NaNoWriMo Newbie Notes, Week 1

[Going to try and make up for lost time tonight. Dedicating at least 5 hours to writing today! Woohoo! TGIF!]

My Notes: 

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? What are your notes? Please share!

(Pre)Mean Girls: Cliques in Pre-K

The cutest thing I've ever seen...well, one of the cutest things, anyway... is the social extravaganza when I drop my daughter off at preschool. All the little girls run up and give big hugs to the latest student arriving...some of them, anyway.

How would you like to be the girl that is greeted by four or five others with arms opened wide and hearing your name squealed by tiny voices all around?

And how would you like to be the little girl, standing beside her daddy who nobody even gave a second glance to?

This is the seed of drama being planted by preschoolers, before the mean-girl scenarios truly bloom.

And my daughter is in the middle of it.

I didn't notice it really, until today. I mean they have been in school for two months now...and this has been the common greeting method, for SOME of the girls in the over-abundant, girl-dominating class. Maybe it's obvious to me now because I am dealing with middle school drama with my oldest, or maybe it's because I am constantly feeling torn between being an extrovert and chatting away, and reverting to my introvert tendencies to be an "observer".

Regardless, today it struck me as almost disturbing. My little girl was part of the "haves", and the others were the "have nots". Haves being those who "have" the "in" with the girls in the class, and those who "have not" so impressed themselves as acceptable friends.

Hate to be a gossip, but I even saw one girl go up to a "have not" and declare she could not play with them...RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE CHILD'S MOM. UGH.

So, I summoned my daughter over as we waited for her teacher to arrive, and whispered, "You should greet all the girls in your class. Be kind to everyone."

And when I pointed to one who missed the welcoming party, my little girl suddenly became shy and whiney and then ran up to the "haves".

Double ugh!

All I can do is keep reminding her. Keep telling her that kindness is one of the most important things. And explain exactly what kindness is...and that it isn't on special reserve for certain people.

Cliques start early don't they? They are part of human nature, I suppose. But that's no excuse for ignoring the chances to cross those invisible lines. And like I wrote about adult cliques in a post geared toward adulthood it still remains true:  

"Even if it’s unintentional, even if it’s “normal”, clique-ing is an inevitable force to be reckoned with…or to stand against and try and strengthen your heart for the blast."

Gotta start early in making those hearts good and strong.

My NaNoWriMo Setting...and Inspiration!

Come over to The Writer's Alley and check out my latest project:

 16th Century England Meets Small Town, USA

Fictitious Friday GiveAway Winner & My Newest Work

I have had so much fun sharing a bit of intrigue about my book, Lady Jane Lives. Thank you so much for all who participated in the Fictitious Friday series!

All my time in the 16th century has spurred on a whole new idea for my first ever NaNoWriMo project! It's actually a contemporary with historic flare! Come over to The Writer's Alley tomorrow to get a taste for the place(s) that inspired this new story!

Ok, no more waiting...

Thank you so much for participating Deane! I will send you a Starbucks gift card and the great book, Lady In Waiting by Susan Meissner very soon!

Stay tuned for my next Friday series....

Notes from A NaNoWriMo Newbie

See you soon!

Happy All Saints Day!

I once had a gal dismiss All Saints Day as an alternative to Halloween because, she claimed, "It didn't work (to take the focus off the evil that Halloween celebrates)."

But you know what?

I don't agree with her.

I have been able to share this holiday's meaning with my children since they were little, and they know the difference of good vs. evil. This day is just another illustration of redemption, love, and all people good!

Later, I will announce the winner of Fictitious Fridays...AND....kickoff my own NaNoWriMo journey!! Woohoo!

Happy All Saints Day! For a quick overview of this day, click here