It we were having coffee, well firstly, let me apologise for my absence. As you have probably realised, I’m not great at maintaining a regular blogging schedule so my attendance at the Weekend Coffee Shares has been somewhat spotty over the last few months. *Ahem* Let me change that to non-existent. I’ve decided to stop saying ‘but I’m back and this time it’s going to be different, I’m going to post on a schedule, build up a reserve of posts to use on the days where I don’t want to write.’ I’ve said it before and it’s never worked so instead I’m going to say this.
I’ve been relatively good this week. Let’s wait until Monday to see about next week.
Apart from my lacking of blogging I’ve had a productive start to 2017. Yesterday I got an email confirming that I’d passed my Accountant Technicians Diploma with distinction, Shadow Dawn is at 61,943 words and growing, and I’ve got some plans lined up for April that I’m feeling pretty excited about. What plans you ask? Well let me tell you.
As some of you will already know, April is host to two massive writing events. NaPoWriMo [National Poetry Writing Month] and Camp NaNoWriMo [Sister to NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month in November]. This year I’m going to do both.
Yes that’s right. I’m insane enough to think I can write 30 poems in 30 days and do Camp NaNoWriMo.
As the plan stands at the moment, I’m hoping to finish the current draft of Shadow Dawn by the end of March so that I can switch my focus from that story to Solitary Creatures instead. The target is 40,000 words for April, spread over three or four separate stories that all take place around Edwin and Sammy. Doing NaPoWriMo at the same time means that I should also have a daily post for all of April without having to use my Solitary Creatures stuff. That will go up in May instead.
See! Planning. It will all go horribly wrong but the effort is there.
On the plus side, unlike NaNoWriMo, I have completed NaPoWriMo before. You can find all my poems from April 2016 right here on Writing and Works in the drop down beneath poetry. Or you can just click… here. The NaPoWriMo site provides a new prompt everyday and they’re a sign up page where you can find all the participating sites.
It’s a really fun project and a really fun month. If you like poetry then I would highly recommend it.
On another note, I’ve started to notice that when I go back through older posts on this site, (and my older I mean three-six months old), I’m finding bits of flash fiction I’d forgotten I’d wrote. I’m trying to work out a way of bringing some of the older stuff back up to the tip without having to re-blog it constantly. However, I think that might be a conundrum for another day.
On a more exciting turn of events, during the time while I was away from my blog, Writing and Works hit a couple of milestones. We hit 50,000 total views and 20,000 total visitors. I know it doesn’t sound like much compared to the bigger blogs, but it made me happy to see those numbers on my insights screen.
Anywho, enough about me. Let me know how your weeks, years have been going so far. Any plans for April or beyond? Let me know in the comments below. I always love hearing from the people reading my blog, which reminds me! Before I go. About June time I’m thinking about starting up another round of Guest Posts, these ones focusing on writing prompts and creative inspiration. If you think this might be something you’re interested in then give me a shout!
Hope you all enjoyed my little ramble, thanks for reading.
Carol J Forrester 
Love your post. I, too, am writing a novel. I wasn’t aware of the April writing event so thanks for talking about it! I also wasn’t aware of your blog and will start reading. Nice to meet you!
I’m glad I could spread Campnanowrimo to someone new. There are three nanowrimo novelling events in the year and they’re great for finding like minded people and motivating writers.
“See! Planning. It will all go horribly wrong but the effort is there.”
I. LOVE. THIS. LOL I just posted about the same.. I set up a blog schedule and it lasted about a month. Congratulations on obtaining your diploma and best of luck with the writing ventures! I did NaBloPoMo in November and it kicked my butt. Looking forward to reading your work! Have a great week.. 🙂
Thanks Kathleen. I’m equally as useless with blog schedules, but I am trying to do more writing prompts so that sort of sticks me to a half-schedule.
Sounds like you have a very busy year ahead of you. I myself have done NaNoWriMo, but never NaPoWriMo. Although I typically write about 3 poems every day, so I suppose it would be an easy task. 😉 I always love challenges like these. They keep everyone motivated and the writing prompts are so very helpful. Hope you have a lovely weekend! 🙂
They’re really good at motivating people, though it sounds like your poetry doesn’t need it. :p
And yet finding a new prompt, is like discovering a an extra piece of candy in my pocket. I can never get enough! 😋
Good luck with all your writing plans. You never know, the fates might work with you so that you accomplish exactly what you aim for! It could happen. 🙂 I have been “coffee sharing” for sometime but also took a break recently. I am not sure I’ve come across your blog befor. Very happy to have made your acquaintance!
Happy to make yours as well and thank you for commenting. Let’s hope the fates do work in my favour.
Effort is being made, plans are being made… so, let us assume you’ll be able to accomplish all you’ve set out to do! Good luck!
Thank you, I won’t assume but I’ll hope. 🙂
It sounds like you are well on your way to meeting your goals. Good luck with both WriMo events!
Thank yous!
Good like with all the writing challenges! It’s a great idea to have reserve posts. That’s how I deal with my writer’s block! Congrats on crossing 50k views and 20k visitors! Next year, maybe you should consider participating in the blogging from A to Z challenge, hosted throughout the month of April. 😊
Glad that I discovered your blog today. ☺
I keep seeing the A-Z blogging challenge but never thought to join it. I suppose I could do it alongside the other two… would that be too much?
Ohhh wow three challenges! Go for it if you think you can pull it off!!! 😃
Good luck! I’ll be joining NaPoWriMo in April as well, so I look forward to comparing our poetry 😀