Character Flaw – Nanowrimo Instagram Challenge

Todays challenge is about truth. We are all flawed and fall short of the person we want to be.
It’s hard for a writer to give their hero flaws. Or to give the villian a save the cat moment (a humane and kind gesture).
But perfect people don’t exist in real life and would be boring to read about.
Thank goodness for The Negative Trait Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi.

Quote for Today
“Stop trying to ‘fix’ yourself; you’re NOT broken! You are perfectly imperfect and powerful beyond measure.” – Steve Maraboli

Meditation
Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. Eccl 7:20

Writing Today
I woke up with the plot for Book 2 of The Cosy Mystery Trilogy, but it was several hour later when I arrived early for yoga, before I could scribble it down.

Nanowrimo is nearly here. It isn’t too late to think about writing a book. My first book was written with a rough idea, no plot whatsoever.
Authors show no one their first draft. It’s always the 2nd, 3rd or 22nd before its good enough to share.
But you can’t edit a blank page, whether it’s a manuscript or life.

The background photo is of the pretty Azalea’s in the Millbrook Reserve, Christchurch.

Be very kind to you today.

#amwriting #writersnetwork #christianauthors #christianauthor #christianwriter #nanowrimo #christianwomenwriter #authorsoninstagram #authorofinstagram #bookstagram #eidlewise #travelnzopenspaces #kiwigreynomads #greynomads #womenontheroad #romancereaders #christianromance #grief #smile #happiness #InstaWrimoChallenge #love #spring

Plot Twist- Nanowrimo Instagram Challenge

Todays challenge is for mystery and thriller writers. Readers love working it out, but they love a good twist, whether they see it in advance or not – because the author must give clues leading to the end result.

Quote for Today
“When something goes wrong in your life just yell ‘Plot Twist’ and move on.” – Molly Weisf

Meditation
“Above everything else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Pr 4:25

Writing Today
The writing took a back seat. It happens. I met with a group of writing friends. Such an encouraging and positive experience.

Nanowrimo has helped many successful writers get their career started.

The background photo is of the newest family members. Five little kittens joined us yesterday morning.

Favourite Book – Nanowrimo Instagram Challenge

Todays challenge is for you and me both. What is your favourite book?

The answer is such a hard one.

My most read is Anne Of Green Gables, after the Bible.

My favourite genre is mystery, with romance.

I love books with strong characters that stick around in my mind long after the book is finished. The author was done their job creating believable people.

I also like a strong message, not cringing from topical issues like family violence, protecting our planet, giving a hand up for the less fortunate, encouraging world peace, and not placing a high priority on possessions and consumables – living simply, with a light footprint.

Quote for Today
“So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install a lovely bookshelf on the wall.” – Roald Dahl

Meditation
“Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” Rom 10:17

Writing Today
The WIP took a leap forward. After the school run my morning was free to ensconce myself at the library and work for two solid hours.

Nanowrimo has YouTube videos on how to write a book.

The background photo is of the goats and sheep on my daughter and her partners lifestyle block at sunset. Peaceful.

Leave a note in the comments of your favourite book. We readers are always looking for our next book.

Something Old, Something New – Nanowrimo Instagram Challenge

Todays challenge definitely lends itself to romance. ‘ Something old, something new, something borrowed something blue’ – the tradition required for every bride on their wedding day. Im looking from a different perspective.
In a way our lives have had a demarcation – our old life before Covid, and our new life after Covid.
None of us knows what lies ahead, but our reaction to it will determine what our new life looks like.

Quote for Today
“Our philosophy is about reaching back to move forward. We have something different to say with a sensibility that is both old and new.” – John Varvatos (fashion designer).

Meditation
“Don’t love sleep, or you will become poor, open your eyes, and you will have enough to eat.” Pr 20:13

Writing Today
The WIP is at a stage of summarizing the chapters to tie up loose ends. Four chapters put into a few sentences. Sounds easy, but it is not.

Nanowrimo is about learning good writing practices that set you up for your writing career.

The background photo is of the Otago Central Hotel, reaching back into the past, using old machinery to create modern design. Modernising the old hotel for cyclists and other visitors. Old. New.

Writing Rituals – Nanowrimo Instagram Challenge

My day starts with the alarm – Matt Redman singing 10,000 Reasons. Because when I lost Geoff, I really needed a reason to crawl out of bed. Water. Coffee.
On to prayer and a Bible reading, water, and meditation. Coffee. Turn on laptop. Coffee.
Tune into the O’Dark Club. Water. Write 1500 words in 20 minute sprints. Coffee.
Okay, thats the dream morning.
It happens once or twice a week like that.
I do start with the alarm, prayer, and then I get side tracked several mornings a week.

