I did it!

With a little over two days and seven hours to spare, I completed my 50,000 word and became and official Nanowrimo winner. Thank you to everyone who gave me the encouragement I needed to do this. It was a great experience.

On to the next goal of finishing this new first draft by the end of the year. Check out the nifty new progress meter at the top of the page.

What happened to November?

So, what happened to blog posts for November? I'll tell you. Nanowrimo happened. If that word looks like it must be something other than English, you're not alone. Nanowrimo stands for Nation Novel Writing Month and happens every November. This was the first year I have participated. The challenge is to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November.

The first day of November I was quite sick and only wrote a few hundred words. I looked at the chart on the Nano site and the tasked seemed insurmountable. Each day I've trudged forward and today I am proud to say that I have reached word number 44,021. With only five days remaining in the challenge, I can see the finish line.

My novel will not be complete at 50,000 words so I'll keep plugging away at the first draft in December. An ending point around 90,000 words is more likely.

If you'd like more information on Nanowrimo, visit them at http://www.nanowrimo.org/, and consider joining the race next year.

Jillicious Desserts

Let me just tell you up front, this is not a writing related entry in any way, but I have to share with you about this awesome field trip we went on yesterday. I lead a small home economics 4H group call the Willamette Valley Workers. My two daughters are members along with kids from a couple other families. Yesterday we all trekked out to King's Valley to visit Jillicious Desserts. Wow, and YUM.

Jill Nagel, fellow PHS class of '89 alum, is the owner and pastry chef. When we arrived, she was completely prepared to give us a lesson in owning, managing, and succeeding at a home based buisness. The kids and adults were enthralled by her organization and knowledge.

Jill and the kids

(ignore the date stamps on the pictures. I don't know how to run this camera)

Did you know that you should be able to see chunks of butter in your pie crust? I had no idea. Jill led us through the process of making pastry dough and then the kids used dough to make galettes and mini turnovers. My husband was a happy man when we met up with him at the soccer game, warm pastries in hand.

turnovers and galettes

If you need a dessert and you live in our area, be sure to check out Jillicious Desserts.

Latest News from the Publishing Front

Cup of Comfort has been compiling stories for their new book, Cup of Comfort for a Better World. With over 2,000 submissions I find myself eager to read the chosen stories. So often we get pulled down by all then things that are not so right with our world. Conflict rules the news and around here, you can't even drive downtown without witnessing the clash of politcal views. I read that negative encounters are felt five times greater than postive encounters. Hmmm.

Sounds like a great time to focus on good news.

Here are the finalist for Cup of Comfort for a Better World. Look for it in bookstores next year.

