Tuesday Tidbits: SELAH AWARDS & NaNoWriMo RESULTS

I hope you had a good Thanksgiving. Though I wasn’t able to get together with family, I had lots of good turkey with potatoes and gravy. As long as I have those three things on my plate, I need no other food. =0D

I am tickled pink about the Selah Awards! I watched them on November 18th via a live stream on YouTube and both my entries placed! I am honored to have been awarded 1st place in the novella category for "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads!

I was also honored with a tie for 2nd place in the Western category for The Daughter's Predicament, Quilting Circle 2!

There were a lot of great authors, so to have my stories chosen over theirs is amazing and humbling. I could not do any of the writing I do without the Lord. I feel truly blessed.

Then Yesterday, I reached my NaNoWriMo goal of 50,000 words during the month of November with 50,172 words. YAY!!!!

 

It still seems unbelievable that I wrote 50k in one month. I have done it many times before, but I have been struggling with writing very much at a time for a several years. Many times during November I wanted to quit, having only reached 25,000 (half of the words) two-thirds of the way through the month, I felt my NaNo goal was out of reach with only nine days left. I had done a lot of research the first half of the month to have things to write. That slowed down my writing a lot.

I kept thinking how nice it would be to have beginning-to-end all down of a very rough draft of this at-some-point-in-the-future-80k novel. So I kept going to see if I could get to 30k (because that would be better than 25k) and then 40k and then I pushed to the finish line. I did stay up late every night for about a week to reach minimum words counts to have a shot at 50k. The Lord provided the words.

From the time my agent emailed me to ask if I had any WWII novel ideas (which I didn’t) to this very rough draft, it has been a little less than 12 weeks! It was fun to stay with an idea and write the novel without too much time in between the idea, the synopsis, and the first draft. I did take a break between writing the synopsis and writing the novel. In October, I needed to finish writing and editing a novel that was due to my publisher November 1st, Quilting Circle 4. I turned it in and jumped into the WWII story. It is far from complete, but I have the bones and large chunks of it fleshed out, mostly at the beginning and end. It was nice to write 50k in one month once again.

Blessings to you all!

 

THIMBLES AND THREADS: 4 Love Stories Are Quilted Into Broken Lives

Love Stitched into Four Women’s Lives
Enjoy four historical romances that celebrate the arts of sewing and quilting. When four women put needle and thread to fabric, will their talents lead to love? #thimblesandthreadscollection
Click HERE to order yours today.
FREE Preview
#thimblesandthreadscollection
“Bygones” by Mary Davis (1st Place 2020 Selah Awards winner)
Texas, 1884
Drawn to the new orphan boy in town, Tilly Rockford soon became the unfortunate victim of a lot of Orion Dunbar’s mischievous deeds in school. Can Tilly figure out how to truly forgive the one who made her childhood unbearable? Now she doesn’t even know she holds his heart. Can this deviant orphan-train boy turned man make up for the misdeeds of his youth and win Tilly’s heart before another man steals her away?

Other stories in this collection:
“The Bridal Shop” by Grace Hitchcock, “Mending Sarah’s Heart” by Suzanne Norquist, and “Binding Up Wounds” by Liz Tolsma

Book 2 THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT (2nd Place 2020 Selah Awards winner)

Listen to it on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Daughters-Predicament-Audiobook/B08GD3DNRH?qid=1602517870&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=7G3NJC7HWP4YHK00FZGJ

FREE Preview of eBook: http://a.co/4UXlRN5

Can a patient love win her heart? Or will a forced marriage be the end of her romantic dreams? Get it here for FREE on Kindle Unlimited or Kindle to buy for $3.99 or paperback for $12.99: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NQZVNWY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_WcM.DbRBRKVQ9

#TheDaughtersPredicament

 

#ChristianRomance #HistoricalRomance #Romance

MARY DAVIS is a bestselling, award-winning novelist of over two dozen titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3). The Quilting Circle Book 4, The Dèbutante's Secret, will release August of 2021. Her 2018 titles include; "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, Courting Her Amish Heart, The Widow’s Plight, Courting Her Secret Heart , “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection , and Courting Her Prodigal Heart . 2019 titles include The Daughter's Predicament and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of over thirty-six years and one cat. She has three adult children and three incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:

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Tuesday Tidbits: NaNoWriMo

 
Have you hear of it? It’s an acronym for National Novel Writing Month. It’s a crazy month of writing as fast as you can to reach 50,000 words on a novel. This is meant to be a rough draft. It’s all about quantity, NOT quality. It’s about turning off your internal editor and just get words on the “page.” If I have no words on the page, I can’t fix them. The only way to fix a blank page is to throw some words at it. It might not be pretty, but at least I have something there to work with.

I am participating in NaNoWriMo again this year. Even years I’m sure I don’t have time to write the full 50k, I still announce my project on the site and track my words there. If I shoot low, I achieve low. But when I shoot high (50k), I might not reach it, but I get a whole lot more than when I shoot low. For me, these kinds of goal setting where I tell other how many words I want to write, helps me a lot to get words written.

