It's October. How are you prepping for NaNo?

This year has gone by incredibly quickly and somewhat successfully for me. I have had poems published, I had a short story published (and I got paid for it!), I have been writing articles for an online news website and a friend and I started our own website. And as the year is beginning to end, it is only getting busier for me.

Next month I will participate in NaNoWriMo for the 5th time. I have previously won each time and also finished editing two of the four novels I wrote during the month so I am looking forward to working on another novel this year.

I know November is still a month away, but in-between my other writing projects, I try to do a little preparation for NaNo so I can start writing on November 1st and not battle writer's block.

So for this post I thought I'd share some of the resources I use to prepare for NaNo in case any readers are interested in participating in NaNo or are looking for inspiration:

1. A NaNo Handbook
One place to start would be with the novel written by the founder of NaNoWriMo's. No Plot? No Problem! was written to help writers embarking on the NaNo journey. You can buy it on Amazon or check your local library.

2. Looking to Adopt
Once you have decided to participate in NaNo, there are plenty of helpful forums on the website including an Adoption Society forum where other writers leave ideas that need homes. You can take one from there and if you're kind enough, leave one of your ideas that you've had but haven't gotten around to writing.

3. Catch up on Current Events
Reading newspapers or watching the news could help spark an idea.

4. Play "What if...?"

5. Talk to your friends.
Sometimes even random conversations can lead to an idea that could lead to a novel.

6. Visit writing webites
Websites like Writer's Digest offer prompts (among other resources) and other websites are dedicated to only offering prompts like this one.

So now that you may (or may not) have an idea, what else can you do during October?

Last year I found this website that offers a whole month's worth of preparation for NaNo. It specifies things you can do each day until NaNo begins.

Until next time, happy writing!

Published and Paid

I have been having a good writing year: I have written poems and stories and am currently editing a novella, my friend and I have started a website, River Poets Journal accepted one of my poems and now a story of mine has been bought.

Yeah, you read that correctly. Infective Ink bought my short story "Lost and Found." I wrote it in response to a prompt of theirs. I'm even happier because so far it has four likes and two positive comments. Go check it out and let me know what you think.

The Writer's Workout

                As I am getting older and the elders in my life are aging and having health problems, I've been thinking about some of my unhealthy habits. Most of my hobbies cause me to be sedentary. Playing certain video games, making jewelry and knitting aren't the most active hobbies in the world. And then there is the writing—hunched over a desk, writing on paper or sitting and staring at a computer screen—again, not very active.

                I also like watching TV and movies and I came across a meme on Facebook a few weeks ago which is an alternative to all the drinking games out there: the Harry Potter workout. I can watch Harry Potter movies and move around? How productive! What a good idea!

                So I decided to draw up a similar workout for people like me: the writer’s workout. I mixed up the instances that call for exercise so whether you are actually writing or procrastinating from writing, you will get some exercise in. I hope you find it useful:

If you:	Then you do:
Introduce a new character	10 jumping jacks
Stop writing & check your email	10 pushups
Stop writing & go on social media	15 pushups
Start a new page	10 crunches
Start a new chapter	10 lunges
Write a flashback	5 leg lifts
Stop to question or edit or work	20 crunches
Stop to get a drink Stop to get a snack Stop to take a break Write a long chunk of dialogue Write a joke	10 mountain climbers 15 squats 10 burpees 10 side lunges 30 second jump rope

                Happy writing and exercising! 

And More Projects

A few posts ago, I said that I had many projects going on that were keeping me busy. Since then, I posted links to some of the articles I've written, a book review and a poem that was accepted to be published.

My other projects are still keeping me busy. As a participant and winner of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), I can receive 5 printed copies of the novel I wrote for free. The catch: I have to have it edited by the end of this month. The offer expires on June 30th. So I have been busy, busy, busy trying to finish editing. I already know it's not going to be ready to be published, but the thought of having it printed is exciting.

But that's not all I've been doing.

A friend and I have created a website called Geek Curious which is a site for all things geek including beginner guides and how to's for people who are not as geeky as we are. We just launched and have already posted two articles with many more to come. I hope you will take the time to check out the website.

I'm a Book Reviewer, Too

I read a lot. I've always read a lot. So when I saw that Steampunk Chronicle was in need of writers, I jumped on the opportunity. They sent me a book, Untimed, and I wrote this review for them:
http://www.steampunkchronicle.com/Media/Literature/tabid/154/Default.aspx

Tales from the Matriarchal Zone

The special edition issue of the River Poets Journal is now available online. You can click on the link below to check out the journal and my poem. You can also order copies of the journal through their website.

http://www.riverpoetsjournal.com/SpecialEditions-Anthologies.html

I am going to be published

So my last post said that I have a lot of projects going on. I've still been writing for Being Latino. Most recently I wrote two articles about coffee and student debt. Be sure to check them out.

My friend and I have also started a website called Geek Curious so if you are a geek or want to learn about the geek culture, go check it out. We just started it and will officially launch next week. We are also on Facebook and Twitter where you can follow us at @geekcurious.

My last announcement is that a poem of mine will be published in the upcoming issue of River Poets Journal. The poem "Abuela's Food" will be published at the end of the month. I am very happy.

That's all for now. Be sure to check back soon for more announcements.