NaNoWriMo

I did it.  I signed up for NaNoWriMo!  In case you don't know what that is, its the National Novel Writing Month and basically you have to write 50,000 words of a new novel in the month of November to "win."  Check out the website for all the details and to register... only one day left before we begin!

I have always wanted to participate, but haven't ever done it!  Since I'm nearing the END of my current novel, I'm feeling like I should give it a try!  My plan was to finish the end of my book before the end of the month and then give it out to a selected few for their take on it while I give it a break for a month.  Then during that time, I would begin something else.... haven't decided if I want to jump into the second book or if I want to try something totally different out... still chewing on that one.  

But I just had double knee surgery and so my progress has been slowed.  Or rather stopped.  Here it is one day before the end of the month and I should be in the home stretch!  But I still have three chapters left.  So I'm going to give myself a break and just try to finish as soon as I can, given my circumstances.  And in the meantime... I registered to do NaNoWriMo.  

I have two sisters that are doing it too, so that makes it even more fun!  I'm excited to be inspired and doing something at the same time as so many others!  There are lots of helpful tips from other authors and perks of finishing.  There are also local write-ins and things like that to help.  Plus, if you submit the final book, there are agents looking for that next best seller!  Anyway, after reading this post, it got me all inspired, and so I'm doing it!  

So, check it out!  JOIN ME!!  Let's be NaNoWriMo-ers together!

dizzylittlechatgirl

here's how I see it: a review of "Sharp Objects"

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book by Gillian Flynn, which I read since I liked "Gone Girl" so much.  I really love Gillian's writing style.  Her descriptions are amazing!  The storyline of this book was disturbing, which is her intention.  I didn't like it as much as Gone Girl, but I also got through it pretty quickly.  I think I'm captivated because it is so different and since it's a little out there, its like I can't look away.  A good halloween time read, showcasing some pretty crazy characters.  I don't know how she comes up with this stuff!


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dizzylittlechatgirl

here's how I see it: a review of "The Picture of Dorian Gray"

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was... interesting at best.  I really liked the premise that Dorian was able to transfer his "aging" to the painting, and go about unmarred by the decisions he makes and unaltered by the consequences.  But, for a good 3/4 of the book, Oscar Wilde seemed to be pontificating on a myriad of subjects that ended up reminding me of the Woodstock bird on the peanuts comic strip.  You know he's talking but it comes across as mumbling words that are meaningless.  I listened to the audioversion of this book and I don't think I would have ever been able to get though it if I just read it.

Not to knock Mr. Wilde, but I think the idea of this book could be adapted and redone to make a new book that is very interesting and much more compelling.  The whole relationship with Sibyl Vane was so rushed and intense it was unbelievable, and then the entire time Dorian was off doing all these terrible things, I didn't feel connected to him or what he was doing at all.  I knew the murder was coming but I wish it wasn't so obvious as the next step.

I had a friend say that this book was meant to be discussed, not read, and I think she was right on.  Of course you have to read it to discuss it, obviously, which is the downside.  The relationship with his friends, Harry and Basil were also so strange to me.  I'm sure some of that had to do with the time period, but again, I was left feeling just.... disconnected.  I knew Dorian did all these unspeakable things, but I didn't FEEL it from him.  I didn't hate him, or feel sorry for him.  You never want to feel apathetic towards the main character.  Maybe its the difference of showing, not telling, which I always hear about as a writer.

The two stars I'm giving it are for the idea of the story.  I think it could have been so much more.  Sorry, Oscar Wilde.


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dizzylittlechatgirl

The Life I Thought I Wanted

You know how when you're little and you imagine you grown up life, you just knew certain things would happen.  I remember a 4th of July with my cousin, looking up at the fireworks, dreaming about when I would be doing that same thing with my husband and we talked about what our husbands would be like, and how we would live on the same street and our kids would play.  In my mind, I was going to get married in my early 20's have four-ish kids basically right away and then proceed to be the best mommy ever.

Ha. 

