Writing is a Process

This morning as I was getting to work I was beating myself up for not having written a new blog in the last few weeks. The reason being that I have been unusually busy. You would think that would give me more things to write about but oddly enough, it doesn't. I have been concentrating on finishing up this month's writing challenge, preparing for next month's, going to various children's school functions, doctor's appointments, and being laid up with the odd migraine. Boo.

This month's horror short story is going very well, if I do say so myself. I chose a theme and I kind of just ran with it. I'm not entirely sure it will live up to the theme that The Flexible Persona has laid out, but I am happy with my writing and, to me, my horror story deals with everyday life. Plus, I am writing every day and that was the point of creating Writing 12 in 12. 

Chilling Tales for Nights, where my last horror story made it to the voting phase (thanks again to those that voted), is hosting a flash fiction horror writing contest. Stories of 1,000 words or less, based on one of the photo prompts, are due by October 30. I do love my Flash Fiction... Visit the site for more information.

I made the decision today to enlist some help with my projects. In November I will be participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and most of my time will be spent trying to write a 50,000 word rough draft of my first novel in 30 days. But that doesn't mean that I have to totally shelve all my other projects. I have another story I have been working since last year's NaNoWriMo (no I was not successful last year). I have enlisted the help of a research assistant, AKA my Mom, to help me answer some questions about history, real historical people, folk lore and geography so I can write a convincing historical fiction about our local area. 

So my question to all my writers today is, what kind of outside help have you enlisted when doing research for your writing? I'm just starting out and I have no shame. So I have totally sucked my mom into my world. Right, mom?

Leave your comments below. I look forward to hearing from you.