You Must Try
In February 2013, an idea for a story came to me, in such a rush, that for one month, I did nothing but write. However, by the time November approached, I found excuses for why I couldn't possibly participate in NaNoWriMo: I probably didn't have another story in me; the month kicks off with my son's birthday; we usually have family in town for at least two weekends in November; Thanksgiving—and a week off for the kids—rounds out that month. No way can I write 50,000 words, right? Last fall, though, after urging from one of my writing group members, I decided to shelve the excuses and put on paper the women's fiction that was in my head. Sure, I was busy—who isn't with four children, their activities, my own teaching, editing, and writing group, and life's everyday business? But I found myself with a goal in hand and because of that, I prioritized my writing. And miraculously, everything fell into place: my kids behaved and allowed me time to write; no one c...