oh that's is SO WONDERFUL Elanor, I'm so so glad, congratulations

My novel is coming out well, I am very impatient to get to the French Revolution, but that only comes in book two, book one is about things that happen before the French Revolution, and it's a little boring and a bit sad, so I'm not enjoying it so much but it must get written, or else book two won't make any sense
I still need a name for the daughter of one of the characters, and I'm having a hard time choosing a name

It's quite surreal to have your work in your hands in paper isn't it? It took me a while to really process that I was actually published. It felt like a dream I didn't want to end. But somewhere between 130-150 copies sold later, it still feels somewhat surreal. That is pretty awesome. Congradulations on completing NANO and good luck on your continued works.

Congrats, Elanor! Do share pics.

On a similar note, I just sent my NaNo novel from last year off for review for Createspace. That book is such a monstrous mess that I'm not expecting a whole lot out of it. The cover is particularly uninspired. But still, I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to have my book printed, however bad it may be, so I look forward to when it will arrive! This will be my third NaNo that I've had printed through CreateSpace. My first one was pretty much an epic failure, but my second one came out so beautifully. You can see pics here: viewtopic.php?p=81708#p81708

May I ask what stargazing observations you enjoy finding???

Sorry I was ambiguous. I meant that I like to keep a record of my own personal stargazing sessions - when I just step out into the yard for a quick view of the International Space Station, or enjoy an hours-long time under a mountain starlit sky. Generally these are fairly dry reading, but the log sometimes functions as a journal as well. It makes it more interesting to read.

An example can be found in this post, in which a routine ISS observation became something more when 2 police cars stopped by to see what I was doing.

Congrats on getting your NaNo book, Elanor! I've thought about getting the copy of my own NaNo, but the formatting and such seems a little daunting at first blush.

a routine ISS observation became something more when 2 police cars stopped by to see what I was doing.

Too funny, Stargazer! Great story.

I saw that news article about the sunspots, by the way. Interesting. And yeah, know what you mean about sunspots and interrupted electronic communication. I think someone in our family had some cell phone complications from sunspots a while back. Minor...but not fun to correct.

I was wondering if you were one of those really informed types with telescope in hand, tapping into those amateur hobbyist networks documenting new discoveries...do you know what I mean???...I forgot the name of the group.

Jacqi, perhaps you're thinking of sites like Zooniverse in which people at home can assist in research. (Probably the oldest such project is the American Association of Variable Star Observers, which is celebrating its centennial this year).

To answer your question, though I like to keep up to date on what's going on in astronomy, I'm not involved in any of these projects...at the moment. That's subject to change.

But back on topic, I do occasionally incorporate prose descriptions of astronomical events into my writing. My 2009 NaNo story, for example, has the main character and his oldest daughter observing their first total solar eclipse. Most of the descriptions of what they see, and how they react to the beauty above, is adapted from my own experience. I figure that I'm writing for my own enjoyment, so including this sort of thing is all right. [/ramble]

And that gives me some ideas of stuff for this year's NaNo...some other rather obscure sky event (like a bright comet or nova) for the family to enjoy.

I'd be interested to try NaNo...the longest story I've ever written was 19,400 words or something like that...but I'd like to give this a try. I seems to have a problem with excess-editing - I write half a chapter, edit, edit, edit until it's all gone, write another half chapterm edit, edit, edit until there's one sentance left, etc. I have endless versions of different chapters that I don't like and cut out and make new ones and cut them out, etc. I think it'll be good to try this to loosen up my writing habits.

Thank you, everyone, for the congratulations! Oh yeah, I should take pictures, shouldn't I, Gymie? The pictures from yours are stunning; they look really, really professional!! Mine is nothing like it . . But I do love it. I have a LOT of editing to do, so I'm going to do that, and get at least two more copies. One to sit and look purty on my bookshelf, for ONLY me to read, and one to let my family and one friend read.

24 hours. Forgive the horrible quality of the picture. My novel really looks a lot better. Maybe someday I'll take good pictures.

Oooh, nice! I love the cover. I've always had a hard time finding appropriate photos for my covers; I don't know why.

Speaking of which, I ordered my proof copy a few days ago and it should be here soon. I'm a little scared to see what the cover is going to look like; I slapped it together really quickly and it doesn't fit the book's theme at all. I only hope that it looks cool.

Wow Elanor, that's Awesome!!! Really like the cover!
I bet it feels really good to hold your story in your hands!!! I'm so happy for you!
It makes me want to finish my story.
If you don't mind me asking, do they let you add your own illustrations to your story?

Thanks, Gymie! I hope you're completely pleased with your proof copy; isn't it exciting?!
Thanks so much, 7chronicles; I appreciate it!! It is wonderful to hold my book. Good luck on your writing! And yes, you can add illustrations on CreateSpace; I have no idea how, but a friend of mine did. I think it's a really nice touch.

Thanks Elanor!
And speaking of illustrations I have a question.
My book is probably aimed more at teen to adult, is it a bad idea to illustrate my book?
I Love to see pictures in books, but I'm not sure if everyone else would feel the same way.

I personally think illustrations are a really cool addition to a book; they have to be good, of course, but if so, they're really nice. I don't think they have to be only in books aimed at children, but some might consider it unprofessional . . Well, IMO, go for it, but others may disagree.

Thanks Elanor!
And speaking of illustrations I have a question.
My book is probably aimed more at teen to adult, is it a bad idea to illustrate my book?
I Love to see pictures in books, but I'm not sure if everyone else would feel the same way.

I'd have to say don't. If a book has illustrations it's generally considered a children's book, even though some adults like pictures.

For examples, with the Narnia books, there are the "kid's versions" and the "adult versions" which can both be found in stores. The two versions are exactly the same, except for one fact: the adult versions don't have the illustrations.

~Riella