Another WIP Day

WIP: Work in Progress
Not a great week in this area for me. In fact, I've been feeling rather guilty for not looking at some of my smaller projects and getting them mailed off.  Got to make a list and stick with it. *smile*, I love lists.
As for the novel...I decided to start on it during the NaNoWriMo contest.  I can continue to pre-write in the journal before it starts. Plus I could do a little on chapter outlines, that way I would stay focused on the task before me.  I have 5 days left before the challenge starts.  YIKES! I need to get on those chapter outlines....and my goal to get two articles out in the mail before the writing frenzy begins.

QBR: Quick Book Review
I finished two books this week.  The first was Masterpiece by Elise Broach and the second was The Tales of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo.
Masterpiece by Elise Broach was a good fiction read about James, a boy, who can't draw and a beetle that can. Their adventures all start when James' mom discovers the drawing and believes it is James'. And the adventure continues when James is asked to draw a replica of one of Albrecht Dürer's drawings. The story is not just about art, but about friendship among two very unlikely beings. It did have a bit of a slow start, but I was hooked after the third or fourth chapter. I'm thinking about reading it out loud to the Son once it hits the library shelf.

The Tales of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo was wonderful. I did read this out loud to the Son. I loved the author's voice in this story. To read a lengthier version of this review, click here. It was on my FitG list.

TGC: Tips Giveaways Contests
Tip of the Week comes from Amy at The Green Bathtub. She highlights the idea of retyping your novel into a different document.  Go here for more details on this editing tip.
Giveaways:
1. Marcia is offering her October Critique Giveaway. Two lucky winners receive a manuscript critique of up to 1000 words of a children's magazine story, mid-grade novel, YA. Go here for more details.
Contest:
1. Only a few days left for NanoWriMo and PiBoIdMo.  Which I need to sign up still....
2. Susan Field's Back From Hiatus Contest.  She is offering free non-fiction books on the art of writing. Go here for details.