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Writer's pictureGrace A. Johnson

Welcome to November!

Updated: Dec 2, 2021


Here we are, y’all. The second to last month of the year. November. Boy, has time flown. Just think—last November, I was blogging about names and the flat-earth theory and the election. I also released an updated version of my Christmas novella, The Gift of Her Heart, and was still working on Bound and Determined. This November? Well, I probably won’t get that much done, but I do have one really big goal for this month…

But before we get into that, allow me to announce the winner of my first ever paperback giveaway of Prisoner at Heart…

Em Seaver!!!

Congratulations, girl! Thank you so much for entering the giveaway! You should see your prize in your mailbox in a couple weeks!

For all of y’all who didn’t win...thank you for entering, subscribing, following me, and sharing about the giveaway! As newsletter subscribers, y’all will have the chance to win many other prizes in the future, so y’all keep an eye on your inbox!

Now, why don’t we get into wrapping up October and setting some goals for November?

 

What I Did Last Month

Surprisingly, I think I did quite well on October’s goals, even if I feel unaccomplished.

  • First and foremost was school. I made a 95 on both finals, if I remember correctly, and so far my third and final class has been a breeze. So we can check that off the list!

  • Secondly? Well, I set some pretty lofty goals for Bound and Determined. Right then, not that lofty, as I was aiming for only 12k—or four chapters. I wrote one chapter and the start of another...not quite what I was hoping for, but November promises lots of progress.

  • Thirdly, I wanted to write and submit a short story to Kads’ writing prompt contest. You’ll find the winning entry here...and you’ll also remember that I never did include the link to the contest in October’s post, which I had intended to do, but alas. Such is the way of life.

  • Lastly, I participated in Erika Mathews’s and R. M. Peterson’s Write for Life blog tour in honor of Respect Life Month and the release of Erika’s latest novel, Sustainer’s Smile, and Ryana’s novel To Save a Life last Friday. I wrote a post thanking y’all for being prolife, a spotlight for Sustainer’s Smile, a spotlight for To Save a Life, AND a review of To Save a Life as well! I also featured Erika Mathews’ in an interview and a guest post on my blog for Christian writers, Book Nations!

 

This Month’s Goals

I literally only have one goal this month. Now, there are things I want to do, no doubt about that. I want to write an article for Book Nations...about...something. I have no idea yet. I want to post once a day this week in honor of National Indie Author Day on Saturday. I want to review at least three books. I want to submit articles to the Dragon Slayer contest. I want to survive school. I want to celebrate Thanksgiving. I want...yeah, a lot. BUT. I’m not going to force myself to do any of these things, because y’all know what my main goal, above all else, is?

  • 21,000 words in Bound and Determined.

Technically, if I could write more like 42k, that would be INSANELY AMAZING. Because then I’d be finished. For the most part. But I am definitely not pushing myself to do that. I’m simply using November—and Write in Faith Camp—as my month of progression. If I can write 21k this month, I can write 21k next month, and I can have BAD finished (for the most part) by the end of this year.

My fingers are crossed, people. And, for that matter, so are my toes.

Because I’m striving for this goal, I am unofficially going on hiatus for the month. Now, I do have a series of blog posts planned for one week, along with a corresponding series of Facebook posts, but that’s all I’m pushing myself to do blog-wise. Otherwise, y’all may not see me liking your blog posts or responding to your emails in a timely manner. I mean, I will get to it...just not immediately.

 

Monthly Progress

I briefly mentioned above that I wrote a chapter and a piece last month...which amounts to a total of 3,500 words. I know, I know. Soooo much, am I right? Not.

But, y’know what? Could’ve been worse! I’ve been on this one-chapter-a-month thing since...April, really. I mean, last November, I wrote five chapters in a month, which is about 20k. Surely, if I could do it then, I can do it now… Really, my issue is that I don’t write every night. I used to write every night, even if only a hundred words or so. But recently? I’ve been doing blog posts, book reviews, chatting with friends instead of actually writing. Like tonight, for instance, I am writing this post instead of writing Bound and Determined…

But it’s worth it. When else would I be able to complain about how little progress I’m making?

