The great weekend, four days off work, began with watching the wife work a celebration at Fort Meade, Maryland Friday. I spent the evening before the fireworks watching the crowd gathering. It was amazing the number of people who came out to enjoy the bands, the free rides, and evening culminating fireworks. I forgot to mention the long, long lines of those wanting to sample the many types of food available from some of the local vendors. *I heard one vendor sold out. They had not anticipated the huge crowd.* Of course, the fireworks were super.

Saturday started as a down day. Shopping with the wife followed by an afternoon of movies. Logan was a well-made movie but I was disappointed with the story line. I didn’t care for the ending or the events leading up to it. Still I would give it a five star rating if asked.

With hours remaining before “sack time,” I called up my work-in-progress and started revising it. On a whim, I went on the WANATribe website and found Kristen Lamb online. She and I sprinted three-40 minute sprints. I got a chapter revised and part of another. It is always easier writing, sprinting or not, with a partner. A visit to Facebook and Twitter rounded off the day.

Amateur carpenters, meaning men and women, who undertake a home improvement or repair will recognize today’s, Sunday’s, experience. I planned a project to update a set of banisters lining the lower part of the stairs. I bought the shortest newel post Lowes stocked locally. I bought the red oak board for the base and a set of balusters. I removed the old parts and cut the base. That is when it all came to an unsatisfactory end. The new newel post and balusters were too long. There was no way to cut them to fit. I had to reinstall the old post and balusters. Special order appears to be the only way to get the right size materials. Saying I was disappointed would be an understatement.

The day was saved in the afternoon and evening. We were invited to a professional lacrosse game. The Bayhawks defeated the Rattlers. *My Son’s boss owns the Bayhawks so figure who we routed for?* Country star Craig Campbell performed a concert and there was a grand finale fireworks display.

Rounding out the day with this blog post. *Smiley face.* Two days of my four day weekend gone. What will the other two bring?

How has your weekend gone? I look forward to hearing your weekend story. Tell me in the comments.

[bctt tweet=”An interesting two and one-half days of a long weekend. Some failed carpentry, writing, and lots of fireworks. #mywana #ontheporch #lacrosse” username=”dwaneknott”]

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Thank you and Happy New Year to those who have spent time with me on this blog, on Facebook, or Twitter. Only active since October, I hope I entertained, provided a laugh or two, or brought a memory long gone to mind with the posts.

I began the year toying with a novel I had been writing since early 2014. I finished the draft of Saving Delisanna in March. It was over 100,000 words written by a pantser (me). I wrote two endings, one suitable for a standalone novel and one suitable to leave an opening for a follow-on work. However, Saving Delisanna needed a lot of work. I enjoined experts for assistance by reading their writing blogs and craft novels. Among these experts were James Scott Bell, Marcy Kennedy, and others noted in my blog  https://dwaneknott.com/2016/12/christmas-gifts-writers/.

How do you create a brand?

What fun is having a novel if it is not read? Readers have to be cultivated. Kristen Lamb wrote a premier work called Rise of the Machines, Human Authors in a Digital World.  She espoused one needs a brand.  Facebook, Twitter, and blog are three of elements that can contribute to exposing one’s brand to the world. I had the Facebook and Twitter accounts where I began to be more active. In October, I posted my first blog to this site.   (Kristen writes on noteworthy topics. One of her latest includes advice on succeeding in 2017.)

W.A.N.A Tribe for writers

Writing is a solitary business but writing alone is a lonely business (pun intended). Kristen’s book introduced me to W.A.N.A. (We Are Not Alone) Tribe. This is a site she operates for serious writers. I found the serious writers there willing to share their experience with those who ask. It is also a place for writers to socialize and to write. Kristen hosts ‘sprinting’ on weekday mornings and sometimes in the evening. Sprinting is a timed writing window after which participants can brag about how much they have written. It is easier to write if someone is supporting.

I have several favorite blog writers. Among them is K.M. Weiland’s https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/. Her blog series How to Outline for NaNoWriMo inspired me to join the NaNoWriMo challenge. I finished November with a winner icon and Kiliane’s Rage, my second draft novel.

December has been busy. Besides the blog, Facebook, and Twitter, I have joined a critique group to provide reviews of Kiliane’s Rage revised chapters. I am providing reviews for other writers. Writing critiques seems to help my writing. Seeing ways to improve others’ works gives me insight into ways to improve mine. My road is long but I am on it.

The last half of this year was hectic. I hope the coming year to be less so since the ‘getting going’ work is done. The past few months were interesting and fun. I interacted with some amazing writers and personable people and have learned much from them.

May you have a Safe and Happy New Year

A special thank you to everyone who has visited this site. I hope that you will visit again and leave me a comment. Let me know you came.

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Internet for gift ideas – how ‘novel’

Search the internet for Christmas gifts for writers and you will be overwhelmed by the variety of suggestions. I am a writer and love gifts. However, my wife gives me the ‘are you kidding me’ look every time I tell someone that I write novels. Well I have and do. Two in fact. Just not in a condition to be published yet. That will come. But I doubt she will select a craft book as a Christmas present for me.

Not one to wait for a holiday to gift myself something I need, I have been buying my writer’s gifts all year. It would require pages to list titles of the craft books I have bought. It is easier to list the authors that I thank for their insight and willingness to share their knowledge of craft with me and other newbie writers.

Writers of Craft

James Scott Bell and Marcy Kennedy wrote the first books I downloaded to my reader. In time, I added works by Willian Bernhardt, Jessica Bell, Mary Buckham, Rayne Hall, Marg McAlister, Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi, and Roz Morris. Each has contributed to my growth in profound ways.

The latest additions are works by Kristen Lamb and K.M. Weiland. If you are interested in being published, Kristen Lamb’s books will guide you through the process of developing your own brand. K.M. Weiland has two great works on outlining your novel and novel structure. They both have insightful and interesting blogs.

I hope that your Christmas writer’s gift meets your needs and expectations. The ones I gave me do.

I would enjoy hearing your favorite writers of craft.

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