Nanowrimo -- stands for National Novel Writing Month. Yep, you read it right. You write a novel in a month. Granted it's not easy, but if you've been putting off that dream for a while because honestly writing a novel is NEVER easy then you might want to take the plunge.

Here's a couple of websites you might check out: http://www.routinesforwriters.com/ and www.nanowrimo.com

I'm actually starting to revise a very rough manuscript at the moment but I'm going to use November to write a screenplay which is something I've always wanted to do.

So if you've been putting off something you want to write, jump in with me. Let's keep tabs together! Anybody game?

I have a winner for the contest I've been running! Drum roll please!!!

Janice Olson!

Yea, Janice! Send me your snailmail address and I'll pop it in the mail to you.

Blessings,

Leanna

my house. It's definitely beginning to feel like a barnyard.

My parents have a dog name Colonel. He's a mutt, probably part chow and part golden retriever. He's 14 years old and getting feeble. He's very sweet but a bit skittish. Several years ago, across the highway from my parents' ranch they were doing seismic testing. It sounded like my parents were being bombed. And Colonel decided they were being bombed. Ever since, when a storm comes up, he trembles and shakes, his teeth chattering, and does serious destruction around the house unless crated. Well, Colonel has been visiting my house this week while my parents went out of town. Of course, we already have two dogs and a cat. Our dogs have really enjoyed having Colonel. They all know each other. But my cat, Miracle ... she has not been a very nice hostess. She is only six pounds and is also declawed but she doesn't hesitate to take on this 50 lb canine. She has cornered him a couple of times, and Colonel has cowered. Pretty pathetic. Anyway, it's been an interesting week, juggling food bowls, opening and closing the back door a thousand times to accomodate all the potty schedules, dispensing treats and medicines. But all in all, we've enjoyed having Colonel with us. But every time we leave the house for school or the many kids' activities, I have to crate Colonel because we just don't completely trust him. And we don't want any serious damage done to the house. When I grab his halter, he falls over like he's dead and sticks his feet straight up in the air. So I'm learning to outsmart him by leading him with a treat. Since an old dog can't be taught new tricks, I'm having to teach myself. But I've been thinking more and more about that puppy craving I have. Hmmm... puppies don't sleep the way old dogs do.

I've been running a contest to celebrate Lookin’ Back, Texas coming out. Only 3 days remaining! You have the chance to win a $50 prepaid card that could be used at most grocery stores, book stores or even gas stations! (Man, we could all use a little relief in that area, couldn’t we?) Here’s the lowdown:

For bloggers: Post information on your blog about Lookin’ Back, Texas. I can email you the cover. Below you’ll find a catchy blurb. You can even link to the trailer on youtube.com.

For non-bloggers (and those of you wondering what a blog is): Send an email to ten friends about Lookin’ Back, Texas. You can use the blurb below and also refer them to my website (www.leannaellis.com).

Then let me know (leanna@leannaellis.com) you’ve posted the information on your blog or sent out 10 emails and I’ll put your name in a drawing for the possibility to win a $50 prepaid card. Please provide your snail mail address. The drawing will be held Oct. 24th (my birthday!). The winner will be notified via email.

If you want to enter more than once, that’s okay! Just send out 10 more emails. If your friends want to enter, that’s okay too! Odds of winning depend on the number of entries. No purchase is necessary. And buying my book won’t increase your odds of winning (but will give me a happy smile and you some enjoyment).

Lookin’ Back, Texas
by Leanna Ellis
September 2008
A devoted wife and mother must return to her hometown of Luckenbach, Texas to help her mother plan her father’s funeral. Trouble is – he isn’t dead! And neither are the secrets she buried there years ago.

Email me at leanna@leannaellis.com to let me know you’ve posted/emailed or if you want a .pdf file of the cover. Thanks so much!

A writer friend recently interviewed me about Lookin' Back, Texas which we brainstormed together years ago. Check it out: http://jenniferarcher.blogspot.com/

I remember a book when I was a kid about a cat getting tangled in a ball of yarn. Well, I think I've mentioned our wicked cat, Miracle, a few times here. She has calmed down and doesn't attack our llasa too much anymore. Too much. But lately, she's been attacking my daughter's knitting. The other day, she dragged the scarf and knitting needles, ball of yarn all out into the hallway and started crying wanting to play. This morning, I got back from taking the kids to school and sitting in the kitchen floor was the red ball of yarn. I followed the string all the way up the stairs to the scarf my daughter is knitting. So is it genetic that cats like yarn?

Wanted to let everyone know that I'll be speaking at my local ACFW writers group this weekend on my journey from category to single title. You can check my events information for more information if you're interested. Saturday afternoon from 2-4pm I'll be at the Borders in Plano, TX with a bunch of authors having a signing. Hope you'll join us. Sunday, a Readers' tea, call Buns and Roses, is in Richardson, TX. If you're interested in attending, you need a ticket first so check out the website for more information: http://www.bunsandrosestea.org/

Blessings all!

When I was a kid, we were on vacation, driving to Colorado. I was wearing these cool white jeans. I was maybe ten. So I thought I was cool anyway. We stopped at a burger joint to eat. One of the things I loved about Colorado was that you could get A&W root beer. We couldn't get it in Texas then. This was back in the dark ages. Anyhoo, the only way to eat French fries was with ketchup. The bottle on the table was pokey, so I slapped the bottom and ... you can guess what happened right? All over my white jeans.

Well, some days are like that. Yesterday was that way for me. I won't bother to give you the laundry list of things that went wrong but what I told my kids is this: it doesn't matter what happens in life because as Christians, we always have hope. Always. And my hope is that today will be ketchup free!

Tomorrow I'm meeting with a new critique group. I'm really excited about these three other women. But of course, I'm a little nervous too. It's always nerve-wracking to hand over your writing to someone and ask them to critique it. But overall, I'm really excited about it.

I've been in numerous critique groups since I started writing in 1991. Sometimes the groups work out. Sometimes not. Sometimes the writers become dear friends. Sometimes not. But one thing I've learned in all these years and in these many, many groups -- they are always changing. They're never stagnate. A critique group is like a living breathing organism.

So I'm excited about tomorrow. Excited to read these other writers work. Excited to see all of our writing grow. Excited to get to know them better. Excited to talk about writing.

How many of you belong to a critique group for your writing?