On this 15th day of National Novel Writing Month, I’m sending myself a pictorial bouquet of flowers. Why?

First, because I’ve met my goal of writing 22,500 words in 15 days!

Second, I’m celebrating the fact that I’ve been accepted as a visiting scholar at the St. Benedict Monastery Studium Program in St. Joseph, MN. I’ll be there for 5 days in the first half of December along with my writing teacher, mentor, and friend, author Sheila O’Connor, who recommended me for the program.

This writing retreat will provide a concentrated period of uninterrupted time, solitude, and spiritual reflection to start shaping the pages and pages of first-draft words into a solid second draft. As explained on the St. Benedict Monastery’s website, Studium places “special emphasis on the love of learning, honoring scholarship as sacred ministry.”

Special thanks as well to author Rosemary Ann Davis who also wrote a letter in support of my application and to my husband, who will “hold down the fort” while I”m gone.

Total word count today = 1455.

Fifteen days down, fifteen to go.

#NaNoWriMo18