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This year I’ve chosen the phrase BE IN THE MOMENT because this past year of slowing down and smelling the proverbial roses has taught me that none of this is worth it if you don’t appreciate what you already have.
I’ve been a big supporter of NaNoWriMo since I first participated in 2009 (yes, TEN years ago), but about midway through November, I came to a realization: the no holds barred, write as fast as you can and worry about edits later mentality that makes NaNo what it is no longer works for me.
Anna B. Doe is a young adult and new adult contemporary romance author. She writes real-life romance that is equal parts sweet and sexy. She’s a coffee and chocolate addict. Like her characters, she loves those two things dark, sweet and with little extra spice. When she’s not working for a living or writing her newest book you can find her reading books or binge-watching TV shows. Originally from Croatia, she is always planning her next trip because wanderlust is in her blood. She is currently working on various projects. Some more secret than others.
Beth Rodgers is an author and editor. Her newest release is a children’s picture book, Welcome to Chanu-Con! She is also the author of two young adult novels, Freshman Fourteen and its sequel Sweet Fifteen, as well as the short story Hearts & Homes, found in the Mistletoe & Magic anthology from YA Books Central. Her world is made up of her three boys, her husband, and good family and friends. She loves spending her time watching TV and movies, volunteering at her kids’ schools, taking walks, and, of course, reading great books.
I’ve created a guided journal for those who’d like to teach themselves to find the good in each day. Each two-page spread has lines for three daily good things, plus a space for the three highlights for the week. There are no dates—only lines to fill in what week it is—because you shouldn’t wait for the beginning of the year to start a journal.
In the past when I’ve finished a book, I’ve given myself a week or two to catch up on writing-related things like updating my website, then I dive into the next project. But it never felt like enough. This year has been different.
As most of you know, for the past ten months I’ve been working on a book that is bigger and darker and twistier than anything I’ve ever written. It deals with mental illness and self-sacrifice and took more out of me than I could have imagined. And now it’s done!
Except it’s not.
Erica M. Chapman is a young adult author who writes dark, emotional novels with bursts of humor, and lighter contemporaries with smart-ass protagonists. Her debut novel, Teach Me to Forget (Simon Pulse) is out now. She’s a member of SCBWI and a lifetime Detroit Lions and Michigan football fan who loves alternative music. She tweets, and watches various CW & Freeform shows while typing her next story on her MacBook.
My latest novel has been the most difficult thing I’ve written to date, combined with other struggles in my personal life, and “You got this Travis” has become our mantra. It’s from a Vine video that my friend shared with me and it’s a simple encouragement that also makes me smile.
Keep reading to see the video.
Debbie Manber Kupfer is the author of the young adult fantasy series P.A.W.S., which features a secret institute of shapeshifters hidden deep beneath the Jewel Box in Forest Park, St. Louis. In addition she has stories in several anthologies including Fauxpocalypse, Stardust, Always, Winter Wishes, Sins of The Past and Sins of the Future and is the editor of the Sins of Time anthology series. She has also published a book of puzzles, Paws 4 Logic, with her son Joey. She believes that with enough tea and dark chocolate you can achieve anything!