Sunday, November 29, 2009

Novembers last Sunday...

Oh. My. God. I did it. As of about 11:30 PM (11/29/09)I finished my novel with 50,666 words.
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I am simultaneously exhausted and exhilarated. I did it, I really did it. And I know lots of people do it, lots of bloggers here have done it. But this is my first time, so let me gloat a bit, okay? LOL

Last year, in early November, my computer crashed, if you recall. I was 7000 words into nano and was having a helluva time making it there. It was almost a relief when it crashed. This year I got really behind a couple of times and then I managed a couple of surges and suddenly the words were pouring out of me like crazy. And after being stuck for a little bit at about 24K words I was sudden;ly off and running and it just is now over. IT'S OVER!!!! woohoo...

I have had a wonderful holiday weekend, spending time with friends and family and feeling the blessings of gratitude wash over me again and again. There was lots of good healthy food, good not so healthy food (lol), and the feelings of family that can be so scarce in so many lives these days. I was taken back to all the holidays like this that I have missed because I lived on the other side of the continent, and because I was drunk and because I was ashamed. And I am sooo grateful that that isn't the deal anymore for me.

I got to have a wonderful day on Friday with my most beautiful niece who is 6 years old. Earlier this month she started writing me letters, sometimes she inserts poems or songs that she has written for me. When I get one, I send her back a card or a postcard, and we are having great fun with it all. She writes and reads very well for a 6 year old. What blessings.

I am really tired and my eyes hurt from staring at this computer screen so long the past 30 days. lol I am pumped. I bought myself a motivtional gift--Barbara Kingsolver's new book The Lacuna-- as a bribe for finishing NaNo...now I get to read it. Hurray!! But not now...it's after 1 AM and this puppy needs to hit the hay soon.

I love you all and have missed being here. I am so glad to be back!

Love and blessings, Anniek

10 comments:

Andrew said...

And I am so glad you are back! I have missed you.

Congratulations on 50,666 words for NaNoWriMo!

Much Love to You Dear One.

big Jenn said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful accomplishment! It seemed like a long month! I have missed you here and I'm glad you're back. Your daily dose of gratitude helps me and feels so good to read.
I understand why your niece loves hearing from you so much! jeNN

thailandchani said...

Congrats! What is your newly written novel about?

I'll also be curious to know what you think of Lacuna.




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Enchanted Oak said...

I just bought Lacuna too! It is my treat for being chosen to read my poetry and a brief story on our local NPR station.
Awesome job, finishing a novel. I did it myself once, to see what it was like. It was hard work. So kudos to you.
Have missed you, Annie. Welcome back.

Akannie said...

Thanks everyone for the kind words!! I have missed you all so much ((Chris))--we have good taste in writers! Congrats on the NPR gig--that's AWESOME!
((TC))--It's a story about a big family who experiences a traumatic event. Told from the differing perspectives of everyone involved. I hope to start Lacuna today--did you read it yet?

(((Jenn))) I love you so much...there's a brief reference in there to "Sixty Five Roses" and when it was writing out of me, I thought of you and ((Annie)).

((Andrew)) It was such a shot in the arm talking to you the other day. Thanks for loving me and being such an important part of my world.

I'm SO glad to be back!

Unknown said...

Whooo Hoo!!! So glad that you did this...I did it last year and started this year, and am still writing, but it will take me a bit longer to finish which is good for now.

I am getting Lacuna for the holiday!!!

So glad you are back..I've missed you greatly!!!

love
g

Carol said...

Nano is something else, isn't it. I was jealous that you got your sticker until I read of your travails last year. I feel less alone knowing that you were hit with probs too.

One Prayer Girl said...

Congratulations on the writing. What a wonderful accomplishment. I don't know if I would be able to stick-to-it long enough to do such a thing.

Glad to hear from you.

PG

Jess Mistress of Mischief said...

YAY!!!!!!!!!

Queenneenee said...

Thats awesome darlin. I can't wait to read it! I'm gonna have to look into Lacuna, it seems a lot of your readers recommend it! Blessings to you my friend!