writing/podcasting a novel in 30 days 2021 November 10

National Novel Writing and Podcast Posting Month 2021

Welcome friend to Create Art Podcast where I help you tame your inner critic and create more than we consume. I am Timothy Kimo Brien your thankful head instigator with over 20 years in arts and education. How I accomplish this is by providing you with commentary, interviews, discussions, and projects that will inspire you to create art. This month I will be podcasting daily and writing a novel in 30 days. I am participating in NaPodPoMo and NaNoWriMo again this year as I did last year and you can hear those episodes here. You will be able to listen and read along to what I wrote for the day. I like to practice what I preach when it comes to art so I am challenging myself to write and having you come along for the ride. It is my hope this inspires you to accomplish your goals with your art and if you would like to share what you are doing email me at timothy@createartpodcast.com

History of NaNoWriMo and NaPodPoMo

NaNoWriMo: National Novel Writing Month began in 1999 as a daunting but straightforward challenge: to write 50,000 words of a novel in thirty days. Now, each year on November 1, hundreds of thousands of people around the world begin to write, determined to end the month with 50,000 words of a brand new novel. They enter the month as elementary school teachers, mechanics, or stay-at-home parents. They leave novelists.

NaPodPoMo: NaPodPoMo* is a month-long event along the same vein as National Novel Writing Month aka NaNoWriMo. The difference? Well, instead of writing a 50,000-word novel, you podcast every day for 30 days from November 1st-30th. Use any platform you desire. From full production studio to iPhone app and just about anything in between. The goal is to use the challenge of podcasting daily as a form of podcasting boot camp.

The Story So Far

10 Nov 2021 daily count 1694 cumulative count 15493

“I totally understand. I’d want to talk with Carmine if this was happening to us,” replied Nate. “You are doing a good job and it looks like you are holding up pretty well under the pressure. We are working as quickly as possible but also as carefully as possible to get everything done so you three can move on with your lives.”

“I’m trying to figure out what I did in the past that has cause karma to kick me in the gut like this,” said Carl.

“Life is just like this, well not exactly like this but you get what I am saying. Do you want to just quickly go over the paperwork we have, or would you rather wait until later to look it over and have me explain it to you,” asked Nate?

“I think I just want to hang out with the kids and call it a day. I know that we haven’t done any heavy lifting yet, but I have an hour drive ahead of me and then I need to make dinner and I don’t want Myra to develop my bad habits of not taking the best care of herself by pushing until exhaustion. I’m sorry I don’t mean to sound like a wus,” replied Carl.

“Nope, you are thinking like a father now and you have added responsibility. I think I’d be more worries about you if you wanted to push through, plus I’d never hear the end of it from Carmine that I locked you up in my office while we had kids out there that need us. Let's just put this on hold until we hear back from Vince and Angela and go from there,” said Nate.

Carl helped Nate organize the paperwork on his desk and when they finished both men left the office and headed towards the craft room. When they got there Myra ran up to Nate and gave him a big hug.

“Carmine and Seth made you a present with the flowers we picked, take a look,” said Myra excitedly.

“That is wonderful, I will put it in my office later. Who is up for dessert, I have some vegan chocolate cookies that will make you want to switch to becoming a vegan,” asked Nate?

Myra looked over at Carl pleadingly.

“I’d love some cookies, Myra I bet they have chocolate milk to dunk the cookies in and you must be tired from all the work you have done today making these great gifts,” replied Carl.

“She has been a great helper and has a knack for crafts,” said Carmine. “I think she deserves a few cookies. Nate can you set up the dining room for desert for everyone,” asked Carmine?

“I could use a good helper, Myra can I ask you to lend a hand if you aren’t needed here,” asked Nate?

“I think that’s a great idea Myra, I’ll take your place here and help clean up the craft room,” said Carl. With that Myra and Nate went into the dining room to set up plates, napkins and glasses for everyone.

“Have you ever had vegan chocolate chip cookies Myra,” asked Nate?

“Never, what’s in them,” replied Myra?

“Well, we don’t use any cow milk, eggs or sugar. The batter is gluten free, so it won’t aggravate any food allergies and it’s a secret recipe. If I gave you the instructions on how to make them, do you think you could make them for Cheryl and Carl at the apartment,” asked Nate?

“Where would I keep the recipe,” asked Myra?

“For right now you can keep it in the book you have and if you run into any problems just let me know and I can walk you through it. You know how to be safe around a stove right,” asked Nate?

“Yeah, I know they can burn you pretty bad if you aren’t careful,” said Myra.

“And I know Carl has a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case you need to use it,” said Nate.

“I don’t know where it is,” said Myra.