This year, I’m working on a WWII novel. Though I don’t have a contract, I have this idea I’d like to explore. I’m hoping to get a large chunk of my rough draft written. It’s about a female pilot who flies into danger to rescue soldiers held hostage.

So far, I’m behind of where I need to be. I’ve had a lot of other things I’ve been juggling. I haven’t given up and hope to start adding many more words. Even if I don’t reach the 50k, I know I’ll get more words than if join in. I’m at 7,161 words so far this month. I should be at 15,003 words, but I have had to do quite a bit of research as this book is in an entirely new setting for me.

“But Mary, didn’t you say to write as fast as you can?”

“I did, but I need the research to know what actions my characters take. I need to know which WWII aircraft they are flying to know how much room is inside, how many people can fit in it, and other such details.”

I hope to catch up the second half of the month.

If you are an author, have you ever attempted NaNoWriMo? Did it help you write more than you would have without it?

I will be participating in a FB party with 3 other authors on Sunday, November 15th if you would like to join us. Here is the group link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1770933813056488

The party starts at 2:30 PST, 3:30 MST, 4:30 CST, and 5:30 EST.

THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3) #TheDamselsIntent #HistoricalRomance #FreeKU #KU #ChristianRomance
Can Nicole learn to be enough of a lady to snag the handsome rancher?
   Nicole Waterby heads down the mountain to fetch herself a husband, not realizing women don’t wear trousers or carry a gun. She has a lot to learn. Rancher Shane Keegan has drifted from one location to another to find a place to belong. When Nicole crosses his path, he wonders if he can have love, but he soon realizes she’s destined for someone better than a saddle tramp. Will love stand a chance while both Nicole and Shane try to be people they’re not?

Free on Kindle Unlimited, or $2.99 to buy ebook.

Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/Damsels-Intent-Quilting-Circle-Book-ebook/dp/B089DTXDCN/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=The+Damsel%27s+Intent&qid=1590863747&s=books&sr=1-2

Book 1 THE WIDOW’S PLIGHT ~NOW AVAILABLE IN AUDIO!

A single mother steps out of the shadows of abuse and into the sunshine. But will a secret clouding Lily’s past cost her the man she loves? #TheWidowsPlight
Listen to it on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Widows-Plight-Audiobook/B088HJLH4J?qid=1592671960&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=KDZ2GD836E7CMPGYX21F
FREE Preview of eBook: http://a.co/1riJfrA

FREE Preview of the audio book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaUG-sN6Y_k 
A single mother steps out of the shadows of abuse and into the sunshine. But will a secret clouding her past cost her the man she loves? Get it here for FREE on Kindle Unlimited or Kindle to buy for $4.99 or paperback for $12.99: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CV4XDLH/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_XaM.DbMKBGBG1

#TheWidowsPlight

Book 2 THE DAUGHTER’S PREDICAMENT

Listen to it on Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Daughters-Predicament-Audiobook/B08GD3DNRH?qid=1602517870&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=7G3NJC7HWP4YHK00FZGJ

FREE Preview of eBook: http://a.co/4UXlRN5

Can a patient love win her heart? Or will a forced marriage be the end of her romantic dreams? Get it here for FREE on Kindle Unlimited or Kindle to buy for $3.99 or paperback for $12.99: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NQZVNWY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_WcM.DbRBRKVQ9

#TheDaughtersPredicament

#ChristianRomance #HistoricalRomance #Romance

MARY DAVIS is a bestselling, award-winning novelist of over two dozen titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her latest release is THE DAMSEL’S INTENT (The Quilting Circle Book 3). The Quilting Circle Book 4, The Dèbutante's Secret, will release August of 2021. Her 2018 titles include; "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, Courting Her Amish Heart, The Widow’s Plight, Courting Her Secret Heart , “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection , and Courting Her Prodigal Heart . 2019 titles include The Daughter's Predicament and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads. She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of over thirty-six years and one cat. She has three adult children and two incredibly adorable grandchildren with a third on the way. Find her online at:

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Tuesday Tidbits: GOING TO CAMP! SORTA?

It’s that time of year when people go to camp and/or go camping.

I’m excited to say that I’m going to camp this summer in July! I never had the opportunity to go to camp as a child, except for that one time in sixth grade when the whole sixth grade went for a few day as part of the curriculum. I did go camping with my family a lot when I was young and backpacking with my dad. I’ve also gone on church and writing retreats, which are a little like going to camp.

But the camp I’m going to this summer is different from all of those. It’s Camp NaNoWriMo!

It’s a virtual camp that I’ll be attending to make progress on my current writing project, The Damsel’s Intent, book 3 in my Quilting Circle series. Each November, hundreds of thousands of writers participate in NaNoWriMo (NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth) by aiming to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Seems daunting, but is achievable. I have won several times. It’s a great feeling.

“Wait a minute, Mary. You said you were doing this in July. July isn’t November. Not even any of the same letters in the two words.”

Throughout the year—when it’s not November—NaNoWriMo isn’t sleeping or off on vacation. They put on events a lot of months of the year if not all months, from revision months to script writing months to camp months. April and July are designated Camp NaNoWriMo months.

