​I know this post is late, after all, National Novel Writing Month was in November. But after a busy Christmas season and a fresh start to the New Year, I decided to give you a peek at what it was like for a first-time NaNoWriMo contestant to write 50k words in 30 days

​What is National Novel Writing Month?
National Novel Writing month, affectionately called NaNoWriMo, is a challenge for fiction writers (and the occasional non-fiction writer) to write 1,600 words every day for 30 days. The goal is to reach 50k words by the end of the month and hold a completed novel in your had. 

Why compete in NaNoWriMo?
1. It teaches consistency like no amount of self-discipline can ever do.
2. It forces you to write - not edit. First drafts are not meant to be edited until they are complete and when you are writing this many words per day, you don't  have time to do anything but tell the story and hope it turns out read-able. 
3. It. Is. Fun. 

What was my biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge was learning to throw perfection to the wind and just write. With most of my projects, I tend to work over a certain scene several times until it is exactly how I want it before moving on. I find that is the easiest way to erase any obstacles or inconstancies. But when it comes down to NaNo, and the clock is ticking, you learn to jump over the obstacles by either making something up, or promising to come back to it later. Its about the word count, not the content. 

What helped me make it through November without getting exhausted or running out of inspiration?
I have always been a pantser - I don't plot, I write on the edge of my seat and wait for the story to unfold naturally from my imagination. This doesn't work for everyone, but it is my favorite way of writing. 
NaNoWriMo, however, was different. 
I spent the last half of October plotting, planning, and scene-sketching until I knew exactly what I wanted to write every day. This was my greatest weapon during November. Rather than having to worry about a sudden writer's block in the midst of a chapter, I could simply turn to my outline - my "170-bullet-points" outline to be exact.

What was my favorite part?
I loved having a way to track my progress and it was oh so fun watching the word count of my novel climb day by day! My favorite part of the challenge, however, was announcing to my family that I had actually completed it. It is moments like those that I am reminded how they really are my biggest fans. 

The Highlights of my journey:
Wordiest Day: 5,184 words on November 13th
Passing 100 pages during the final week (this is always one of my favorites with every novel I write).
November 30th: The day I got a sweet t-shirt out of the whole deal. 

So... did I win or lose?
If you haven't already guess, I won. I finished on November 30th at exactly 50,046 words, and I can't wait for next year!

Have you ever competed in NaNoWriMo? What was your favorite part? I would love to hear about it!

I love fresh beginnings. A new morning. A new school year. A new challenge. 
And especially a New Year. 
It is officially 2019 and to celebrate, I want to look back on a few of my favorites from last year and look forward to a few things I am excited for in 2019.

A Few 2018 Highlights

• I had my first article posted on TheRebelution.com
• I held the self-published copy of a book I had been writing and loving for years in my hands. 
• My family acquired two more horses and I grew in my riding and training skills by leaps and bounds all summer long. 
• I competed in and won National Novel Writing Month.
• I watched a few good friends get married and made several new friends that I love hanging out with and feel blessed to have. 
• I started this website and hit 50 subscribers in the first week after it was launched. 
• I turned 18-years-old and spent my first week away from home to learn from a local midwife.  
• And many, many other adventures with my family that shaped a crazy wonderful and challenging year. I let go of a lot, grabbed onto some new things, and learned more than I could ever have imagined.

A Few 2019 Goals

• To submit more of my writings for publishing in major platforms.
• Reach 100 subscribers on my blog 
• Complete one polished novel manuscript.
• Graduate and apply for my first job.
• As always, read the Bible through in a year and grow closer to my Savior. 
• Love life and live every day to the very fullest!

Something I've realized as I look back on the last year is that life is short. You've only got one shot to make a difference in the world for Christ. I want live every day in light of eternity. Maybe I don't become a successful author, or perhaps I never reach any of the goals I have set for myself. But no matter what, I want my life to glorify my Creator. That is my true purpose. 
To live life well. 
Happy 2019 and may this year be brimful with blessings!

Something God has been teaching me is this: I can say all the right things, have all the right answers, and take all the right actions, but without love these works are empty. My words, no matter how eloquent, and my actions, no matter how good, mean nothing without love. I am not living my faith by simply "talking the talk". I must walk my faith and truly live what I believe. But that isn't possible unless the driving force of Christ's love abides in me.
Why?
Because I've tried to live a life of love and goodness on my own, and I always fail, ending up prideful and broken. His love is all that will ever be enough.
It is enough to save a world of sinners. It is enough to reach out to a single, broken human and offer life. It is enough to enter my heart and change me from the inside out, until my works are no longer my own but an overflow of His incredible grace. 
That is living a life of love - when we stop focusing on our good works, and start simply loving because He loves us.