You'll Be a Song I'll Sing

During Writo de Mayo is when nanoljers decide their writing goal for the month and strive to complete it.  Last year my goal was to write a new short story based on a writing prompt.  Every day.  :)

This year my goal is to finish up the 2nd draft of my 2008 NaNo.  So how did I spend my time this evening?

Procrastinating!  I thought, "You know... you really wanted to apply for The Columbus Literary Awards from the Thurber House and Greater Columbus Arts Council... and the application is due there by Monday..." 

It was something I was thinking of having as a goal for Writo de Mayo but I went with the other one instead.  I found the piece I'd like to submit but it needs a lot of revising.  I submitted it to my then on-line writing group in 2005 and hadn't picked it up since.  It has potential, though.

Seven more stories to go!  *gasps for air before returning to writing* 

I'm still plugging along with my Writo De Mayo challenge. I have 18 out of my 31 short stories written. I'm only 8 behind but I still have time to catch up. There were some ideas I had to write down this weekend - because they weren't writing prompts I set them aside to work on after May 31st.

I have my writing prompt meeting tomorrow night and Wednesday I have my writing group. It sounds funny but we just sit there and write!

A rejection notice arrived in my email today but within an hour I had the story off to another market. Wish me luck!

It's been nearly a week since my last update but I have not fallen off the face of the earth.

Last Saturday I did this. Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day by going to church and having lunch with my in-laws. Later that night my parents came over since my dad was to have surgery at a nearby hospital on Monday morning. My in-laws came over to see my parents and all six of us had dinner at Northstar.

On Monday morning Sammy went berserk when my mom woke up early. Unbeknownst to us, she'd fallen out of the guest bed, scraped her hand, banged up her knee and nearly broke her nose. She said it was the most comfortable bed she'd slept in for years. I was so exhausted from so little sleep I called in to work and slept most of the morning. In the afternoon I did go to the hospital to see my Dad. Monday night my brother and his wife came over to have Chinese food with us and Mom. It was their first visit to our house. Monday night Mom slept on the couch. Dad's surgery went well and he was released on Tuesday. My brother and his wife took my parents home that afternoon.

Wednesday night I was planning on seeing Amy Bloom speak but I was just so tired from having company, I took my laptop to the Grandview library and wrote. Spent the rest of the evening at home.

Last night was busy and a late evening. I don't remember if I mentioned it or not, but someone backed up into my husband's car in the parking garage and tore up part of the grill and headlight. We picked up the car in the morning. The body shop did the repairs, fixed a sideview mirror (we said we'd pay separate for it) and cleaned up some paint scrapes on the side and on the bumper. It looked better than before the accident and it cost less than the estimate. After work I went to the Terry Moore talk at the Wexner Center. About 100 people attended. I had him sign the first issue of Echo. One of the girls/women gave him her Katchoo license plate which had expired two years ago. He was so excited! He's one of the most gracious signers I've ever met. Terry spoke to everyone and signed whatever they wanted. Strangers in Paradise was a comic I connected with because the women were drawn realistically. Francine would go up and down in weight and Terry showed it with some extra fat around the face which is more subtle and realistic than showing her as a size 2 (which Francine could never be) in one issue and then a size 22 in another.

Afterwards we had dinner at one of the best restaurants in town. By best I mean where the chef cares about the food and uses fresh ingredients. I was worried about being in jeans but Jeff was in jeans and so was Terry. There were eight of us total and Vijaya joined us later. It was the last night of the Columbus Symphony (supposedly forever though they're advertising two more shows this month) and Yo-Yo Ma was the guest performer. The restaurant closes at 10pm but we were there until nearly midnight. I ate too much and dessert sent me over the edge into colon spasms which ended up okay but really had me worried there in the restaurant. (I don't think it was the sweetness of the maple syrup creme brulee - I think it was from eating very little during the day and then a lot in three hours.)

Two of the guys at work today were talking about marriage (one is in a wedding this weekend and attending a wedding next weekend). And the one who was saying negative looks over at me and said, "Not you, Amber. Nothing like that applies to you." He went on to say, "You and your husband are really happy together and it shows." We have misunderstandings and miscommunications just like other couples but we know we're in it for the long haul and it's too much of a fun ride to try and get off early.

Due to all this family time I've gotten behind in my goal of writing a short story a day during the month of May. I'm at 6 completed stories, 1 is 3/4s completed and another barely started. Wish me luck! We have company coming from out of town tomorrow. :)

According to the poll, I should be writing a short story each day based on a writing prompt. I gathered about 8 writing prompts on the 1st. Yesterday I began my first short story and am trying to finish it up now. I'll post the prompt and my short story - they will be first drafts so bear that in mind. The first drafts are always the worst. :)

I'll create a special filter so if you want to see the results comment and I'll add you.

Poll #1180303 Writo De Mayo Challenge
This poll is closed.
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 6

I've signed up for a May writing Challenge but I don't know what to do. My writing schedule rests in your hands. Please vote!