"Put the pen down, stand up slowly, and no one gets hurt."

I'm taking a break from NaNo prep for a few days - I've got to give myself some time to unwind.

Having moved my one-woman party over to G+, I have found myriad creative writing blogs and "how-to" articles in preparation for November, and so it began ... but I started prepping a bit too early this year and found myself frustrated that I couldn't just grab a notebook and start writing already.

I tried working on some short stories, but let's face it - when you've got unwritten characters meandering around in your head, there's not much room for anything else.

For that reason, I was happy that my midterms took place last week - that should explain my disappearance.  Sort of.  Adding to the disappearance was a lengthy argument/debate on Facebook with a stranger regarding the current state of affairs in the United States, a 1.5-hour North Korean documentary I felt powerless to turn off last night, an argument with my husband over our differing methods on parenting, and some holes in the yard from our Golden Retriever that needed tending.  

Add in a few bike rides, a few lost (then found) pairs of sunglasses (my 2.5-year-old son's prized possessions this month), and some pictures I needed to take for my photography midterm, and you've got my weekend in a nutshell.

On another note, I purchased an AlphaSmart Neo this morning from Amazon.  Used.  It doesn't appear they can be purchased new anymore, which is unfortunate when it comes to buying things with a sort of sentimental value.  Am I buying someone's Neo who absolutely positively gave up on a writing career?  Did the last owner jump off a bridge between chapters 4 and 7, leaving behind his unfinished masterpiece and instructions on taking care of his cat?

I may never know.

For that reason, however, I promise you this:  To the previous owner of this Neo I ordered via Amazon, if you happen to be reading this, I won't let you down.  I guess you didn't have too much luck with it, or maybe the whole "typing sans internet" thing just threw you for a loop.  Maybe you were ecstatic when you packed it up in its original container and the mailman came to pick it up, and as the truck drove away, you hollered, "Good riddance!" and finished your novel on your new desktop computer from Sam's Club.  I'm not sure.

But I just want you to know that I'm going to finish this year.  You'll be proud of your old Neo.  I might take it to places it's never seen.  (Has it ever even been to Florida before?)

I think the added pressure might do me good.

What about you, blog reader?  Any new tips or tricks in your arsenal this year?  And how was your weekend, because I forgot to ask.   ;-)

Cherstin, out.