My life isn't really anything like I pictured, but I'm sooooo glad its not!  Here's some things I never thought I would do:

• Marry someone 9 years older than me- SCORE for me!  Hubby is still amazing after 10 years.
• Have stepkids- Never thought I would ever have to be a stepmom, but I LOVE it!!
• Leave my religion- Its a looooong, heartbreaking story, but the road to truth led me somewhere I never would have expected, but I'm so happy with where I am.  This one, for SURE I never in a gazillion years would have imagined, since I was raised extremely devout.  Like i said, its a long story...
• Spend 7 years trying to get pregnant.  Thought for sure this would be a cinch.  What did I know back then??  But I'm the HAPPIEST mommy in the world, and I cherish every single second with my perfect son.
• Work in the Insurance and Investment Industry for 10 years.  yeah, not sure how this happened, but I learned a lot and now I'm SO THANKFUL EVERY SECOND that I will NEVER EVER EVER have to do it again. :)
• Write a book- never even considered it as a possibility... now I'm almost done with a whole entire book!  
• Live in Utah- never pictured staying here, but since my girlies are here, this is where we are.  But I love being around family and enjoying the seasons.  
• Become much more open minded- I didn't realize it at the time, but I was kind of judgmental.  After all the things I've been through in my life, I've learned that you can never pretend to understand where someone is in their life, what they've been through or that you would do it differently if you were them.   You have no idea what you would do if if you walked their road.  Now, I just try to be nice to everyone, and accept people for who they are at that moment.   Who am I to judge?

It's funny because never in a million years would I want the life I thought I wanted back then.  I wonder if there are things I think will turn out a certain way for my future now, that will veer totally off the course I have mapped in my mind.  I'm sure it will happen.  Who knows what the future holds??

What things haven't gone as you thought in your life?  What would you change if you could go back?

Hope you have a great weekend... I'm planning to!

dizzylittlechatgirl

here's how I see it: a review of "Gone Girl"

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gone Girl is a devious, crazy, twisted ride, and I couldn't put it down!  Seriously I think I read it in three days.  I loved Gillian's writing-it was so descriptive in this crisp and raw way.  I loved having the two character viewpoints because- for the first half anyway- I could see both perspectives clearly and understand where they were coming from, pulling me back and forth from one side to the other.  I thought Gillian nailed Nick's viewpoint, making him a solid character that felt so real.  Then the second half of the book.... holy crap!  Let me just say I didn't see anything coming and I was riveted by all the twists.  This story is dark and messes with you head, like a car accident you can't look away from.  When I said it was raw, I think that's a perfect way to describe it, raw language, raw descriptions and raw subject matter, so its not for the delicate of heart.  It's been a long time since I've read something I couldn't put down, so if you're looking for a page turner and are ready for a crazy ride, this is it.  I will definitely be picking up her other books.


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dizzylittlechatgirl

four things spinning around in my head...

1)  WORDS WORDS WORDS 80,000 words!  I'm over 80K in my book now, which is very exciting!!  I'm wanting it to be between 95,00-100,000 so basically I just have the END left!  My biggest obstacle right now is TIME!!  My little buddy has been sick a lot this month- I know they SAY that you can't get the flu from the flu shot, but I SWEAR he got it.  And then three other times in a month and a half!!  I am sick of the sickies!  I'm putting HEALTH vibes out into the universe right now!  Anyway, My goal has been to get a full, edited first draft done by the end of the year.  I'm really hoping I can beat it and get done sooner!   I have been working to get to this point for YEARS!  I have edited and changed and omitted and added but NEVER FINISHED!!  I have learned a tremendous amount through this process and hopefully it will show in my book!

2) HUNKERING DOWN- I'm having knee surgery on the 25th.  I've been battling knee pain for over ten years now and I'm ready to be done with it!  I'm young and healthy and active so whhhhyy should I be limited?  My knee caps are tilted, causing bone one bone irritation.  This surgery will correct the groove they move in.   Luckily it's laparoscopic, but I do have to be knocked out for it! :(  I'm doing both knees at once, which is a harder recovery... but only ONE recovery.  I'm thinking if I just hunker down for the winter months, by next spring I should be good to go!!  Wish me luck!!

3) MY ROLE AS A STEPMOMMY  My three girls live about 1/2 away from me and consequently we do a LOT of driving to see them.  It's recently become very apparent that we need to be closer to them.  It's such an important time in their life and they really need the influence of their daddy more often than they are getting it.  One of them for sure would come live with us and the other two are saying they would, but we would have to see how that plays out.  Moving from where I live to where they live is NOT something I want to do!  There is a long list of reasons, but they really just boil down to me being selfish.  And as their stepmom, I have a responsibility to give them the very best living conditions and opportunities that I can.  So.  I think we might be moving.  Before my surgery.  Please refer to item #2).... Sometime before the 25th.  Today is the 9th.  Awesome.

4)  FALL  I can't even tell you how much I love the fall!  We have been doing all sorts of fun things for the season.  Tons of yummy fall meals, pumpkin picking, carving, costume halloween parties, decorating, festivals, scary music and of course scary movies!! I LOVE the fall!!  My little boy LOVES elmo... so here's a picture of his pumpkin I carved for him this year.

What's spinning around in your heads?  What are your favorite FALL traditions?

dizzylittlechatgirl