November is National Novel Writing Month, better known as NaNoWriMo in writerly circles.  You can officially sign a commitment online to churn out a 50,000 word novel or you can modify the plan, like I have, and use the framework to challenge yourself unofficially.  Theoretically it is designed to help writers begin a new work from scratch, but I am using it to rewrite a Middle Grade novel.

As if this isn’t excitement enough, I have another challenge going on right outside my office window, and I can’t resist a little metaphorical fun.

This is my construction zone,

and here is my design plan (plot chart) for my  WIP (Work in Progress).

Outside my window,

Steve Neal and Clay Gilbert with  Noah Warren Home Improvements have turned our backyard into a construction zone.

Here is the design plan (architectural rendering) for this WIP, our new deck and screened porch.

Some of the tools of my trade are my computer, dictionary, thesaurus, sticky notes, hole punch, highlighter and stapler,

while Steve and Clay use their hammer, nail gun, saws, tool belts, leveler, and ladder.

Sometimes in the building business, you leave a pile of debris

and sometimes, you need to try a new angle to get all the pieces to fit together.

But last week, I added (almost) 10,000 words to my project

And Steve and Clay added over 1,000 square feet of plywood to theirs.

Whether you build with words or lumber, I wish you much success in achieving  your goal this week!  And fellow NaNoWriMo writers, I’d love to hear how your construction site is coming along.