A to Z Blog Challenge -- K is for Kelly Boyce

Welcome to Day 11 of this year's A to Z Blog Challenge.
   
My life-is-good moments usually contain a combination of feelings. There is the excitement of reaching a moment in time that I've been dreaming about, running parallel to the feeling of returning to a happiness I've cherished before.

A perfect example of this is The Pinot Grigio Moment, repeated most often with today's challenge feature --
  
  

K is for historical romance author Kelly Boyce

Kelly Boyce and I both joined our writers' group Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada within a few months of each other in 2003.

For many years, we have enjoyed a pinot grigio toast of one kind or another, most traditionally at the yearly writing retreat.

Here's a toast to Kelly with a look back at some of those life-is-good moments. Here's to many future *clinks* together.

Thursday Thirteen - 135 - 13 Things That Kept Me Going During NaNoWriMo

1 - Victory is mine!



2 -



3 - My fellow bloggers who also did NaNo












4 - My fellow Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada sisters who also did NaNo














5 - Gummies














6 - Those pep-talk emails sent out by Chris Baty, the originator of NaNoWriMo. Especially the one where he said:

"Group Two: The Come-Back Kids. You are part of the vast middle. You're still bushwhacking through the 20,000s or making the trek through the 30,000s. It's going to take some work, and you'll probably validate your novel at the very last minute, but victory is still in sight. Update your time zone (under user settings) so the Validator is there when you need it, and keep on trucking.

To the Come-Back-Kids: I am so with you. I somehow fall 10,000 words behind pace every year. I also win every year, and you can too. Easy-peasy. Our path to victory lies in huge word-count days. The sooner you knock out your first 5,000-word day, the happier you and your book will be. Don't wait until the last minute! To help get some momentum, allow yourself to write the juiciest, word-filled climactic scenes still to come in your book, even if it requires some skipping ahead. Start writing as soon as you finish this email.

To everyone: Have a great final lap of NaNoWriMo. Write like the wind! We're almost home.

Warm noveling regards,

Chris
30,001 words"

I can't tell you how much difference this email made for me. I was sitting at 31,004 words and taking a step back, thinking well, I had the flu, I managed 31,000 words, I'll be happy with that and step out of the race.

But I read his email and finished the marathon. Thanks, Chris.

7 - My characters - they want to live!















8 - My lack of migraines. Thanks, Vivian!



















9 - I reminded myself that marathons aren't meant to be easy.


















10 - Being stubborn.










11 - Pinot Grigio which my husband bought for me a few years ago when I completed my very first NaNoWriMo. I saved it until I could write The End on that book - which I did with this year's NaNo.















12 - My Xena - I know you fired me. No time for Pack cuddles this month, except when I was sick. But it seems like you hired me back on for another stretch. Love you.














13 - My husband - thanks, love.


















Jennifer Leeland says Those are some VERY important supports. Especially the Grigio. LOL.

Paige Tyler says Great list! *hugs*

Brenda ND says It's wonderful you finished and that you have such a supportive hubby!

Wordless Wednesday - 128

Apprentice Writer says Hooray! Hooray! I purple-barred also!

Brooke says Congrats on finishing and with time to spare.

Akelamalu says Oh well done!