Well… it looks like my prediction of not reaching 50K in 30 days was accurate. I have, however, surpassed my personal goal of 30,000 words, and that’s with only writing 1000 words in the past six days. The good news? I have a solid start on my novel. Because it’s young adult I’m aiming for …
Melanie Hooyenga
Thankful
–adjective feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative. Where to begin? Yesterday was my first Thanksgiving since 2007 and it really hit home how grateful I am for everyone and everything that’s gotten me to where I am today. I realize that given the fact I’m living in my parents basement and recently divorced, many may raise …
It’s Been Nine Months and I Still Spit in the Shower
I realize that to many of you, this makes zero sense. Let me back up. It goes without saying that you can’t drink the tap water in Mexico. People buy bottled water and use that for drinking and cooking, and only use the tap water for washing, etc. That includes showering. Well I don’t know …
You Held On to Your Hat!
As you can see, my new website is up and running! This site includes my blog AND my design and writing samples. Yes, a couple years ago I decided to separate my writing and design sites, but that proved to be more of an ordeal than it was worth. So until I decide to change …
Post Up at Ermas
Today my a post Can I Tell You a Secret is up at the Army of Ermas blog. Please go check it out!
OhNaNoMyNaNo
It’s that time — the midway NaNo update. I had planned to tell you about my progress a little more often, but here we are on the downslope of November (don’t get me started on that…) and I haven’t told you how it’s going. I knew going into NaNo as a gainfully employed person that …
When to Delete a Friend
This isn’t one of those posts. I have no complaint and no one has slighted me. Quite the opposite in fact. Technology and social media has drastically changed the way we live our lives, most noticeably in how we communicate with people. I’m connected with friends and family on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Skype, blogs and …
The Circle of Life. Or Meat.
*cues theme song to The Lion King* Do you remember the cows? At the time there was a bit of debate as to the fate of the two cows grazing in the field near my house. My mother finally ended the discussion when she announced they were beef cows and wouldn’t be around much longer. …
NaNoWeeeeeeeeeeeeeMo
Last week I had the honor of meeting another online writing friend, Erica. We’ve been friends for a couple years and even though I’ve been in Michigan for over eight months, this was the first time we’ve gotten together. She drove an hour and a half (!!) to join me at a local NaNo write-in. …
Yet Another Example of Truth Being Stranger Than Fiction
Today is my divorce hearing. The past couple months, while stressful, have been relatively smooth (mom, it’s all a matter of perspective) and this date has arrived with little fanfare. My friends and family have been very supportive since we first decided to split up, but I found an ally in one person I didn’t …