December News: Bring On the Christmas Cheer!

It’s been an incredibly challenging year. I can’t wait to say goodbye to 2020. Like most Covid-weary people, I put up my Christmas decorations in mid-November – a first for me. I had to do it. I’ve felt isolated and lonely during this pandemic nightmare, and I desperately needed some festive cheer. The shiny ornaments and sparkly holiday lights helped cheer me up. So did listening to Christmas music while I typed away on my writing projects for NaNoWriMo. Yes projects. My muse refused to be satisfied with just one story. Yep, I’m a NaNo Rebel and proud of it. I worked on not one but two of my historical romances plus a super secret YA witchy story that I’m very excited about, winning NaNo a bit early with a total of 50,073 words.

One of the things I’ve learned from NaNo is that I’m more productive when I have a daily writing goal. With that in mind, I’ll be creating some smaller, more achievable monthly goals for myself in 2021. I’ve already chosen a word for next year – more on that next month – and I’m thinking ahead to Camp NaNoWriMo and all of the things I want/should accomplish for the first half of the year. I know I can do it if I stay focused on my goals and my writing process.

BOOKS TO BINGE
I couldn’t squeeze in much reading time last month. I managed to read a couple of good books, but for the most part my lofty reading plans took a backseat to writing. I want to catch up on my NEXT UP book stack this month and read a few Christmas romances too. Wish me luck!

SHOWS TO BINGE
I’m obsessed with the British royal family. It’s in my DNA – I’m 51% British! So I was thrilled when The Crown S4 hit Netflix on Nov 15th. This series is utterly addictive. I’ve always been a big fan of Gillian Anderson. She was brilliant as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. But my favorite performance was from Emma Corrin, who perfectly captured the spirit and vulnerability of Lady Diana Spencer. Deep bows to the entire cast for being totally irresistible. I devoured the ten episodes like buttered popcorn. Now I’m already salivating for the final two seasons, not due until 2022.