Well folks, NaNoWriMo is nearly upon us—nine days! And you’ll be relieved to know that I have my lucky coffee cup. Here’s the deal. I started this challenge in 2005 and only finished 25,000 words… Because, I was writing in longhand. The writing wasn’t hard, but the word count was a Bitch. The next year I finished with the requisite 50K and rewarded myself with a tee shirt. The following year the prize was a shiny red coffee mug with the words “National Novel Writing Month” emblazoned on one side and “Can’t Talk Noveling.” on the other side. My secret weapon. I’ve used it every year and won every year.
Earlier this year… Tragedy struck. First the handle broke off, but I glued it back on. And then one fateful day I bumped it against the counter and it’s smashed into a bazillion pieces. I was sure I would never write again.<insert weeping and gnashing of teeth>
In desperation, I wrote a letter to the Office of Letters and Light–Nano headquarters. I knew that the awards changed every year but held out a slim hope that there might be a few red mugs somewhere.
Within a short time I received an answer from the office manager telling me there might be one sitting around as a pencil cup and he would send it to me. You may not believe me, but the heavens opened and I heard music.
Alas, weeks went by and no package. There was an e-mail from the O.L.L. describing the chaotic move of their office. “Well… I guess the coffee mug got lost in the shuffle.” I wrote an e-mail to that effect and once again was assured that it must’ve been delayed.
More time passed and I sent my donation, as I promised, but no red shiny mug appeared. With sadness in my heart, I sent a note to the infinitely witty Tim Kim. “I guess it wasn’t meant to be, but thank you.”
He responded: “Agh, that’s terrible! Thankfully, one of our fantastic staff members has donated his mug to your cause, and we’ll be shipping it out again today.I hope this one reaches you safely, and that it appeases your muses! Please, please let me know if this one doesn’t make it to you either, oof.”
Last Saturday, once again, the heavens opened and I heard music. And found a box in my mail. It was in fact a shiny red mug! I cannot tell you that joy that package brought me, not only for the bright shiny coffee mug that greets me each morning, but also for the bright, hardworking staff.
“NaNoWriMo is run by a tiny but mighty nonprofit called the Office of Letters and Light. OLL’s other programs include: Camp NaNoWriMo and Young Writers program”
This will be my seventh year; I have at least ten manuscripts waiting in various stages of completion. Two of those have already been published in two more are contracted.
So, thank you, Tim Kim and a wonderful crew at the Office of Letters and Light (http://store.lettersandlight.org ) from another very grateful writer.
Barrett & Her Muses
PS if you want to write a novel, there’s still time to sign up! NaNoWriMo
Words of Barrett 
Great blog! Good luck and go for it!
Muchas gracias!
Great story! Not sure I’m going to do the official one this year, but I feel my very own nano coming on soon,
brenda
you know, even if you don’t hit 50k…you still have a chunk of words written…just sayin’ 😉
I agree! 🙂
Well, Doris Rose McBean, another fine blog, and a good cause to champion! Congrats on the new mug, I’m hoping I’ll be able to find my special mugs when my belongings finally arrive from Texas. I’ll be joining you on the Nano Journey….look for nkarenfo…. Take care and have a blast!
Karen
Thanks, Karen, I’ll look for you. Good luck on thhe move!
Hey, Jeanne. Another good one. You rock!
Thanks, Lois!
You go, girl!
I’m trying!
Glad they found you another mug, Barrett! I have to say the Office of Letters and Light sounds like something out of Harry Potter. I am really torn about doing it this year. I want to work on a story I started, but I am on the road for 11 days out of the month of November and worried it will be hard to write on the road. So, still trying to decide. Thanks for the fun blog!
Nothing ventured… What’ve you got to lose? However many words you do complete, you’re ahead of where you are right now… Convinced? Thanks for stopping by!
Okay. You convinced me. I am in. And will just do as much as I can do. Who knows? I may surprise myself.
Great! look for Doris Rose MacBean 😉
Will do and me, I am just “Anita Bradshaw” 🙂
That’s wonderful! I’ve never looked at the prizes for finishing I was just happy to rest my wrists. I’ll be there with you
Confession….I was cracking up the entire time I was reading this post, so I felt a sense of relief when you received a new mug. 🙂 This was great! Good luck to you! I’m a big NaNoWriMo fan.
Thanks, Jill. Will you be participating? If so, Look for Doris Rose MacBean!
Yes, I’m definitely participating! I’m Jill in Charlotte. I’m not sure how much time I’ll have to get on the NaNo site with a full-time job and also trying to keep up with some blog posts, but I’ll look for you. 🙂
Great! let’s have some fun.