Why You Should Try NaNoWriMo

Another July, another NaNoWriMo.

For those new to the event, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo for short) is a call-to-action for authors to pen a 50,000 word novel in just 30 (or 31) days. What began as an annual November event soon morphed into a biyearly event with the version of "Camp NaNoWriMo" for the summer. Camp was so successful they broke it up into two events; one in April and the other July.

I wrote extensively about my first experience with NaNoWriMo. It was an unexpected journey that ushered me from uncertain fledgling into the realm of serious writers. I didn't know just how far I could go until I used the event to challenge my boundaries. It gave me the tools I needed to silence my goblin and helped me gain trust in my writing process.

What makes this year's Camp so exciting is the ability to set your own word count goal. Gone are my days of hanging my head in shame when I can't complete 50,000 words. I've attempted the November event three times and Camp three times previously. I only "won" the first time I tried in 2011. I've set next month's goal at 25,000 while I work on building a fantasy short story collection.  I feel confident that I can attain this while balancing my work and parenting obligations.

I hope you'll join me in July's challenge. If you're still not sure if NaNo is for you or if you think 50,000 words sounds completely insane (which it does), maybe my NaNoWriMo Survival Guide will sway you. If I can to do it, so can you!

New Website

After a few months of designing and transferring my domain, my website is finally live!

http://www.clkaywriter.com

The site is a place for me to bring together all of my work in one place. There are links to my stories, blog updates, art for sale, shareable graphics, and more!  The site will continue to evolve as I do so expect regular changes and tweaks!

If you've been keeping up with my antics you'll know this signals a huge leap for me. Everyday the goblin is quieter and I'm more open to sharing my gifts with the world.

I hope you'll visit soon.

New Story: Aloi Who Learned To Fly

Since I need some time away from my novel in progress, I decided to turn my eye on some stories I've had on the back burner. One that screamed at me the loudest is a young adult fantasy short story collection. I figured it would allow an opportunity to work on something fun and stress-free.

Elementia is a continent home to four countries. The cultures and people are defined by their varied landscapes--each ruled by one of the four elements. I begin my journey in the land of earth, Grovenglen. My goal over the next few months is to post new parts of the story on Wattpad. I'll add more each week as I edit. 

Here's the teaser:

"It was nearly one hundred generations since the Faeryfolk came to Elementia and settled in Grovenglen. The orators spoke of the days when they could flap their wings and lift themselves into the treetops rather than climb rope ladders. That ability, or gift, as the Elders called it, died off after they settled. The trees were so abundant that Faeries only needed to leap from branch to branch. 

Aloi was just like every other Faery child--content with tending to the family garden, trading with the mushroom gnomes, or floating in the Mirrored Pools. It wasn't until her junior brother Mick was caught in a high tree that Aloi discovered she wasn't at all like the other children. Can she keep her secret and avoid being sent to live with the Elders--or worse--banished from Grovenglen altogether?"

As always, Wattpad is FREE TO ALL. Just click the link, sign up, and read!---> Click here to read.