Fall is writing season. Heat subsides and crisp air invigorates. The world becomes more colorful. A hot coffee more comforting.

Not to mention, the kids are back in school, both the little ones and the big ones. Routines return. You can refocus on organization. Time becomes more your own. No better time to plop down in front of the keyboard and get to work.

November, National Novel Writing Month, provides an opportunity to jumpstart a new project. NaNoWriMo urges us to delve deep, set big goals, and, hopefully, create something worthwhile.

So, I kicked off writing season by attending my first ever writing conference: The Pacific Northwest Writers Association annual conference. I got a lot out of it, despite missing many events due to scheduling conflicts. I gained major insights from various speakers and met writers of all different backgrounds, ages, and experience.

I commiserated with other new, hopeful authors at a pitch session. The excitement and support were heartwarming. I hope I returned the favor, encouraging other nervous amateurs. Remarkably, most left the session basking in positive feedback and the prospect of professionals showing interest in their work. Tackling the nerve-wracking reality of publicly presenting your ideas proved to be a success in itself.

I listened intently to the sage advice of seasoned authors. On embarking on a writing career, on tricks of the trade, strategic tidbits, and sanity savers.

Truly, writers are a special bunch. Notoriously introverted, strewn across the DoubleTree common areas, not one failed to open up when approached. All love and good vibes. I hope to make this an annual tradition.

This fall, I’m excited about The Contest, my first completed novel. I hope to debut it in the near future. I plan to complete my second novel, Lessons Learned, by the end of October. I will ideally have it edited in November.

As for NaNoWriMo, I am debating whether to complete The Outsider, the first novel in my St. Brigid’s series, or, instead, begin from scratch on a different installment in the series. I really like NaNoWriMo to be a start-from-scratch experience so I can see myself jumping ahead. I believe this would also help me fill out the St. Brigid’s world, ultimately benefitting the earlier installments. That would leave December open for finishing The Outsider. So much to do, so little time!

I hope fall treats everyone well. Enjoy warm drinks and spicy treats. To the writers, godspeed. To the readers, I can’t wait for you to revel in the fruits of writing season.