Hi everyone! This has turned out to be a super-fantastic week and I can’t wait to fill you in. Just a few more days before the NaNo campaign launches from port and I’ve spent the week shoring up the ship, giving it a new coat of paint and navigating the coming course.
The new schedule is working out very well and I’m finding that I fritter (as Ruth Nestvold says) far less time away. In fact, I put in more than 40 hours between last check-in and now on my “writing business.”
Here’s how my week went:
Writing: I put in about 15 hours on “Ben” which nets me a fully plotted and ready first novella and the start of a second. By the end of Sunday, I’ll be close to done with the second novella and am sure I’ll have all three ready (or very close) by the start of NaNo. Big win here!
Blog: I made some changes to the site, tweaked my About page, added a “find me here” menu over on the sidebar, cleaned up the sidebar (just like a sock drawer I tell you, now where is that other paisley one…), and then…
Updated my Gravatar and blurb across my entire platform. Well, mostly. There is a site to site difference in how links are added so I have to go back and make a few fixes, but it is 95% complete. So, a win.
The official new blurb:
“Gene Lempp is a New Pulp writer blending elements of alternate history, the paranormal, fantasy, science fiction and horror for dark and delicious fun. He unearths stories by digging into history, archeology, myth and fable in his Designing from Bones blog series. “Only the moment is eternal and in a moment, everything will change,” sums the heart of his philosophy. You can find Gene at his Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, WANATribe, Google+, Pinterest and StumbleUpon.”
I’m also on (but don’t list in the blurb): NaNoWriMo – Klout – Triberr (where I couldn’t update because their system is glitchy). These three are either “seasonal” or don’t really bring readers to the blog, so I decided to leave them out.
Throughout the week I was honored to beta read for Marcia A. Richards current WIP, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Amazing what one can learn from beta reading. While I know many of you beta or critique for others, if you don’t or haven’t in awhile, seize the chance to sharpen your skills while helping a friend.
In preparation for NaNo, I am pre-writing about 14 blog posts. Six of those are done and honestly, I have no clue how I’m going to wedge in the other eight. All the same, having at least some of them ready will be a big relief in November.
That is it for this week. Be sure to get out and support your fellow ROWer’s and other writing buddies.
Peaceful Journeys.
Gene Lempp ~ Writer 
Wow, Gene, you were amazing this week!
I like your new pic and new blurb!
14 blog posts ahead of time? Whoa lol I’m dizzy!
You’re sure ready to kick NaNo’s butt!
Have a great week!
Good to hear you had a good week too 🙂 I like the changes you’ve made to your blog and blurb. Good luck with NaNoWriMo!
Your new bio is excellent with all the right elements. Love the new pic! Your schedule is well thought out and you’re accomplishing a ton of work! I’m so happy for you! Proud, too, because you are a great example to follow. I never realized how much fun it would be to have a friend critique my work! 🙂 I learned a lot, as well. Another excellent job, Gene. Life is just humming along for you now and I KNOW you’ll win NaNo again this year. I’m confident your writing during this round will be far better than last year’s, which will put you ahead of the game with your novellas. YAY, you!
I like your new picture. Good luck with NaNo.
I LOVE the sidebar change. I’m totally taking notes! Great update. 🙂
Your updates look amazing. It’s fun to clean out those drawers every once in a while!
Have fun with NaNo. I’m in for the month as well and am itching to get going.
Gene, wow! You did have an amazing week. I can’t wait to see how November goes for all of you who are doing NaNo. It’s so inspiring. I did it one year, but really, 50,000 in a month is just too much for me right now. I will probably write a novella during November, so a goal of 30,000, because otherwise I’ll be driven mad with jealousy as you all produce, produce, produce! Seriously, best of luck building on this momentum. Have a great week!
Hi Gene,
The blog looks great. Good luck for Nano. 🙂 x
Juliana & EM: Thanks!
Marcia: Well, I know I can type faster than I did during NaNo last year, let’s hope that while I was gaining finger speed I also figured out how to put words together properly (grins). It was a total pleasure to read for you and I look forward to doing so again in the future 🙂
John: Thanks!
Jenny: Weird, I take notes on your site too 🙂
Cat: Ugh, not the drawers I just did those a couple weeks ago (yes, socks must be organized properly before beginning NaNo). All the best for NaNo, Cat – will have to find you on there so we can Buddy in Nov.
J.R.: Whether your in NaNo or not, it is always a good idea to challenge yourself to write each month, week, and day. A novella is a great personal challenge and I wish you all the best 🙂
Laura: Hi! Thanks 🙂