Joy in the Mourning, by Karen Alexander


Courageous Water Angels, by Suzanne Baginskie

A Belly Laugh to Heal a Cracked Heart, by Margo Bodishbaugh

A Circle of Compassion, by Laura Bradford

Pfft Is the Sound a Better World Makes, by Christie Caballero

The Three Wise Men, by Sue Carrizales

An Oasis of Hope in the Muslim World, by Trudy Chun

The Firebird, by Linda S. Clare

Angel Magic, by Lisa Ricard Claro

Airport Angel, by Sybilla A.Cook

Quit Talkin and Start Doin, by Betty Johnson Dalrymple

The Rubber Chicken Cure, by Michele Ivy Davis

The Gratitude Effect, by Sharon Elwell

Baubles, Bangles, and Bubbles, by J.K. Fleming

One Less to Count Up, by John Forrest

Polka Dots and Sunshine Teardrops, by James Fox

Frugality Then and Now, by Beverly Goldberg

Mom Takes the Slow Road, by Tanya Ward Goodman

It Isn't Easy Being Green, by Esme Gosling

Four Large Eggs, by Linda Hoagland

The Kindness of Strangers, by Erika Hoffman

The Texture of Hope, by Ann Holmes

I've Always Got Time for You, by William S. Hubbartt

When a Kiss Means Everything, by Lyndell King

One for My Husband and One for Me, by Mirish Kiszner

A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed, by Joyce Laird

Holding Babies, by John J. Lesjack

The Face Beneath the Hood, by Beth Levine

No Prescription Needed, by Sue Lick

Forgiving the Unforgivable, by Mary Long

The Butterfly Lady, by Jennifer Lunden

Random Acts of Kindness, by Brian J. Marinelli

The Legacy, by Irene Martin

More Blessed to Give, by Anne McCrady

Cupcakes, by Betsy McPhee

The Man Who Did Windows, by Amy Mullis

An Adventure in Generosity, by Christina Nelson

Blossoms Among Thorns, by Betty Ost-Everley

Three Strangers, by Ava Pennington

Full Circle, by Jan Philpot

My Guardian Angels, by Lea Ellen Reburn

The Egg Lady of Ranquitte, by Connie Rosser Riddle

Benevolent Landlords, by Fran Roberts

A Hollywood Actor Inspires International Tolerance, by Eleanor Roth

Magic Baggies, by Carol Rothchild

The Coat, by Deborah Royal

The Right Thing, by Marcia Rudoff

Never Alone, by Carol Russell

The Beggar in Istanbul, by Rebecca Russell

Making a Dent, by Susan Sarver

Not Interested, by Eloise Elaine Schneider

Beyond the Classroom, by Eloise Elaine Schneider

You Bought Me Sleep, by Shelley Seale

A Little Can Be a Lot, by Elizabeth Sharpe

Giving Day, by Alaina Smith

One Child at a Time, by Linda Stork

Three Pieces of Silver, by Joyce Sudbeck

Fixing a Faucet while Mending a Soul, by Marlena Thompson

Two Photos and a Smiling Open Heart, by Grace Tierney

The Power of Pebbles, by Christina Trapani-Scott

Walking in Lila's Shoes, by Carol Tyx

A Better World for $50 or Less, by Ann Vitale

A Village Built with Ink and Dreams, by Samantha Ducloux Waltz

Trash Talk, by Stefanie Wass

Love Has No Limits, by Joan Watt

Injustice Is Everyone's Battle, by Dallas Woodburn


Congratulations to all the finalists.


Have a great week,

Christina

The Final 2009 ACFW Conference Installment

Sunday morning. The breakfast, worship, and message by Debbie Macomber were inspiring, but when I turned around the room was already half empty. Sadly, many of the attendees must start their travels early to get home at reasonable times.

I filled the rest of the morning with goodbyes to friends I've meet on the loop, in critique group, and at conferences.

At 12:15 I hopped on a shuttle with the hopes that if I arrived at the airport early, I might get on an earlier flight. No such luck. The 6:25 flight was the only one scheduled for the day. This left me plenty of spare time to get work done and the Donald Maas session had left me with much work to do. It was a good match.

About an hour before the flight, right when I had begun to go a bit stir-crazy, other people from the conference showed up. My flight home was shared by Christina Berry, Sherrie Ashcraft, Randy Ingermanson, and Chip MacGregor. It was nice to have the company and conversation to fill the wait.

So after days for running around, I spent nearly twelve hours riding two shuttles, one airplane, and sitting in an airport. At about 11 pm I arrived in Corvallis and my dear husband picked my up from the shuttle dump.
We were home ten minutes later. YAY!

Thanks for hanging in through my conference ramblings. I'm posting some pictures. Thanks to Christina Berry and her working camera, you'll be able to see one of the banquet picture clearly.

Brandilyn Collins, the conference emcee.

Sherrie Ashcraft, Christina Berry, Kim Moore, and me at the banquet.

Donita K. Paul with me. She is one of my sister-in-laws absolute favorite authors and a very sweet lady.

Have a great day and come back soon,

Christina

ACFW 2009 Annual Conference part 3

No cartoons this Saturday morning. After breakfast I was back in the Continuing Education class. This time I was able to stay for almost the entire morning session. I did have one appointment near the end.

Susan and Rachel talked about scenes and making them more powerful. I've learned to evaluate a scene for tension. You can't seem to get enough good conflict or tension in fiction. The other thing was to write it between the quotes whenever possible. I'm going back through my manuscript and placing more action in the dialogue.

After another huge lunch, we were off to workshops and then the big events began.

Here is a couple pictures from the book signing.

This is Christina Berry and me. Christina's first book, The Familiar Stranger, was just released. I'm reading it now and it's great.

Tina Ann Forkner and me with her book, Ruby Among Us. There seems to be a name thing here. I do actually talk to people that don't share my name.

The day concluded with the ACFW Annual Awards Banquet. It is always such fun to watch people being rewarded for their hard work. For your reading pleasure, I'm listing the ACFW book of the year award winners. Enjoy.

Debut Author


A Passion Most Pure Julie Lessman


Lits

Sweet Caroline Rachel Hauck

Long Contemporary Romance

Controlling Interest Elizabeth White


Long Contemporary

Symphony of Secrets Sharon Hinck

Long Historical (tie)

My Heart Remembers  Kim Vogel Sawyer
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires  Cathy Gohlke


Mystery

For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls Nancy Mehl


Novellas

Stuck on You in A Connecticut Christmas anthology Rhonda Gibson

Short Contemporary Suspense

Broken Lullaby Pamela Tracy


Short Contemporary

Family Treasures Kathryn Springer

Short Historical

Family of the Heart Dorothy Clark


Speculative

The Restorer’s Journey Sharon Hinck


Suspense

Fossil Hunter John B. Olson

Women’s Fiction

The Shape of Mercy Susan Meissner


Young Adult

The Big Picture Jenny B. Jones

I conclude this entry with a picture of our banquet desert. Sorry, I took a couple bites before snapping the picture. It was yummy.

Christina

ACFW Worship

The ACFW conference always provides an amazing opportunity for worship. Thanks to Rachel Hauck and the worship team for bringing us such great music. This is one of the songs they performed.