I’m not sure if I have a novel in me, right now, and have decide that’s absolutely okay. I love writing short stories. I think I’m going to focus on that for a bit, and if a novel starts rolling around in my brain, banging on my skull to be let out, cool. I’ll do that. No point forcing it. No need to.

I have tried Scrivener twice — no, three times — and hated it. Seems writers fall into three groups, there: Haven’t tried it; Totally gung ho about it; Hate it with a purple passion. I want to like it, in theory. In practice, the purple composition books Rasheed gave me plus Microsoft Word. That’s it. Maybe some index cards and an old-fashioned cork board, or a bunch of colorful post-it notes.

I gave up on NaNoWriMo last year for a number of reasons, none of which exist this year. :) Yay, retirement! Anyway, I do it every year — regardless of how serious I am about writing a NOVEL, because it’s energizing and says, “I’m focusing on my writing for a bit, world!” It’s like “Me time!” Just do it for the fun of it. Don’t get caught up in “winning” or “losing” or even sticking with it if life gets the better of you in November. There’s nothing (really) magical about November. If you get an URGE in July, GO FOR IT. Don’t wait. If you’re not feeling it in November, there’s always 11 other months.

I have issues, sometimes, with challenges. I feel almost guilty — even if no one but me cares. I have to stop that cycle. But then, I’m going to save this one to respond to Rasheed Hooda’s latest challenge to write about…writing challenges. (Oh, God, not another meta-thingy!!)