Ah, to be honest? I think it’s less about progress and procrastination and more about timing. I’m waiting for the opportune moment to finish this...because I think God has an opportune moment for it to be released.

 

Reading Highlights

  • An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz. Anything by Laura Frantz is absolutely GOLD, and this novel was no different!

  • To Save a Life by R. M. Peterson. This book is so bittersweet and beautiful...so powerful. It’s a must-read for everyone! (You can read my full review here!)

  • Imagine by the Teen Writers Nook family. Well, apart from my short story, this anthology was FABULOUS. I am utterly amazed and overwhelmed by the amount of God-given talent these young writers possess! What a blessing they are!

  • Fairest Son by H. S. J. Williams. Oh my gosh, y’all. There is a reason why I don’t read fantasy. Because I simply love it too much. Especially beautiful, romantic allegorical fantasy that just heaps poetic prose and lovely symbolism on top of amazing characters and an intriguing plot. Yep, that was Fairest Son. Man, what a book.

 

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We had a busy month in October, my hearties, and a right consuming one up ahead! What are y'all's plan for November? Any of y'all participating in NaNo or a writing camp? What's on your TBR for this month? Have you read any of the books I mentioned above? Better question: to pumpkin spice or not to pumpkin spice? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!



Bookishly Yours,

Grace

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15 Comments


Saraina Whitney
Nov 01, 2021

I can't believe November's already here either!! (Haha, like Malana, it's my birthday month too.) Wow, good for you on all those things you got done!! Lol SO true that your progress on Bound And Determined could have been worse... every word really DOES count, and I love your attitude toward the publishing of your book - that God has an opportune moment planned for it. It really is true!! Everything happens in His timeline. 😉


I'm doing the NaNoWriMo challenge (on my own) and today I was pretty thrilled to begin. I couldn't help being skeptical about writing 1,667 words in a day with school on top of that, but I got up to 2,401 words without knowing it,…


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Malana
Nov 03, 2021
Replying to

Thank you! :D

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Kristina Hall
Nov 01, 2021

I know you can get 21K done in BAD this month! I think you'll get even more done!


My plans for November ... get Truth Unshaken published before I pull out my hair 🤣

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Grace A. Johnson
Grace A. Johnson
Nov 02, 2021
Replying to

Aw, thank you! I sure hope so!


Haha, I know you can do it, girl! :)

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Edna Pellen
Nov 01, 2021

Congratulations on a productive month, and best of luck on completing your goal in November!


I'm participating in+running an alternative November challenge, called "NoQu," this month. My goal for that is to get 50k+ words for the second half of my WIP (it's a fantasy epic, so it's rather huge).

And "to pumpkin spice or not to pumpkin spice" - always "to pumpkin spice."

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Grace A. Johnson
Grace A. Johnson
Nov 01, 2021
Replying to

Thank you so much!


Ooh, that sounds fun! Good luck on the 50k! (Ah, Bound and Determined has reached the same ranks...looking at a total of 200k words when finished!)


Ah, I see how it is! ;)

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Vanessa Hall
Nov 01, 2021

Yay for doing so well in your classes! And hey, every single word is progress when writing a book. 😂

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Grace A. Johnson
Grace A. Johnson
Nov 01, 2021
Replying to

Thanks! You're absolutely right! :)

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Malana
Nov 01, 2021

Ah, I love November! (not just because its my birthday month...)

Sounds like you had a very productive October! Best of luck with your writing goals this month! You go girl!

My goals are pretty similar in the sense I want to focus a lot on my writing draft 3. And mayhap a DS post.

I hope you have a good unofficial hiatus!

Oh, and definitely pumpkin spice.

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Grace A. Johnson
Grace A. Johnson
Nov 01, 2021
Replying to

So do I! (Haha, happy early birthday, then!)

Thank you!!!

Ooh, good luck, girl! I know you can do it!

Thank you! And enjoy the spice, my friend!

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