Quote for Today
“Put your butt in the chair and write 1000 words a day.” – ubiquitous writing quote.

Meditation
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Prov 16:3 God feeds the birds, but he doesn’t throw their food into their nest.

Writing Today
89 words. 89! Then school run and childcare while Mum went to dentist and completed messages.

Nanowrimo is all about encouraging writers to fulfill their dreams.

The background photo is of the pretty tulips my daughter planted in her garden around the Golden elm we planted in Geoff’s memory.

MC’s Deepest DesireNanowrimo Instagram Challenge

The next two challenges are MC’s (main character) Deepest Desire and Time Travel? There is no time travel in this cosy mystery, but it does go back forty years from time to time.

My main character’s deepest desire is her love of her husband (but he is the vicar so she frequently has to share him with others) and they’re facing empty nest syndrome. Her deepest regret is not being with her mother when she died.

Quote for Today
One of our deepest desires is to love and be loved.

Meditation
“Faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor 13:13

Writing Today
My day for R&R. Every writer is a reader first. I’m currently reading The Moon Sister – Lucinda Riley, JOMO The Joy of Missing Out (more about this later) – Tanya Dalton, The Relaxed Author – Joanna Penn and Mark Leslie, Playing for Pizza – John Grisham and Writing the Cozy Mystery – Nancy J Cohen.

Nanowrimo is full of writing tips from famous authors who willingly share their knowledge for free.

Your Favorite WordNanowrimo Instagram Challenge

Love
Love is one of my favorite words. Wear the garment of love because it goes with everything else you wear.

Love is the answer to so many questions, even the big ones like world peace and caring for our environment.

Todays quote is the essence of every successful love story.

Quote for Today
“I saw that you were perfect and I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I loved you even more.” – Angelita Lim

Meditation
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. … Love never ends.”

Writing Today
Exploring brother – sister relationships, one I never had the privilege of having.

Nanowrimo is digital for the second year in a row. Prior to that, writing groups met locally.

Dreams and Nightmares -Nanowrimo Instagram Challenge

It’s been a long time since nightmares plagued my sleep. Demons were put to rest when I slept with a man who faced death many more times than I did:
a van that broke down in the outback when the roads were unsealed and much less traveled;
a tour bus brakes failed when travelling a mountain pass;
an air balloon accident where others lost their lives;
the same cancer diagnosis twice – eight weeks to eighteen months to live.

He put things into perspective with his courage and outlook on life.

Quote for Today
“I have had dreams and I have had nightmares. I overcame the nightmares because of my dreams.” – attributed to Jonas Salk, inventor of the Polio Vaccine. I couldn’t verify the source of the quote. The quote works well for today’s challenge.

Meditation
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Writing Today
Didn’t make my word quota, and with back to back meetings had no hope of catching up. But I did find out about Lauri’s brother…

Todays background photo is the main street of Oamaru with some of its beautiful Victorian architecture.

Nanowrimo rewards participants with badges as each goal is achieved.

Happy 95th birthday Winnie Ther Pooh.

If Your Novel Were A Meme

– Nanowrimo Instagram Challenge

This is a challenge. What is a meme?
Does it have to be a picture / cartoon? Thankfully no.

“The vicar walked into the church to find a body lying by the baptismal font.”

Quote for Today
Good morning meme “Just five more minutes”.

Writing Today
Packing up to move the camper on to our next destination (which was completely changed due to high winds and a phone call) so I only managed half my word quota. It happens.

Todays background photo is twelve-year-old Benji. Getting him up some mornings is as hard as getting a teenager out of bed.

Nanowrimo is for all ages, youth, mid life, senior. The goal is to encourage writing with plenty of support.

Overheard dialogue – Nanowrimo Instagram Challenge

To overhear dialogue, one needs to be out and about, listening for ebb and flow. Conversation is interrupted. Laughter begins before the sentence is finished.

Some people have unique things, analogies, old adages said in a modern way. Write them down for later use (carry a notebook or use the one on your phone). Um, it’s a bit creepy to listen in on some conversations. This is for research.

A caveat here. Remember those who listen at keyholes hear nothing good about themselves. Be discerning and wise about what you record.

Quote for Today
“Well done is better than well said.” Old Addage

Write down all your great ideas when they arrive. And then stop talking about writing and actually do it.

Writing Today
Someone is sleeping in the Vicars office at the church. And someone is sleeping in Mrs Browns campervan. We finally find out who.

Todays background photo is blossom springing forth from the tree trunk.

Nanowrimo has volunteers all over the world who support writers in their area. Check their website for your closest local. With COVID everything is online again this year.