Steady progress is easier said than done with NaNoWriMo. I started out writing every day, then I dropped down to every 2 or 3 days with wordless spurts in between. I found out that didn’t worked. I slipped further and further behind.

So, yesterday I went from 7.5k to 11k words. How was that possible? By turning off internet access and tying myself to a chair at the local Starbuck’s.

And thanks to my NaNo system of support–my Nano Buddies and fellow Nano BlueBoarders–seeing their progress inspires and motivates me.

I also heard from notable author, Katherine Paterson, who sent a goodwill email blast to those of us in NaNoland. Her message, laden with encouragement, melted away my feelings of despair. Here’s an excerpt:

I aim always to get to the end of the first draft even though all the time I’m telling myself that I’m writing nothing but garbage that no one on earth would ever want to read, especially me. But I tell myself that this poor little attempt, this garbage, deserves a chance.

Just as our beautiful dog Annie, who was the runt of her litter, grew into the most beautiful, loving dog anyone would want, so there may be hope, even for this pitiful mess of words I’m accumulating. So I say to myself: Don’t read back too far, don’t try to start rewriting, just get to the end.

Alas, my story is a runt. It is a middle grade novel called Between Friends. I’m enjoying the process of writing it but sometimes it’s scary. I’m doing the whole thing as a rough draft and I can’t slow down to edit or even spell check. One might say it’s a homely little runt, at this point, but I’m committed to feeding and caring for it and I’ll watch that puppy grow! The half-way point of 25k is this weekend. I must speed up my typing like my story depends on it. (It does!) Wish me luck!

Feel free check out my Nano page here.

That’s right: NaNo. Short for NaNoWriMo aka National Novel Writing Month.

Here’s how it works: You pledge, along with a trillion other crazy writers, to write your own 50k novel within 30 days, in the month of November.

Whatever you write is your call. For example, I’ve got a middle grade story brewing in my head. I’ve no outline, no character studies and no particular theme in mind. I’ve only the audacity of trust that a novel will sprout from a few lines of notes.

My method certainly doesn’t suit everyone. Some writers begin with a high degree of preparedness. They arm themselves with enough research and source material to dig themselves out of trouble–even they expect surprises along the way. For other writers, surprises are the way. They have no inkling of the story that will surface as they are 110 per cent reliant on their muse.

There is no right or wrong way to start. It’s all about the writing.

I know I’m in for a wild ride. I did NaNo twice before. Got to 35k in 2005 and 14k in 2007. (I skipped 2006, the year my PB came out.) Not bad for a picture book writer, eh?

Okay, so if I didn’t make it to the finish the first two times, what makes me think I’ll do better this time?

I have a few things figured out. Besides having learned something from the previous times, and the growing vault of Nano wisdom tricks and tips, I have three things in place:

1. A laptop. I am the proud owner of an Intel Macbook Pro—my main computer since my beloved workhorse PowerMac died last spring. Have laptop, will travel… and this laptop shall remain near my fingertips the entire east coast family trek come Thanksgiving break.

2. Goodies. This includes rewards and self-administered bribes. I’ve grown wise to the fact that I need the carrot, as well as, the stick. So, some weekly rewards or incentives are in order, starting with a new chocolate brown NaNo t-shirt. Love its cool front design and 10-year anniversary pronouncement on the back!

Other potential rewards: A new book, a visit to a local day spa and chocolate. I could get used to this!

Of course, completing a 50k first draft is it’s own reward.

3. It’s the 10-year Anniversary. NaNoWriMo reaches a new milestone year so I’m pumped up and inspired to succeed. Nevermind the two trial runs I’ve had as a participant. Three’s a charm, right?

One of the perks about NaNo are the friendships and cameraderie that develop. I have my talented friend, Laura, to thank for telling me about NaNo back in 2005. She is a NaNo winner two or three times over and the coolest NaNo buddy one could ask for.

Kai, my daughter, is also taking the NaNo challenge. With her natural gift for words and storytelling, I’m curious to see what she’ll write.

With a heap of inspiration from Laura, Kai and others in NaNoland, I’m fixing my eyes on the 50k finish-line. If I hardly blog, it’s because of NaNo. If I skip meals or forget to floss, blame NaNo.

For all you dear, brave and crazy fellow NaNoers:

May your fingers fly to the finish!

I did. Take a look!

Here’s the Front:

And the Back:

I made these hearts for an online contest to win an ARC (advanced reading copy) of David Macinnis Gill’s upcoming YA book, SOUL ENCHILADA. (Crossing my fingers for the ARC and mystery gift!)

If you want to join the contest, you have until July 31st.

Here are David’s instructions for entering:

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1. Create your own candy heart at http://www.cryptogram.com/hearts/. Your heart can say anything you’d like. You are not limited to phrases from the ARC (since you haven’t read it).

2. Copy and paste this entire post–as well as the image of your candy heart–on your blog, Facebook, MySpace, website, etc.

3. Once you’ve completed #3, email me at davidmacinnisgill AT gmail.com with the link to your post. Voila! You’re entered in the giveaway.

4. The contest will be judged by three teen readers based on the criteria of originality, design, and message. The contest closes July 31st.

5. The prize is a personalized, signed ARC and a special gift, TDB by the judges. The winner will be contacted via email. Her/his name and winning entry candy heart will be posted on my lj blog, as well as my home site DavidMacinnisGill.com

————

Fun contest… and clever promo!

Now Hear This… Kira Willey, my uber-talented musician client, sings her original song, COLORS, in a recent Dell commercial. COLORS hails from Kira’s award-winning debut album Dance for the Sun (Dec 2006) featuring 13 songs written, composed and sung by Kira and her musical family and friends. The album CD package was designed and illustrated by yours truly.

Dance for the Sun is sheer delight. Really. The tracks kept me juiced with inspiration as I worked on the art. Though it’s filled with original songs and yoga fun geared toward children and families, many of the songs have universal appeal. Not a surprise that COLORS was picked for the Dell ad.

Kira’s full recording and video of COLORS can be found here.

Two clown friends of mine, Natasha and Jamie, had a beautiful, touching and funny wedding at the Julia Morgan Theater in Berkeley last month. They delighted us with professional circus artisty, a lively cast of performers, stories and laughs.

Because they had a small, private wedding ceremony last year, Natasha and Jamie decided to celebrate their union in a big way this year. What better way than to round up their circus and musician buds and perform for family and friends? All silliness and showmanship aside, the ceremony was heart-warming–a true celebration of love.

The photo above depicts a dazzling aerial duet performed by friends of N&J to the song Loving You, sung in a sweet a cappella by Natasha.

Natasha and Jamie exchange clown noses with Pyglet at their side.

Rubber chicken in hand, Jeff Raz, officiated. Ta Da! A happy, red-nosed couple flanked by a joyful wedding party ;-)!

Says Christian Siriano, winner of Project Runway, Season 4.

Highly skilled, talented, creative, blah, blah, blah, Christian’s sass and strong design sense made him a standout constestant. He’s the youngest winner so far on the popular American reality TV show.

I’ve watched Project Runway since it began. Season 1 and 4 are my favorites. I love watching the designers execute their ideas from start to finish. It’s not so different from illustrating– processing and problem-solving, that is.

This is my first Illustration Friday illo in months. I had fun creating this piece but I stayed up late (again). I drew it by hand with a brush-pen and touched it up digitally. I toyed around with other colors but found that lavender and black worked quite well for Christian. Whatcha think?