Only three more days until November is upon us! During this month, I will be working on...

Drumroll, please ...

the sequel to Firemark!

Okay, so maybe that isn't that much of a surprise; however, I have been thinking more and more about two other ideas I have for single title stories. Similar to Gunpowder Falls, these books would be one and done. The first idea I have is a contemporary romance that focuses on a recently divorced couple living in Vermont or Maine, and the story of how they grow back together. The second idea would be a historical romance dealing with lifelong friends separated by social class. Funny how I always get new ideas when I should be writing something else. The good news is that I have already outlined the sequel to Firemark, and I'd work on it now, but I'm waiting until the official start time of midnight on November 1st. If I started now, I couldn't count those words towards my ultimate goal.

To prepare, I have recently tackled some more courses from Welysan University made available for free through Coursera to NaNoWriMo participants. I had gotten away from these with work demands, but have found that they are a refreshing way to come back to focus and practice the art of the craft. I've only taken two creative writing classes, both in high school a long time ago. With a double minor, my time at college didn't leave much room for creative writing, and in a way, I have mixed feelings about that. Given the amount of work I had, the level of feedback may have put me off writing forever. At 18 I wasn't ready to hear it.

Finding my way back to writing once I'd established my career gives me something else to focus on when work gets tough. I also have money and time now to invest in writing. Having spent ten years away from it entirely, I have also gained an appreciation for how special it is. Being able to do something creative, and learn a skill from other like-minded people has given me a new lease on life. Other people my age have started to express concerns about their jobs, and they feel like they don't have another place to turn. All of a sudden we thirty-somethings aren't the newest kid on the block, nor are we in a decision-making role with an eye on retirement. There's someone ahead of us and someone behind us. Stuck in the middle, people I've spoken with are trying to find the zest that once fueled their ever-ready smiles. Similarly, people get married, have kids, and can quickly lose sight of something they loved a long time ago, something that was just for them.

This November will be tough. Writing 1,670 words a day is no joke. It's exhausting, frustrating, time-consuming, and can leave the most inspired feeling bereft. I'm going to love every second of it. If you haven't tried writing before, you should join up. Anyone can. When is the last time you've done a challenge entirely for yourself? When is the last time you were creative?

You can join here, and once you do, look me up! We can be writing buddies.

If writing isn't your thing, you should consider doing Inktober next year, which is drawing based. Here is a list of other creative challenges that exist in the world. I'm quite sure you can find something to spice up your creative juices. I have.

Onward!

Kathryn