Camp Has Ended

Today is the final day of Camp NaNoWriMo. It's been a great but exhausting month, and I'm glad I did Camp NaNowriMo. Not only did I enter it for the first time, but I met and exceeded my word count goal. And that means I'm a winner . I hope to print my certificate soon and tomorrow I'll upload my first chapter to Jukepop Serials and I'll be getting my second novel ready to be printed as a proof copy. For now, though, I'm going to say goodnight. I want to do the July edition of Camp NaNoWriMo if I can, too.  My Writing Buddy from NaNoWriMo 2013 will be participating too. I wasn't sure how being in a 'cabin' was going to go, but I made friends and everyone was really supportive. I liked the idea that I had a group of people to talk to and exchange experiences , ideas news and anecdotes with that was closer to hand and more personal than delving around in the forum, as sometimes with the forum, I find myself coming away more confused than when I asked the question, and I find some forums are places where people can get opinionated and a bit selfish or rude . Today is also my grandmother Lilly's 89th birthday.  

Success My First Camp NaNoWriMo

Today, I finished and uploaded my novel to the word count validator on www.campnanaowrimo.org, and it showed I had met, and gone over, my 35,000 words limit, and that I am a winner. My actual word count is 36, 590  words,. It was such a relief to finally submit my novel , with 6 days to spare. As soon as I'd uploaded it and saw the winner screen, I felt a sense of pride . that took me back to last November when I first jumped on the NaNoWriMo wagon. What I liked about Camp  NaNoWriMo as opposed to the regular NaNoWriMo was that with Camp NaNoWriMo, I could change my word count goal , and I'm glad I put it down to 35,000 words , as , this time around, this goal was much more attainable and realistic. I won't say it was easy though, it wasn't, and there were many days when I felt exhausted , but felt the need to carry on and meet my goal. I have checked out the winner's page , and claimed some of the prizes: I have submitted my first chapter to  Jukepop Serials at 

www. jukepop.com 

A few days ago, I reserved my proof copy of my novel via www.lulu.com's offer. From publishing Spellbrooke #1 through them, I know the score, and  know it doesn't take long to create a cover through them. I can't wait to get both novels actually on sale , through CreateSpace.com, hopefully. Now, I am rereading and giving my novel the final edit before I see my manuscript turn into my proof copy. The moment Spellbrooke came through the post was one of the proudest moments of my life. All I had to do was pay postage which wasn't much. I have until August to upload it, but want to do so as soon as possible. May 1 is another deadline, I will upload my manuscript for the manuscript review by the Book Grenome Project.....I wonder what this one will say?!  The last one likened my writing style to Stephen King and Joanna Harris (of Chocolat fame) . 

I have to say, as tiring as Camp NaNoWriMo was for me, it's well worth the effort: I would never had thought this time last year I'd have dictated 2 of my own novels! 

Now, I just have to publish them :) 

My campaign is still going on Indiegogo  for help with publishing Spellbrooke, and the last day is May 19 th. 

NOW, ITS TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!!!

Thank you to everyone in my Cabin who supported me and cheered me on. Keep going Campers! Maybe we'll see each other at the July retreat! 

 

Winner Certificate  Screen , and, below, goodies from the Sponsors! PLUS Camp NaNoWriMo Facebook, Twitter and Blog badges 

World Book And Copyright Day And World Book Night, 23 April 2014

Reading is my favourite hobby, but it's not just a hobby, its a way of life for me. I learned to read earlier than people thought I would . I've always struggled  with different font sizes  and styles due to my eyesight , and its great now I have my iPad, as I  can change the font size and contrast, and as holding books has always been difficult and tiring for me due to the spasticity in my arms , hands and fingers . I have a special stand for my iPad and I've created gestures to help me turn the pages on my iPad to make it easier . 

Here is my run-down of my World book Day and Night , April 23 , 2014. Today is also a special day as it's 8 years and 1 month since my fiancée and I started our relationship. 

16:00P.M. Finished reading Window Boy by Andrea White.  

This is the story of Sam and his aide, Miss Perkins. He has cerebral palsy, and spends his days looking out his window towards the basketball court at Stirling High School. He longs to go there. He manages to get accepted to the school, and makes friends with Ann, a girl in his class. The story tells of his time in a residential school and care home with a strict headmaster  after he's taken  out of school by his mother, and his experiences of being the only child with a disability in the school. I can totally relate to this as I have the same disability as Sam and was the first child with a disability at my  school. I liked the end and the updates about Sam and his friends and the inspiration for the book: Thomas. Window Boy was set in 1968. I also liked the insights into Miss Perkins' life in London and her memories from the war, 

Synopsis of Window Boy by Andrea White : 

Set in 1968, this touching novel tells the story of Sam Davis, a young man with cerebral palsy who peers though his bedroom window every day at the school he longs to attend. With great determination and the help of both his caretaker and his imaginary friend, Winston Churchill, Sam not only succeeds in gaining admittance to the school and the acceptance of his peers, but also fulfills his dream of becoming the school's basketball coach. The narrative, full of poignant insights into attitudes toward people with disabilities, provides a glimpse into the life of Winston Churchill, who is a key inspiration for young Sam.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/12/magazine/12MAINSTREAMING.html?pagewanted=all&position=&_r=0.  Here's the article  about Thomas  Even then, and unfortunately even now, in 2014, education and the provision for people with disabilities and in society has a long way to go to show true inclusion. I myself have both experience of Special education and "mainstreamed' education. 

