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Are you writing a novel?

As many of you may know, NaNoWriMo- or National Novel Writing Month- begins in November, and while I will not be participating this year, I know that many people will be.  The idea of writing an entire novel may seem daunting, so starting this week (to give writing.jpgyou some time to plan and prepare), I will begin a series of blog articles for aspiring novel writers. 

I am currently in the process of querying my first novel, which made the top five of a contest of sorts called inkpop.  While I am not yet a published author, I hope to be one soon, and I am eager to proceed in the publishing process.  Meanwhile, I'll stick with talking about the actual process of writing a novel.  When I say novel, I mean a fiction book, pointedly for young adults, which is my targeted area.  However, most of my advice will work for adult fiction as well.

If you're in the process of or are interested in writing a novel, you may want to keep an eye on my blog.  Two or three times a week, I'll be sharing entries about how to write a novel.  If you have any questions about writing a novel, then don't be afraid to ask them in the comment section below.  I'll be happy to answer them to the best of my ability in a future entry.

Novel-writing is a long and difficult process, but it is ultimately rewarding.  I don't know of a better feeling that I have experienced than when I penned the last word of my entire novel.  As one writer to another, I would like to encourage you as you begin the difficult and exciting journey of writing a complete novel.

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30 Days of Kindness

Tomorrow is the big day.  The 30 Days of Kindness will begin on October 1st.  It's going to work a little something like this: I'll begin the day's blog post with the challenge and the challenge requirements, and later in the day, I'll be posting photos, videos, kindness.jpgor stories of what I did during this challenge.  I'll also be sharing tomorrow's challenge so you can have more time to plan.  The next day, I'll do the same thing. 

If you would like to participate in the 30 Days of Kindness, then please comment below!  If you're a fellow blogger, feel free to post about these challenges on your blog.  Send the link to me and I'll share your blog with my readers.  If you're a YouTuber, send me the links to your videos.  If you're a photographer, I'll share your pictures.  If you love to write, I'll post your stories.

This challenge was originally designed for Christians, so some of the challenges will be faith-based.  However, if you're not a Christian and you would still like to participate in this challenge, feel free to replace those days with a secular alternative.  For example, if the day's challenge is to leave ten encouraging Bible verses in various locations, leave out ten encouraging quotes.  If the challenge is to give away a Bible, give away one of your favorite books instead.  I would love for anyone to participate in this challenge.  Our world needs more kindness.

Share the link to this article on your Facebook or MySpace page.  Feel free to participate with your friends. 

Here is the planned schedule:
October 1: Smile at a stranger
October 2: Say hi to a stranger
October 3: Compliment a stranger
October 4: Give a stranger a hug
October 5: Leave a dollar somewhere for someone to find
October 6: Leave an encouraging note on a mirror
October 7: Donate five dollars to a charity or to someone who needs the money
October 8: Leave an encouraging Bible verse somewhere
October 9: Donate clothes to a shelter or to a needy person
October 10: Hug ten people
October 11: Make a snack for your friends
October 12: Leave an encouraging note for a friend
October 13: Compliment ten people
October 14: Personally encourage a friend
October 15: Take someone out for coffee/ice cream
October 16: Offer to do an odd job for the elderly
October 17: Give food to a homeless person (if you can't find one, leave food for someone who needs it)
October 18: Offer to help out around the house
October 19: Pay for someone's lunch
October 20: Volunteer your time
October 21: Leave an anonymous letter of encouragement on the windshield of a stranger's car
October 22: Leave a Bible somewhere (or give one away)
October 23: Give away a pair of shoes
October 24: Write a letter to someone you admire and give it to them
October 25: Leave ten encouraging notes/quotes/Bible verses
October 26: Write an encouraging note to a service worker
October 27: Pray for someone you know
October 28: Pray for someone you don't know
October 29: Leave five dollar bills in different places (or give them away)
October 30: Buy someone a thoughtful gift
October 31: Your idea

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