Jennerosity

Yes . . . it’s true . . . today is my birthday.  However, today is NOT my 30th birthday.  Confused yet?  Good.  Hopefully things will become more clear if you keep reading!

In the days leading up to my birthday, I was thinking a lot about what I wanted to do for my birthday.  Even though a nice dinner out would be good, what I want more is to participate in one of the writing challenges/contests coming up in September.  However, due to the work schedule of my job¹, spending the time on writing wasn’t really a feasible option.

But it got me to thinking.  I want to be writing.  I want to be published.  It would be a dream come true if I ever managed to support myself through writing.  It’s what I feel drawn to do.  But, I also have a 9-5 job that demands my time along with a slew of hobbies, social engagements, etc.  But, if I’m actually serious about the writing thing, I need to buckle down and start prioritizing my life a bit differently.

So, next year, when I actually do turn 30, my gift to myself is going to be a finished manuscript that I can start shopping around.  This year will be the third time I’ve done National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and will be the third manuscript I’ve started.  So, by September 4th, 2010, I want to have one of them finished.  Complete.  Ready to shop around.  I still like the first two novels that I started.  So, it’s just going to be a matter of adding the time and energy to what I’ve started so that one of them gets finished.

And if you’d rather contribute to my birthday present to myself next year than bother with anything else, here are some ideas to get you started . . .

• Ask me how the story is coming and sit through at least 5 minutes as I prattle on.  You get bonus points if you actually remember something plot worthy and ask specific questions.  But, you can also feel free to let your eyes glaze over too.
• In November, leave me alone.  Seriously.  Don’t ask me to go out to social events², don’t phone me, don’t stop by to just chat.  For the past 2 years I’ve written 50,000 in the 30 days of November.  I’ve written about 6,000 words during the other 11 months.  Let me have the 30 days to write as much as I can since that’ll go a long way to me reaching my goal.
• If you’ve got several hundred dollars lying around that you don’t know what do to with, you could always buy me Microsoft One Note, or pay for me to take a writing workshop/online course, or contribute towards a writer’s retreat weekend.³
• If a few hundred dollars is a bit above your budget, but would still like to buy me something, a nice bottle of wine or some fine dark chocolate (think quality, not quantity) really helps to get my creative juices flowing.
• Or, if you’d rather choose an inspirational gift, I’m sure there’s are a few fiction or non-fiction writing books that I wouldn’t mind adding to my collection either.

1. You know, the one that actually helps me pay my bills [↩]
2. I will still be attending NaNoWriMo social events since I’m one of the Municipal Liaisons this year, but outside of that, no invitations please! [↩]
3. Just email me if you want more specific details on any of these options [↩]

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