Why You Should Embrace Ink on Your Fingers: Camp NaNoWriMo Days 24 & 25

Camp NaNoWriMo Days 24 & 25!

One of my crafts on a whim during quarantine was creating a mini copy of my young adult book, One Hundred Words. So of course I had to do a photo op!

As you can see from today’s haiku, my writer dead giveaway is finding near-constant ink on my fingers. Not usually like in the photo, but still. Somehow, even when I work on a project using mostly my laptop, I still manage to walk around with ink stains, and I’m proud of it.

Do you have a writer dead giveaway? A laptop where the letters on the keys are worn off? A desk chair with your imprint in the cushion?

I’ve learned through experience that you can’t be a writer if you don’t write, and write regularly. I think the most important thing you can do for your writing is to create a routine. I haven’t been able to keep up a long-term consistent routine since working on One Hundred Words. This month, I’ve done more thinking about writing than writing itself. Routines are easy to plan, but hard to maintain, so I’m still trying to learn how to do that, even after years. But if I find ink on my fingers today, and then tomorrow, and then the next day, I’ll know I’m heading in the right direction.

Today’s haiku:

Ink on my fingers
Tells the story of late hours
Worlds that stay with me

Things to Do With a Really Broken Book: Camp NaNoWriMo Day 22

Camp NaNoWriMo Day 22!

After working for years in a library, I’m no longer surprised by how much damage a library book can rack up. I’ve seen it all – melted gummy bears, pages that became a puppy chew toy, a soft taco used as a bookmark. But the life of a book doesn’t have to be over once the volume is damaged.

Things you can do with a ripped-up book:

  • Use the pages to make some origami roses. Who knows, they could even become centerpieces at the next book-themed wedding!
  • Try your hand at some DIY paper mache. You know you’ve always wanted to try.
  • Shred it up and use it in lieu of tissues paper in gift bags for all your book nerd friends.
  • Make one of those fanned-out book pumpkins you see online. Really not as hard as they look, and hey, this Halloween your jack-o’-lantern could last forever.
  • Or, if you’re like me, use the random torn pages for some pretty photo ops!

With more time spent at home over the past few months, I’m trying to find ways to stay creative. Any unusual uses for book pages that I’ve missed?

Today’s haiku:

Found you in the wind
The moment after floating...
Sentences set free