My year of writing…

Most of my friends have heard me talk about National Novel Writing Month, and its spinoffs.  I have attempted it for several years, and technically won it this year.  The problem is that my grand opus is utterly worthless.  No, I'm not just saying that.  The novel that Johnny wrote in the movie, "The Shining" was better.  If I had randomly repeated letters, it would have been just as good.

BUT…  I still in the kernel of an idea that I want to attempt to do justice to.  I just know that 50,000 words in a month does not work for me.  Not in November.  Not in July or August for Camp Nano.

I found something that might provide a different framework.  It's an attempt to write a novel within a year. WriYe seems to allow a good kind of flexibility.  For example, in the able to begin my goals at a lower level and move up.  I'm starting at 50,000 for the year.  If that looks like it's too easy to reach, I can modify it.  If I get cocky and decide that I can do 250,000 words per year, after I attempt it and realize that I'm just being ridiculous, I can modify my goal at any time.

I don't have to adjust the finishing the first draft of the novel.  Novel planning counts towards the goal.  Short stories count.  Nonfiction books and articles count.

Blogging does not count, which is probably a good idea.

 

I will let you know how it works for me…

A Tale of Two Printers

We did it.  Mother and I finally realized that, no matter how much other people like that HP printer thingy, SOME others of us HAVE FOUND IT TO BE NOTHING BUT MISERY.  In fact, when we looked at reviews, there were a lot for the HP Office Jet 4500.  About 60 were 110% positive.  About 245 were absolutely negative.  There was nothing in between…

The only thing I can figure out is

1.  People only write reviews when they feel passionate.  Hating a printer is much more gut wrenching than loving a printer.

2.  Maybe this is sort of like being able to get a much higher price for a classic car if it was made on a Wednesday than if it was made on a Monday or a Friday.

At any rate, all the HP Software is removed from all our computers.  That printer is going to goodwill or someplace that might benefit from it.

We installed the Brother MFL-Pro 430.  It was way cheap, and…  So far, anyway…  A wonderful bit of technology.

All you Facebook experts out there, I HAVE A QUESTION!

Sometimes, I have trouble making out what Facebook encourages, permits, discourages, and forbids.  The legalese it is virtually incomprehensible in places.  It makes me feel stupid, and I know that I'm not…  At least not most of the time.

So…  I'm hoping that some of you can help these sort this out.

If I have several affiliate stores, is it permissible to set up a Facebook page for them?

What's going on with "Families of SMA"

Advancing Research:
The SMA Drug Pipeline
-We now have 13 new SMA drug programs in development, including 3 clinical trials.
-This pipeline has expanded from just 4 programs 5 years ago.
-Families of SMA has funded half of all the ongoing drug programs for SMA.

Supporting Families:
The FSMA Equipment Pool
-In the last year Families of SMA provided direct services to over 3,600 patients and families.
-We supply critical resources specially designed for SMA patients to live a healthy and comfortable life.
-Recently added medical equipment ranges from adaptive bathing systems to positioning strollers.

 
Giving Hope:
The Annual SMA Conference
-1,500 attendees, 3 times as many families and patients as 5 years ago.
-New specialized programs for newly diagnosed families and for professional care providers.
-Participation has grown to 14 companies, including 3 major pharmaceutical partners.

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1 in 40 people, or 8 million Americans, are genetic carriers.
SMA is the #1 genetic killer of infants.

 Families of SMA --Research, Support, Hope