National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo started yesterday. You might have heard of it, but for those who haven't it is where you agree to try and write a 50K word novel during the 30 days of November. This will be my first time participating in 3 years and I am writing a middle grade novel about a young orphan girl who goes to live with her single aunt in a fictional New England town. The aunt is always miserable, and Amelia makes it her mission to figure out why she is so unhappy and fix it, while trying to convince her best friend Ralph to let her teach him to read. Amelia might also discover that there is more to her relationship with Ralph than just friendship.

Anyone else tackling NaNoWriMo this year?

Aw, that sounds like a neat plot Cheryl!

Hey, is your book coming out soon? Before Christmas, right?

Wow Cheryl.... sure does make me want to read your book!

I haven't heard of National Novel Writing Month. but I do love to write...is it something I can look up on google?

Here you go, Kristina:

National Novel Writing Month

thanks Rob!

Wish I could help you with the photos or drawings Cheryl. There is so much involved in the process huh?

Let us read you story of Amelia when you finish...sounds awesome.

Thanks everyone. I'm hoping I'll get at least close to a first draft so that I can edit it at the beginning of 2010 and submit it. I already have a publisher in mind.

Gin, the problem is that publishers have a staff of illustrators they work with and don't seem too keen having outside people handle them. I would love for us to work on something at some point. We'll have to think on it and see what happens.

It sounds like you are going to have a very busy month, Cheryl! Your book sounds like it'll be interesting and fun to read. I wish you the best of luck!

Good luck with your book, Cheryl; it sounds interesting.

Thanks ladies. Your support and encouragement mean a lot. No, Susie, I won't be self-publishing. I have a small press in mind. If she doesn't take it, I might see if the publisher who has contracted my first book will look at it, but it might not work into their line. If neither of these ladies picks it up, then I'll have to plot out my next step.