If we were having coffee I would offer you the best chair in my house. That’s the armchair facing the fireplace. Then I would bring out a large platter of thickly sliced homemade pumpkin bread with real butter. And pour you a jumbo sized steaming cup of something yummy. After you settled in, I would apologize for being an inattentive, distracted and downright absent coffee pal for the last few months.
This fall has been a giant cluster of crazy, expected and often just plan old frustrating events. I’ve dealt with some family illness, school projects that ate up whole weekends, a wild turkey invasion and I’m just finishing the guest bathroom remodeling project from hell. But I refuse to drag down our current good mood with all the sordid details! Believe me when I say only events of epic proportions would keep me from our coffee shares for this long.
After you fill me in on your Halloween plans, I show you the costumes I’m making for myself and the kids. I love to make costumes every year.
We’ll talk about your family and you fill me in on some current job drama. Then we talk about NaNoWriMo. 
You already know Heather posted her fantastic plan for winning this week. But you didn’t know I’ve jumped into the NaNo fray too! It’s only a week away and I’m excited to share my news. This is my third time, so I have a good idea of what works for me at this point. My plan is to start with two different book projects. This might sound crazy to you, but when I get stuck on something in my writing I’m stuck! It can take a few days for me to process the issue and decide how I want to fix it. By having two projects going at once I can jump back and forth and not lose those any writing hours. If I end up with most of a good first draft of one project and some scattered scenes on the other project that’s fine with me.
Since I know I’m NaNo bound next month, it’s made me shift my writing focus this month. I’m spending all my time freewriting and brainstorming my new story. I’ve also joined a group of very active Twitter sprinters and we have been pounding the keys every Friday this month. I’ve managed to set down a few thousand words in every session. I’m also trying to stock pile all my November blog posts, including the one I’ve promised to write for Part-Time Monster’s Monday Monsters. My posts there are all on creatures from Hispanic myths and legends. It’s a great blog series and well worth reading.
Since we’re both pressed for time this weekend (those pumpkin seeds don’t roast themselves), and we need to put the finishing touches on our Halloween costumes, you slurp up and run. Before you leave we make a promise to do this again soon.
If We Were Having Coffee is a blog hop inspired and run by the lovely and talented Diana, over at Part Time Monster. Please drop by her place for coffee. You can also see what other bloggers are hosting a coffee party by checking out her hashtag: #WeekendCoffeeShare on Twitter.
Two different book projects? You are ambitious, but I think you will do just fine. The series of Monday Monsters sound interesting, have to go over there to check it out. Thanks for the link. Have a great week. But make sure you take some time for yourself too, so you do not overwork yourself. Blessings!
Thanks, Claudia! It’s hard to take good care of yourself during NaNo, but I will try. : )
Thank you so much for the coffee, and for the yummy pumpkin bread with real butter. Butter is always such a treat. I contemplate NaNoWriMo every year, but have yet to jump into the fray since I can never seem to get my ideas together well enough. I admire those, like yourself, who do. Good luck and have fun! 🙂
Thanks, Robin. For me baking, butter and the holiday season all go together. And Halloween is the start of the holiday season and a reason for baking in my world!
I can see your point, NaNo is crazy! But also fun. Lots of people do it without a plan every year. And they do just fine! You might want to give it a shot and see what happens.
What a time you’ve had of it lately! Glad to see you back around the coffee share though, and looking forward to reading that next monster post. 🙂
Part of me is thinking about giving NaNo a go, but I’ve got no ideas and only a week to prep, so that might just be crazy talk. lol
I think every writer should try NaNo at least once. It’s hard, but you might end up with the start of something special. Even committing to 30 days of free writing could be fun.
The next monster post should be in your hand by Wednesday. I hope you like it. : )
The homemade pumpkin bread with real butter sealed the deal for me … I’ll be over in 5 minutes. lol
Thanks for all the tips provided on this site. I’m participating in NaNo for the first time this year and am really looking forward to it. The book I’m considering will be a ‘how-to’. I’ve tried stories before and just can’t get them off the ground. 🙂
@dino0726 from
FictionZeal – Impartial, Straightforward Fiction Book Reviews
Diane, I’m so excited to hear this news. You have been taking about writing a book for ages. I’m so glad you’re feeling ready to tackle this challenge. : ) NaNo is a great motivator. Even if you don’t finish the whole 50,000 words you will get a great start on your book. Send me your NaNo user name, I want to send you a buddy requests. I can urge you on. And send you more virtual pumpkin bread of course. : )
Wow, you’ve had a lot going on lately! I’m glad you were able to take a breather long enough for a coffee break 🙂
It is so awesome that you make the Halloween costumes for yourself and the kids. My mom always made my costumes (they were always better than all my friends, hehe). When I got older, I would help her put them together. It was such a fun project to look forward every year. I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as mine did! Good luck with NaNo! Writing stories is so impressive to me, never mind writing every day. I used to love writing stories, but it has been about 20 years. I don’t think I could wrap my brain around doing it now. Bravo to you! 🙂
I agree, homemade costumes do look better. And I enjoy Halloween more when I make the costumes. The don’t always turn out the way I expected, but they are from the heart. : )
Writing stories is like writing anything else, it takes time, it takes practice, it takes creativity. I know you have the creativity, so I’m sure you could do it. Why not give it a try.
Coffee time at your place sounds great, especially the pumpkin bread!! I’m gearing up for NaNo too. Good luck with the prepping!!!
Thanks, Holly. More NaNo friends! : ) It’s going to be a crazy month, but it always helps to know I’m not alone. Good luck to you too.
Oh, goodness, that sounds delicious. My sister didn’t want any at my house today either–oh well. More for me!
We’re going to need lots of sugar to win NaNo! : ) When we run out of pumpkin bread I’ll make lemon bars.
I’m looking forward to having such great writing buddies for this year’s NaNoWriMo. My buddies tend to give up about a week into November so I’ll be happy to have buddies that don’t drop out!
I’m with you! I’m planning on making it to the finish line. And it will be extra special fun doing it as a team.
I will have seconds on the bread!
Great, I’m glad you like it! I’m afraid it’s not proving too popular. : ( But I guess that just means more for us! Should I open some apple butter to go with it?