Writing By Laura

Since this brain injury month (March) and my monthly writing update fall within this crazy global viral pandemic, I thought it only appropriate that I use this update to hunker down on finishing my memoir. Or at least talk about how I’m going to hunker down and finish my memoir!

Those who have been following this blog know that during Summer 2019 (July) I participated in Camp NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month is an online effort to encourage writers to start and complete 50,000 words of a novel/creative writing in 1 month) in an attempt to start and complete my brain injury memoir in one month. I didn’t complete it but I did write a sizable chunk. Now I am planning on participating in the NaNoWriMo pandemic writing initiative they are calling #StayHomeWriMo to try and complete my memoir.

Because when you’re stuck in your house for days on end and you’re an aspiring published author what else do you have to do? I discuss my #StayHomeWriMo intentions in this writing update.

I was planning on participating in the April Camp NaNoWriMo, however, they just announced they are shifting it to #StayHomeWriMo to answer the call of writers who are social distancing and climbing the wall (that rhymed, I realize). Note: I was video chatting with my 15-year-old niece and mentioned it was an added challenge being cooped up with your parents for days on end. She sighed and said “SAME!” I replied it’s a little different when you’re an adult! (This exchange still makes me smile when I think of it days later). 😂😍

So what is #StayHomeWriMo? Here’s a link to the official NaNoWriMo blog announcing this new online event. Here’s a graphic from NaNoWriMo to answer that question too.

Basically, the idea is to encourage people to write but also practice safe habits. We may all be cooped up social distancing but that doesn’t mean we need to forget healthy habits (i.e. limit time on computers and mobile devices). Every day NaNoWriMo will be sending out a writing prompt along with a “social wellbeing” and a “physical wellbeing tip.

My Goals For #StayHomeWriMo

• Finish writing memoir
• Begin editing
• Be disciplined in writing daily but also give myself breaks
• By finishing my memoir I hope to close this portion of my brain injury story and free up my time and creativity to pursue other writing ideas

Well, I haven’t exactly adhered to limiting screen time today, so I am going to cut this blog short.

I hope everyone reading this is staying safe, healthy and isolated/inside.