WOW!!! It has been a while since I have said anything. Not that I don’t have something of value to offer, it’s simply life has been busy. My son turned one, work picked up, and… Well let’s just the holidays are busy around here, but I’m back, with a new schedule and lots of things to discuss.

Before moving on let me just say this- I’m ready to admit it. After two years of trying, I have come to realize, that I am a NaNoWriMo failure. That’s right. For two years straight I have failed at writing 50,000 words in the month of November.

It’s not that I want to fail, it’s just something that seems to happen. Last year my excuse was: “I have a newborn with colic.” Most everyone seemed to accept that as golden. This year it was: “Man it’s tough to write with a toddler.” And it’s true, it is tough to write with a toddler. But those are just excuses. The truth is- I’m just not a NaNoWriMo writer. And you know what- That’s okay.

I have discovered that when it comes to writing there is no one way. You either find a way that works for you, or you don’t. Some succeed in one approach while others find a whole new direction. The point- Never give up, never look back, and do what is comfortable for you.

Every year I read blogs from folks that are discouraged by the fact that they can’t succeed at NaNoWriMo. For some reason (despite how much they plan in advance) they always managed to hit a brick wall. Well for two years straight I have not only hit that wall, but slammed right into it.

Now don’t get me wrong. I did manage to write twenty three out of the thrity days. And I did hit close to 17,000 words on my WIP. So it wasn’t all a waste. But I would rather focus on my way, vs the NaNoWriMo way. Why- Because it’s just not for me.

Now, moving on… I’m very excited about 2014. I have lots of short stories I worked on in 2013 that I feel are ready to go out. I haven’t sent them to beta readers yet and my wife hasn’t had a pass at them either, but they are there and finished. I think I’m looking at putting about four of them out. So hopefully I can get them all published by October sometime. Well that’s all I got- It’s freezing cold here in Edmond Oklahoma so if your in the same boat I in- Stay safe, stay wram…

J.J.