“It's under the sink in the cabinet. The instructions are on it, but I am sure if you follow my instructions carefully you can do it. I am not a great cook, but I do make the best cookies you have ever had, and I know you were being very helpful today with the crafts so I am sure you can do this,” said Nate.

“I’ll try my best,” said Myra. They finished setting up the plates, silverware, napkins and glasses for everyone and put out the cookies on a platter that Nate had made earlier in the day. Then Nate gave a copy of the recipe to Myra, and she placed it in the book she brought to the house. Nate put his finger to his lips while she put the recipe in her book.

“Can you go and tell everyone that the cookies are ready, and I’ll grab you some chocolate milk. Thank you for helping me out, Myra, and remember shhhhh don’t tell Carl you have my recipe. He doesn’t even have a copy of it,” whispered Nate.

“I can do that, thank you,” replied Myra.

She went back to the craft room and announced that the cookies and the dining room was ready. Everyone stopped the cleanup and headed towards the treat. Myra grabbed Carl’s hand and led him to his seat.

“Can we go home soon, I am getting a little tired,” asked Myra.

“Let's eat these cookies and we can go home. Did you have fun with Nate setting the table,” asked Carl?

“I really liked it; their house seems so fancy. I really like it here,” replied Myra.

“I like it here too, we will come back very soon I promise,” said Carl. They both made their way to their seats in the dining room, and everyone took a seat. Nate raised his glass, “so to a very productive day, I say we all take a nap after the treat.” Everyone laughed and started to eat the cookies.

“You are right Nate, these cookies are the best I have ever had,” replied Myra.

Nate winked at Myra, “and you have been a great helper around here today. I am sorry I didn’t get to help out much, I had adult things to do today but I hope you had a great time and will come back soon.”

“I’d like to, you all have been so nice to me today. Thank you so very much,” replied Myra.

“Since this is the first time you have come over, we wanted to give you this gift,” said Carmine as she pulled a small box out of her pants pocket and reached across the table to hand it to Myra. “Go ahead an open it.”

Myra carefully opened the box to find a necklace with a small pendant. Engraved on the pendant was the family crest and her name written under the crest. She placed it around her neck immediately and smiled broadly.

“Thank you very much, this is wonderful,” replied Myra.

“Now don’t take it off unless you are taking a bath or going swimming. We wanted to give you something to remember this day by,” said Carmine. Carl looked over at Nate and mouthed “is this what I think it is?” Nate closed his eyes and nodded yes. Carl started to roll his eyes and then gave Nate a dirty look.

“Well, I hate to break up the party, but I have a girl that is a little bit tired and so am I, Nate we can talk tomorrow and we will see you all very soon,” said Carl with a touch of anger in his voice. Myra had finished her cookie and her chocolate milk while Carl stood up and reached for Myra’s book. Carmine and the kids got up and each gave Myra and Carl a big hug. Nate stood up and walked up to Myra and took the pendant into his hands. He looked directly at Myra and said,” Take good care of my little brother okay, come by and see us soon.” He gave her a hug and stood up and shook hands with Carl. “No need to call tomorrow I took care of the issue for now.” Carl was still angered that Nate had tried to put a tracer on Myra without letting him know but was satisfied that he had turned it off.

“I have a full day of work on Monday, Carmine can Myra come over for the morning and I’ll see if Cheryl can grab her in the early afternoon,” asked Carl?

“Absolutely, but can you get her here by 6 AM, I am taking the kids to school, and she can come along for the ride. Would you like that Myra and maybe we can do more crafts,” asked Carmine?

“I would, but what about my school,” asked Myra?

“We are working on that; I’ll get you started with a new school very soon. Angela is working on that with me on that but until then enjoy the time off,” said Carl.

“See you on Monday Carmine,” said Myra as she and Carl began to head to the front door.

“I can’t wait, and I’ll have some more crafts we can do,” said Carmine. Carl and Myra went to the car and got in. Carl moved some papers he had lying in the back seat so that Myra could be comfortable.

“Would you like to stop at the gas station for a drink or a snack,” asked Carl as he started up the car and pulled out of the driveway?

“No, I am so full, I think I may take a nap,” replied Myra sleepily. Carl turned on some classical music softly so Myra could rest and made sure he was very careful with his driving. They got close to the gas station where they had stopped earlier in the day and Carl saw three police cars in the lot. He was planning on grabbing a coffee or soda and a snack but thought better of it and kept driving.

Reaching Out

To reach out to me, email timothy@createartpodcast.com I would love to hear about your journey and what you are working on. If you would like to be on the show or have me discuss a topic that is giving you trouble write in and lets start that conversation.