19:59 PM  Started Maine by J Courtney Sullivan. 

What attracted me to this book was : firstly , the title. I have family in Maine , and have been there on holiday. I like this New England state. Here's the synopsis of the book 

In her best-selling debut, Commencement, J. Courtney Sullivan explored the complicated and contradictory landscape of female friendship. Now, in her highly anticipated second novel, Sullivan takes us into even richer territory, introducing four unforgettable women who have nothing in common but the fact that, like it or not, they’re family. 

For the Kellehers, Maine is a place where children run in packs, showers are taken outdoors, and old Irish songs are sung around a piano. Their beachfront property, won on a barroom bet after the war, sits on three acres of sand and pine nestled between stretches of rocky coast, with one tree bearing the initials “A.H.” At the cottage, built by Kelleher hands, cocktail hour follows morning mass, nosy grandchildren snoop in drawers, and decades-old grudges simmer beneath the surface. 

As three generations of Kelleher women descend on the property one summer, each brings her own hopes and fears. Maggie is thirty-two and pregnant, waiting for the perfect moment to tell her imperfect boyfriend the news; Ann Marie, a Kelleher by marriage, is channeling her domestic frustration into a dollhouse obsession and an ill-advised crush; Kathleen, the black sheep, never wanted to set foot in the cottage again; and Alice, the matriarch at the center of it all, would trade every floorboard for a chance to undo the events of one night, long ago.

By turns wickedly funny and achingly sad, Maine unveils the sibling rivalry, alcoholism, social climbing, and Catholic guilt at the center of one family, along with the abiding, often irrational love that keeps them coming back, every summer, to Maine and to each other.

23;39P.M. I'm enjoying Maine so  far. I'll keep,reading and update tomorrow. 

Enjoy the rest of  Workd Book Night! 

I will definitely participate next year, and can't wait! 

Camp NaNoWriMo Day 17: April 17 2014: 30,000 words!

Today, I dictated 4,000 words and I reached another milestone: 30,000 . It has been tough going this time, I've doubted I could do it again, what with my campaigns and trying to still get my first novel ready for publishing. It hasn't been easy as I've had bad headaches most days. Now, I just have to do the last 5,000 words. I'm glad I reduced my word count: 35,000 seems more manageable this time, but if I do more, that's a bonus. I took a few hours out to watch Save The Last Dance- a favourite film of mine. Despite having it on DVD and having watched it many times, it doesn't bore me. 

Here's to tomorrow, and I hope it's finished in first draft from before Easter , or on Easter Day at the latest , as my Camp NaNoWriMo word updator tool predicts. I'll give it my all over the next few days  and see how far I get. 

I Have Made It To 10,000 Words!

Since having started Camp NaNoWriMo 9 days ago, I'm pleased I have crossed the 10,000 word line, that means I'm one fifth of the way through my novel . I'm pleased how far I've come. It's been hard this time around as I have my campaign up on Indiegogo.com to raise money for publishing, and there is a little more editing I have to do on my first novel but I'll get there, and I wanted the challenge I knew Camp NaNoWriMo would be. I like the idea of the cabins, and having a group of people right there to share experiences with. Here's to the other 40,000 words! I can do this! I had a bit of a bad moment yesterday as I felt exhausted , but after a good sleep I feel a little better and have managed to do a few thousand words today so I'm pleased. At least this has to be a draft only....

I haven't managed to update every day as I've been busy, but I'll try and update more often.

Til Next Time! 

Indiegogo Campaign To Raise Funds to Publish my Novel Spellbrooke

Today, my campaign on Indiegogo. com went live . The aim of this campaign is to raise funds to be able to publish Spellbrooke. 

please donate if you're able, if not, please share my campaign with others using the link below. 

<iframe src="https://www.indiegogo.com/project/help-me-make-my-dream-to-publish-my-novel-spellbrooke-come-true/widget" width="224px" height="486px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

Help me make my dream to publish become a reality! . My page also has an image gallery where you'll find images and videos related to my campaign. This campaign is also on my blog Katherine Hayward my life with cerebral palsy, also on Blogger. 

thanks in advance for your interest and support 

Camp NaNoWriMo April 2014 : day 1 2,090 Words

Today, Camp NaNoWriMo started. I had been debating about doing this for awhile and decided to take the plunge. I've organised myself quite well I think : I signed up back in December 2013 and filled in my novel and personal information and then I was assigned to a Cabin (group of supporters) and opened up my Textilus iPad app and got started. I also calculated how much I'd have to write each day this month  if I am to reach my 50,000 word goal. There's a flexible word count, with 10,000 being the minimum, and this is what makes it different to NaNoWriMo . So far today I'm at 2,090 words, and am proud of what I've done. By the end of this I'm hoping to have a good draft of Spellbrooke 2 . What I like about NaNoWriMo and Camp NaNoWriMo is they are both good for motivation and work for me. 

Here are a few screenshots showing Textilus and the Camp NaNoWriMo site, my faithful companions during the challenge.