Accentuate Writers: Yay!, NaNoWriMo: Fail. November 11, 2008

The semi-finalists of the last Accentuate Writers Anthology Contest of the year were announced today. I, as I expected, was not one of them. Admittedly, I am a hideous short story writer, so I wasn’t expecting any recognition at all.

Congratulations are in order for one of my favorite writing moms. Lindsay M. was selected as one of the semi-finalists. I remember her posts on the Accentuate Writers Forum remarking on how drained she was during the writing process. Congrats, Lindsay, you earned it! I encourage everyone to check out her blog Silly Mom Thoughts.

Also on a writing note, I think I’m going to abandon my NaNoWriMo novel for 2008. I’m really disappointed, I was looking forward to it so much this year. My story just isn’t capturing my imagination like 2007’s novel. I’m struggling to find time wth a 3 month old at home and I really need to focus all my energy on paid writing gigs. Someone at Accentuate recently observed that we can’t always do our best, we must simply do what we can. So NaNoWriMo will just have to take a back seat for now while I do what I can for my family.

Who is Michelle L. Devon? October 30, 2008

In writing for Associated Content I discovered a truly gifted writer. Michelle L. Devon, or Michy as she’s known in the community, is not only a wildly successful freelance writer, she’s a novelist, editor, blogger, mother, cheerleader, and all around great gal.

She runs the Accentuate Writers Forum where she helps both experienced and fledgling writers find their voices. She uses the forum ,to create writing challenges and contests for forum participants. In the few months I’ve been lurking at Accentuate I’ve learned so much. I’ve had the chance to see what other freelance writers are doing to get their work noticed and it’s motivated me to get my butt in gear.

Today she posted a blog about some of us who took her up on one of her challenges. She said some really nice things about me and the others. It’s worth checking out. You’ll see just how generous she is with all the sweet things she has to say about us.