Every year toward the end of October, I get excited, not because of Halloween, but because NaNoWriMo is around the corner.
National Novel Writing Month (often shortened to NaNoWriMo /ˈnænoʊ ˈraɪmoʊ/), is an annual, Internet-based creative writing project that takes place during the month of November. Participants attempt to write a 50,000 word manuscript between November 1 and November 30.
— Wikipedia
Every year in the past 10 (?) years, I couldn’t wait to start NaNoWriMo, but at the same time I knew I couldn’t afford the time required for the task. I watched my writer friends complete their novels; I envied them.
Again, this year, I assessed my abilities to write, and came to a conclusion that I am getting closer than before, but I’m not totally ready even though I do have a story in my head. Then, I discovered NaBloPoMo – National Blog Posting Month (Blog every day in Nov.), and decided to give it a try.
I have to be honest with you, I am excited and scared. Doesn’t ultimate achievement always come with these feelings?
Another concern that I have: how will readers feel about my daily post for 30 days? I know we all have many blogs to read… sometime too many… (Sorry, I’m going forward anyway. I have to.)
A Bike Story
When I was in college, my friend lent me a bicycle. It was nicer than the old bike I left at home. Hadn’t had a bike for 3 years (during school year), I appreciated the opportunity, and rode it everywhere for a couple of weeks.
I thanked my friend profusely when I returned the bike, and told him all the places that I had visited, including a college campus close to where I lived.
His face turned white. “You are not supposed to go to there,” he said.
“Why?”
“Because… that’s where we found the bike.”
“Found? You mean…”
My face turned white, I am sure. (Later I was told that they’d returned the bike to where they found it.)
This incident stays in my mind all these years. I can’t help thinking what if the bike owner saw me when I was riding the bike in the campus? Would he give me a chance to talk? Would he believe what I was going to tell him? Would he jump into a conclusion before knowing the truth?
What if I were the bike owner? Would I give this person a fair chance to explain?
I learned not to quickly judge anyone, praying for the wisdom to act accordingly. And I’ve never borrowed a bike since then 😉
Thanks for visiting my blog.
HHC Blog 
Hi Helen, I’ve the same feeling in relation to the Nanowrimo, I always say ‘next year’, the idea of a blog per day is great. Really scary your bike story, you were luck that nothing bad happened to you, not sure if I’d still have that person as a friend.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You, too? Maybe one of these years we can do it together 😉 My biggest concern is: it will affect the “family” time. Do you feel the same?
There is an angel watching over me — I know it by my heart.
Have a great evening.
LikeLike
Yes Helen, maybe next year, or next we can cheer one another up. I agree, we already have so little time for ourselves and family, we need to find the right moment for our writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Helen–I would love a daily post from you for 30 days! This story was fascinating. How could you have known? The thought of you getting caught for something you had no part of….no wonder you’ve not ridden a bike since.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lois. I know I can always count on you… I am so blessed to have you as a friend.
Believe it or not, this is the first time I told this story. Three or four years ago, I saw my friend in Taiwan – first time after 40 years. One of the things I said to him was: “I can’t believe you did that to me.” Oh well, they were young and unafraid, and I was innocent and naive.
Have a wonderful evening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Helen, go ahead and accept the challenge. You are showing signs of a great “author”.
Now we can smile after reading the story as it was in past 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rupali. I think NaBloPoMo should be all right, since I can post photos some days. 😉
I am very hesitate in participating NaNoWriMo, because I know how much my husband had suffered when I wrote my novel. We heard jokes on golf widow; not many people realize there are many other kinds. 😉
Thanks again. Have a wonderful evening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In some cases photography replaces writing 😀
HAve a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It counts as 1000 words, doesn’t it? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice story. A good start! Do it!
“not to quickly judge anyone, anything,” — a lesson for me as well! ^^
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lady Oscar. It’s only the second day, but I am already not 100% sure I can complete it. We’ll see, I guess. 😉
Did you watch the World Series? 不食人間煙火大概不看棒球吧? 😉
Have a wonderful evening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hang in there… you have 24 days to go. ^^
I am a baseball fan! I don’t watch TV，唯一打開電視看的就是棒球 (偶爾籃球)。 What a great series! (maybe not for fans in LA…)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not good in math? Ha ha ha… 26 days to go ;-( See, I am counting, too. 😉
I am glad you guys won. There are several nice bloggers in Texas.
Have a wonderful evening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha! no, I am not good at math at all! (or I tried to make you feel better unconsciously? )
Keep on going!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to admit that you did make me feel good for a second. 😉 Thanks.
Have a great afternoon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow – u have known about the national book writing month for ten years? I’ve only known if it for a few years and this was the only year I thought about it – but quickly rejected the idea (not at all in mood for such a challenge but perhaps some year)
And congrats on finding the Daly post idea – whoever thought of that is brilliant and I hope u have fun!! The times I have done a month of postaday have been special periods that I remember in various ways – leaves a special memory and in my opinion –
Don’t worry about how followers feel – cos folks are adults and can just not read all of they choose- ya know?
Lastly – the bike story was funny
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Yvette. I was quite involved in writing before 😉 I ran two writing groups, sponsored a writing contest for 3 or 4 years, and taught writing workshops for a couple of years. When you asked me if it was possible to work on a book together (long time ago), I didn’t realize you had many writers to contribute to the book. I thought it was only two of us and that would take too much time. (I am so happy you got the book done!!!) 😉
I spend my time taking pictures now. I think Daily post may work well, because I can use the opportunity to revise some of my family stories and pass them down to my daughter.
Good night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
wow – I did not realize you had such a strong writing background and passion – well I knew you wrote books and all that – but it does not always go hand in hand – if you know what I mean – and then I see your photo posts lately and so I mainly see you through that lens these days (get it – pun – lol)
and sorry if I was not clear enough on the contributing to the book – ill keep that in mind – and as u noted – it ended well and it really seems it was exactly as it needed to be.
and yes- the daily posts could help with those stories – and hope it works out better than expected – side note – I will never again do a year long challenge – because the art one became too art heavy – and duh – it was an art daily challenge – but I realized that I can only talk to much art in a certain period of time… ya know?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to go back to read our old emails. I thought I tried to talk you out of doing that year long art thing. Ha ha. But you did many days and we appreciated it!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
well I still have it going on my other blog and it runs until December. I actually have also liked doing it all year because at art shows it gave me a reason to meet three artists – and so actually it was the ongoing art discussion that actually became lackluster for me – and now don’t get me wrong – I love art (like you do) but the reason i don’t teach it anymore is the same reason – I am rather saturated already and while there is always so much to learn – I get burned out when too many units are spent on that subject alone.
Does that make sense?
But art is kind of amazing because it has a way of connecting to so many things and so like this week with Sacuri art from Argentina in my fiction piece – well when art flows in naturally I like that better than every single day. and with my other blog (where the 365 days of art has been posting) I can schedule two weeks at a time and then archive it…
oh
and you did chat with me about it and i am glad you did not talk me out of it….
ha!
so thanks for yielding – because as noted – it led me to getting some cool shots and meeting some artists – and I will miss part of that when it is over (but I will not start a new challenge – or if I do- a month long one is max) – hopefully.
lastly – thanks again for your super fun feedback and comment chatting last year this time…. I was just getting priorhouse going again and you and a few other bloggers brought extra freshness my way (like usa through our eyes and D) –
oh wait – one more thing – there was actually a blogger who made a book called “365 days of art” – guess it was released in October – need to go back and see….
LikeLiked by 1 person