Camp is super loosey-goosey. A participant can set whatever goal they want, big or small. Not just fiction and words goals, but page or hour goals, nonfiction, revision, poetry, script writing, etc.

And there are cabins. A participant can create a private cabin and invite their friends, or choose to join a public cabin and make new friends. I created a private one called the Plucky Purple Pixies. So far we are just three. I’ve set a 10,000 word goal, another has set a page goal, and another an hour goal. We can leave messages and encouragement on our cabin message board.

I find that if I tell someone my goal and need to check in and record my progress, I’m much more likely to achieve that goal or at least write more than if no one would know if I made any progress or not. I find it easy for me to get discouraged at not having writing as much as I had hoped to and give up for the day. But if I know I need to tell someone I wrote zero words for the past week, I’m more likely to write a handful of words, just so I don’t have zeros. And other times, the words flow and I don’t need any outside encouragement or prodding.

The great thing about this camp is there are no mosquitoes, no bears or skunks wandering into our cabin, no being woken at 3 AM because a fellow cabin mate screamed having a bad dream, no shaving cream put in your hand when you’re asleep and having your nose tickled so you splat the shaving cream all-over your face, and no calories in the virtual s’mores! And I get to sleep in my own comfy bed. The only critter wandering in there will be my cats.

NaNoWriMo and Camp NaNoWriMo are free to join and free to participate in. This kind of thing isn’t for everyone, but for those who like a little bit of structure, NaNoWriMo might be helpful or just fun. Camp NaNoWriMo is a great introduction to the NaNoWriMo process.

So I’ll be at camp next month and having fun. As July progresses, I’ll try to remember to leave Camp updates at the end of my posts for those who are interested.

NEW!

THIMBLES AND THREADS: 4 Love Stories Are Quilted Into Broken Lives

Love Stitched into Four Women’s Lives

Enjoy four historical romances that celebrate the arts of sewing and quilting. When four women put needle and thread to fabric, will their talents lead to love? #thimblesandthreadscollection

Click HERE to order yours today.

FREE Preview

#thimblesandthreadscollection

“Bygones” by Mary Davis

Texas, 1884

Drawn to the new orphan boy in town, Tilly Rockford soon became the unfortunate victim of a lot of Orion Dunbar’s mischievous deeds in school. Can Tilly figure out how to truly forgive the one who made her childhood unbearable? Now she doesn’t even know she holds his heart. Can this deviant orphan-train boy turned man make up for the misdeeds of his youth and win Tilly’s heart before another man steals her away?

Other stories in this collection:

“The Bridal Shop” by Grace Hitchcock, “Mending Sarah’s Heart” by Suzanne Norquist, and “Binding Up Wounds” by Liz Tolsma

THE DAUGHTER'S PREDICAMENT (Book 2 in the Quilting Circle series)
FREE Preview

Can a patient love win her heart?

   As Isabelle Atwood’s romance prospects are turning in her favor, a family scandal derails her dreams. While making a quilt for her own hope chest, Isabelle’s half-sister becomes pregnant out of wedlock and Isabelle--always the unfavored daughter--becomes the family sacrifice to save face. Despite gaining the attention of a handsome rancher, her parents are pressuring her to marry a man of their choosing to rescue her sister’s reputation. A third suitor waits silently in the wings, hoping for his own chance at love. Isabelle ends up with three marriage proposals, but this only further confuses her decision.
   A handsome rancher, a stranger, and an unseen suitor are all waiting for an answer.  Isabelle loves her sister, but will she really allow herself to be manipulated into a marriage without love? Will Isabelle capitulate and marry the man her parents wish her to, or will she rebel and marry the man they don’t approve of? Or will the man leaving her secret love poems sweep her off her feet?

HEARTBEATS IN TIME

5 books of Old West Christian Romance (4 novels and 4 novellas) by 7 bestselling, award-winning authors, including my book, The Widow’s Plight. You'll love these 8 unique stories of love! Get it here: https://amzn.to/2VzRBoI

#HeartbeatsInTimeSet

FREE Preview
The Widow’s Plight (Book 1 in the Quilting Circle series) by Mary Davis
A single mother steps out of the shadows of abuse and into the sunshine. But will a secret clouding her past cost her the man she loves?
Finding Love In Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell
Dreams of My Heart by Barbara Scott
Hills of Nevermore by Janalyn Voigt
Heart of a Cowboy Novella Collection--four Old West romances by Susan Page Davis, Miralee Ferrell, Yvonne Lehman, and Vickie McDonough

#ChristianRomance #HistoricalRomance #Romance

MARY DAVIS s a bestselling, award-winning novelist of over two dozen titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her 2018 titles include; "Holly and Ivy" in A Bouquet of Brides Collection (January), Courting Her Amish Heart (March), The Widow’s Plight (July), Courting Her Secret Heart (September), “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection (December), and Courting Her Prodigal Heart (January 2019). Coming in 2019, The Daughter's Predicament (May) and "Bygones" in Thimbles and Threads (July). She is a member of ACFW and active in critique groups.

Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of over thirty-four years and two cats. She has three adult children and two incredibly adorable grandchildren. Find her online at:

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