Food plan alert. Mine is in work. Is yours?
I’ve participated in how many NaNoWriMos? Ten, eleven or twelve? I’ve not finished a couple that’s for sure. I’m not traveling this fall, so I hope that bodes well for a successful writing month. I may even do something scary, like take a Scrivner class.
The National Novel Writing Month in 
November is a signature event for me. If I’m not planning one or editing a book that I wrote in one, then I’m probably in one.
This month was all about clearing the decks. I submitted a book proposal, marketed the anthology Murder, Mystery & Mayhem, prepared for the anthology’s launch party, and set up a Lillian in the Doorway giveaway that starts Saturday. And prepared for a new indie series launch.
Ravenscar Shifters is a series set in central California, in a community of raven shifters. I initiated the pre-publication tasks for The Last Storyteller—the first book (a novella) in this three-book paranormal series. Besides being paranormal/fantasy, it is also a mystery and a second-chance sweet romance. The cover is finished and I’ll post a reveal in a few days. The novella should be ready for pre-order on Halloween.
The second book, The Foreign Story Collector, a suspense romance novel with paranormal elements. Its release should be in December.
In November, it will be 50,000 words in 30 days. It’s almost a rule that you start November 1st with a fresh idea, a token stab at a few characters, and the barest outline possible. See the website and/or Baty’s book for more information.
Foment: My 2017 NaNo? My writing life is stirring up trouble. I’d planned to write the third book in the Ravenscar Shifters series or the second book in the Orange Ranch Brides series or the third book in the Deluded Detective Mystery series. Yet I’d dearly love to finish my YA dystopia novel, finish the beta revision to my SF novel, and finish the Tunisian paranormal novella. I can do all three in thirty days. What to do…? Feel free to express an opinion. Should I be a starter or a finisher?
Feast: But the real preparation? Getting food in order so that I can concentrate on writing. First year it’ll be strictly plant-based vegan, and I’ll try to meet Dr. Greger’s Daily Dozen.
Breakfast: fridge porridge or power greens smoothie or vegan muffin with fruit
Lunch: hummus wraps or bean tacos or sandwiches with carrot-cashew curry spread and veggies on pumpernickel with broccoli slaw
Dinner: baked potato stuffed with chili or salad bowls or spaghetti with veggie sauce and power greens.
I hydrate with iced Trader Joe’s harvest blend tea.
Quick meal preparation is how you make novels!
Questions? Please leave your favorite NaNoWriMo recipes and prep plans here.
Happy noveling, Michelle
Michelle Knowlden writes... 
I’ve got blueberries and waffles, and eggs for omelettes. Lunches: fruits and cheese, shrimp tacos, smoked salmon with avocado, or a tuna salad, or smoked chicken wraps. For dinner: stuffed bell peppers, salmon, or pasta w/walnuts, or spinach pizza. Snacks: pecans, Snickers, any leftover Halloween candy, strawberry licorice, dried mandarin oranges. And lots of coffee and tea!