Norm Boyington

I read a text today about a woman who wished she had a cuddle buddy. Of course all the reply guys reached out with only one thing in mind. I get it though. When you live by yourself you become touch starved. The desire to be held is not sexual. It's about feeling safe in another's arms.

I spent part of the evening writing and reworking the opening four paragraphs of my latest chapter. I ditched almost half of what I'd written and moved the other half around before continuing the story. All in all, I ended up with approximately 700 words.

The hockey game starts in an hour and a half. I think I'll work on my novel while I wait for it to begin. I've come to like writing at this time of night.

Honestly, if I cared what he said, I'd on be on his platform and not here.

The closest thing I have to a tree is the balsam candle I have burning in the apartment. The place smells delicious and very much like Banff.

The ground is white, and sandal season is over!

Okay, so I'm finally up and having my coffee. After a long night dreaming about snakes I feel I deserve it.

Spent the day with my daughter. We made a rabbit paella which looked better than it tasted. I forgot how tough rabbit can be. We had fun though.

The second year without a tree. I've added to my curious crew with an Elf ornament and an unseen balsam candle burning in the background. It's how I celebrate now.

I was thinking the earlier I go, the better it will be.

I'm heading out to the mall in about an hour. For as much as I like Christmas shopping, I'm not really thrilled with crowds. Wish me luck! I'm going to need it...

Going to take a nap before writing today. I just got back from a long walk where I met a nice gentleman looking for owls. I also met a mongrel of a dog with the sweetest disposition. It's been a good day so far.

I'm putting out feelers to have my daughter accompany me on a Christmas shopping venture for the grandkids. I could do it by myself of course, but I like to have her along if I decide to buy clothes. Books, are what I do best, that and music. I might buy my oldest granddaughter an album this year.

This ball of fluff stole my seat while I was making my coffee.

I've been struggling with a character's name in my latest novel. For months, I've been calling her the Mistress, but one can only go by that for so long. I've finally chosen a suitable name for her, but sadly I can't tell you yet. Thanks for listening, though.

Good morning everyone! Since my brain decided sleep isn't an option, I've been up since three in the morning. I've already had my coffee, a bowl of cereal, and a crumpet with jam. So, here I am waiting for all of you to get up.

I guarantee you that if I were to read your work I would at the very least ask you to rewrite certain parts. I would even go as far as to move paragraphs around for better flow.

No, not necessarily. If you read my stories you'll hear me in almost everything I write. Having a person rewrite, let's say, something you've written in passive voice to something a little more actionable is okay.

No, not really. As long as they don't interfere with the author's voice I'm good.

Have a cookie.

You might have to mentally shackle yourself to the desk or set some goals on the amount you need to write before doing something else.

A good beta reader won't be afraid to tell you when your prose is out of beat, or something doesn't fit. They're there to move your story forward.

I like this idea.

So, where some in the world are tending their turkeys, I'm doing much the same with my laundry.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating!

The only thing wrong with the stir fry I made tonight is that I had no one to share it with.

I sat down for and hour and a half and added another 1000ish words to the WIP. So far the dialogue hasn't been a problem, so yay!

All I'm saying is it's cloudy and cold, and I don't want to go outside.

I have paused my writing momentarily to announce that I've cracked the 50,000-word mark. I know people do this all the time, but each and every time I do, I can't help but think of the first time I accomplished this. Now... Back to writing.