Yesterday, I said I was starting my participation in NaNoWriMo today. And I have officially begun. I wrote 2000 words this morning, so I’m off to a good start. If anyone would like to add me as a buddy over there, please do – my username is medievalbookworm. I’m writing a historical romance novel for two reasons; I always thought I could, and I know how it will end, which has always stymied me in the past when writing longer works of fiction. If I know the ending, surely I will be able to somehow get the novel there. I just want to see how it goes and that involves choosing the easiest genre (for me) to write. Although to be honest I wouldn’t be surprised if mine was the tamest romance ever – I prefer the ones without explicit scenes, believe it or not. I don’t particularly want anyone to read it, but I’m happy that it’s moving along nicely and I found it fairly easy to write. In fact, I might even write more later, as the feeling is surprisingly exhilarating.
In other bookish news, I have plenty to read these days. I have a library loot post coming up this week with several weeks’ worth of loot, but my most exciting find was Kazuo Ishiguro’s new short story collection, Nocturnes. How can I resist Ishiguro? He’s one of my favorite authors and I had a moment of absolute glee when I saw it in the new book section. I don’t think these stories are going to stay unread for very long. I also finished Ash by Malinda Lo last night and I unexpectedly adored it, so I’m for once looking forward to writing a review. I was feeling frustrated with my reading last week, but I think all I needed was a change of pace, reading what I want to read rather than what I need to review. I think if I intersperse reading that I choose with the review copies, things will go much more smoothly. In all honesty I don’t have very many books for review – I’ve stopped requesting at all and only accept if I think a book will be very good – so this should not be a challenge. So, today I’m going to be reading Nocturnes and Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier, and after I’m finished with them I will try and go back to read a review copy.
I’m not sure which books will be ahead this week; I’m just going to see how I feel. What are you planning on reading this week?
Wishing you much success and fun with NaNoWriMo. I really admire ALL the participants. and it looks like you’ve got some great reading up ahead, too. I’m going to start The Whale Rider today even tho the NZ Challenge ended yesterday.
.-= Care´s last blog ..Thinking of You Chartroose! =-.
Good luck with NaNoWriMo! I would love it if one of my blogging friends became a published author!
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Review: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. =-.
I really like the Ishiguro books I’ve read, too. I have also recently gotten more into short stories, so I’m looking forward to hearing what you think about that Nocturnes.
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Review: The Order of Odd-Fish =-.
You’re doing great with NaNoWriMo so far! 2,000 words in one morning is awesome!
.-= Alyce´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon & October Wrap Up =-.
Glad to hear more book bloggers will be joining me this year in NaNoWriMo. I’ll add you as a friend. I’m pavcrawphan over on the site.
Congrats on making your first 2,000 words. Excellent way to start.
.-= Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday #54 =-.
Good luck with NaNo, Meghan!! And I’m glad to hear you loved Ash. I wanted to love it too, but alas, it just didn’t work for me.
.-= Nymeth´s last blog ..A little bit of this, a little bit of that =-.
I’m not sure which books I’ll be reading this week either. It’s kind of nice to just be able to go with the flow.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Challenges, challenges and more challenges! =-.
Yay, go Meghan!!!!!!!!
.-= Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last blog ..Faith ‘n’ Fiction Saturday: Are Angels the New Vampires? =-.
I’ve just added you to my NaNo buddy list. You’re doing great so far!
.-= Memory´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon: NaNoWriMo =-.
Hey, you know what I DO want to read? Your DISSERTATION!
.-= Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..TSS: Daniel’s First Halloween: A Story in Pictures =-.
Wow, 2,000 words! I was planning to do NaNoWriMo but somehow got hung up and never prepared. On the plus side, I have many good books waiting for me this month. Good luck!
.-= Amy @ Just Book Reading´s last blog ..October 2009 Reading List =-.
Good luck Meghan. Looking forward to hearing about your progress.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..That’s How I Blog! Highlights: Trish, Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’? =-.
Good luck with NaNo, Meghan!
.-= Melody´s last blog ..Monday Memes =-.
Wow! I think that’s awesome that you are writing! I can’t wait to read about it!
.-= Julie P.´s last blog ..Shelf Discovery Challenge — Book Reports =-.
Yay, Nanowrimo! You’re already ahead, Meghan.
.-= heidenkind´s last blog ..Creepy Art =-.
Good luck on NaNoWriMo — I think it’s awesome. I really admire your ambitions and talent. Can’t wait to see what you have to say about Ash; I’m still undecided about reading it. And yes, I want to read more of what I want to read instead of what I need to read.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Giveaway Winner: Only Milo by Barry Smith =-.
All the best and have fun
Good luck with NaNoWriMo; I’m participating too. I’ll look for you and add you as a writing buddy if you don’t mind!
.-= Marie´s last blog ..Graphic Novel Monday: Glister 1: Glister and The Haunted Teapot, by Andi Watson =-.
I am amazed by your ability to blog and Nano! Also I see you’re in my part of the world (sort of) so big cheers for anothe West Mids resident.
Good luck on Nano! You’ll do great
You made a good point here about switching things up to read books you want to as compared those that are review copies and “required”. I did that this week a bit as well and I feel a reading rejeuvination.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – November 1 =-.
Congratulations on deciding to join NaNoWriMo, I think that you will do great, and it’s really cool that you have an end in mind, and only need to write your way towards it! I also am curious what you will think of the new Ishiguro book. I just read and reviewed Never Let Me Go, and was really impressed with it. The only other book I have read by Ishiguro has been A Pale View of the Hills, and I notice a lot of similarities between the two. I think he is a brilliant writer, and I am looking forward to reading The Remains of the Day very soon.
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro – 304 pgs =-.
Good Luck with your writing. I am sure you can right really well
And I also am in favor of of no explicit scenes 
I have not read anything by Ishiguro, but I have him ni my TBR. I am sure I will read him up next
Have fun with your reads
.-= Veens´s last blog ..Wishing! =-.