hanging out with Kara Lennox, Rob Preece and Tari Lynn Jewett at IHOP and a local grocery store with our laptops. There’s nothing like 10 writers, clustered together working, without talking, garnering attention. People stared.

Why not this year? *shrugs shoulders* I fully support writers signing up, and working hard to complete their novel. I’m taking a realistic approach, and know I have three projects I’d like to finish in the next month:

1) The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: A Wolfe in the City – The manuscript is about 47K right now, and it needs to be completed.

2) Second For Men for Ellora’s Cave: The Quickie is more than halfway done, and could be finished up within a week.

3) R&R for Decadent Publishing: Need to polish a few areas, and get it back in. It’s been on the burner for when the other two items were finished.

Plus, I have another 1Night Stand rattling around in my brain. With the recent release of A Dance with Death, this character is clamoring for a HEA.

So officially … no NaNo for me. I’ll be cheering on my friends, and you can send me some good thoughts for wrapping up my projects!

Louisa Bacio

http://www.facebook.com/louisabacio

http://www.twitter.com/louisabacio

Pajama Parties at the OCC/RWA 30th Birthday Bash

Got your pajamas ready? Are you going comfortable or sexy? I know what I’m wearing! Coming Saturday, Oct. 8, is OCC/RWA’s 30^th Birthday Bash. During the day, we’ll be gaining creative inspiration from New York Times best-selling author Susan Mallery and Harlequin Executive Editor Mary-Theresa Hussey. But at night, the party truly heats up!

A variety of OCC author “hosts,” including me, are throwing Pajama Parties. That’s right! Change into something comfortable, and join others for some specialized mini-workshops.

Here’s the line-up, and a few brief descriptions:

•                Bedtime Storytelling in Pajamas (Not Just for Bedtimes) with Shannon Donnelly

Come and talk about the art of story telling -- it's not just craft and writing that sells a story, it's the story itself. We'll share ideas, problems, and stories, along with wine and chocolate. Free ebook to everyone who attends.

•                Brainstorming in Pajamas with Kara Lennox

             Think outside the box! A sure cure for the boring story is to get some brainstorming brawn behind it. Bring your skimpy plot, a character, or even the seed of an idea and see how fast the ideas fly when you get the group dynamic into the action. There will be chocolate and surprises!

•                High Concept in Pajamas with Kathleen Harrington

We'll be exploring the concept of high-concept, what it means in different genres and venues (books, movies).  Then we’ll brainstorm some high-concept ideas for romantic fiction, most especially fantasy and futuristic romances.  We’ll have drinks and a few treats, and I’ll have a prize for the most “high-concept idea” in the brainstorming session.

•                Passion in Pajamas with Louisa Bacio

Writing exercises include a naughty-toy grab bag, where guests will be invited to blindly choose one item (printed!), and then free write a scene using it. Wine, snackies and a few prizes will be awarded.

•                Pitching in Pajamas with Mary-Theresa Hussey

            Information on how to secure a “chance” for a spot to pitch to the Harlequin executive editor to come!

•                Plotting in Pajamas with Louella Nelson

             Story bogged down?  New storyline stumping you?  Get comfy and bring your notepad for this dynamic workshop that gets your story roughed out in one session. Handouts and munchies too!

•                Self-Publishing in Pajamas with Debra Holland

             Some goodies will be available and a handout with self-publishing resources.

Have you bought your tickets for the Bash yet? If not, what’s keeping you? Officially, there’s about one week left to make your reservation. The cost of the 30^th Birthday Bash, including lunch & dessert, is $40 for all RWA members and $50 for all guests (non RWA members). Pajama Parties are included in that price. The cutoff to reserve discounted rooms is Saturday, September 24. (Unofficially, you may be able to plead with our lovely president to buy a ticket for a few more days after that, but final numbers need to be turned into the hotel).

It’s all happening at the Embassy Suites in Brea

For more information, and to reserve your spot, visit http://www.occrwa.org/30thBdayBash.html

** Pajamas really are not required to attend, but I’ll be wearing mine!