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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Winking, Blinking, Nod(ing): A 2020 NaNoWriMo Parody

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Every year on the last day of October, I write a new parody for NaNoWriMo--The Raven, Trees, and even a song made it. Here's a 2020 NaNoWriMo Parody! via @chautonahavig

It happens every year… the annual NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) parody. I’ve done a few of these, of course!

  • The Night before Nano (A “T‘was the Night Before Christmas” parody)
  • The Raven (as in Poe’s, of course)
  • Tease (as in Joyce Kilmer’s “Trees”)
  • Till November (A “My Grandfather’s Clock” parody)
  • Goin’ on a Book Hunt (Going on a Bear Hunt parody)

With everything that went on last year, I didn’t even remember if I did a parody.  Guess what?  A bit of searching proved I did.  YAY. Still, this is one of the things I love most about October 31st.  While much of America dons costumes and goes in search of chocolate treasure, I order Chinese food and write parodies!  WOOT!

This year’s isn’t the greatest, but then none of them are really all that great, right?  It was fun, though, and I enjoyed it.  That’s what matters most to me.

2020 nanowrimo parody

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Winking, Blinking, Nod (ing): A 2020 NaNoWriMo Parody

Winking, Blinking, and Nod (ing)

Winking, blinking, she nods, one night
Awaiting the coming chime.
But then at midnight, the clock hands strike.
So slow the word count climbs.
“What are you writing? What tale will you tell?”
The left brain asked of the right.
“Of storms and destruction from sea swells
“And how they’ll inspire a fight.
“Bits of romance and faith will I write!”
Said the winking, blinking nod(er).

The left brain laughed and shook the head
As the right brain typed with great speed.
The story emerging through the night long
Kept her emotions keyed.
The seeds of romance rose up on waves
And crashed when the arguments flared.
“What’ll happen next? Will love be saved?
“Have they even a prayer?”
Asked the right of the left, despite the glare,
(of the) Winking, blinking nod(er).

All night long the words she wrote
Of islands with their warring hearts.
But at dawn, there came a sandman afloat
Tearing scribe and tale apart.
Although words still spun and swirled within—
A flight of fancy borne—
Weaving an age-old tale to resume again
Despite the writer’s scorn.
Left brain will war with right from dark until morn
(says the )Winking, blinking nod (er).

Winking and blinking are proofs of fatigue.
Nod (ing) makes writing so hard.
While the right and left brains remain in league
To turn the scribe into a bard (it’s hard).
So fingers fly while brain halves sing
Of wonderful stories to be,
And on the page, such beautiful things
Of sand, surf, and the stormy sea,
Form within the jumbled mind so sleepy:
And winking, blinking, nod (ing).

What am I writing this year?

Flipping HeartsWell, I’m excited to say that I have… get this.  A TITLE.  Flipping Hearts!  This is the third book in the Independence Islands Series and takes place on Hooper (Hopper to the locals) Island after a hurricane did some serious damage (not too bad but enough!  A TV show weasels their way into a contract to film there and Abel Crawforth’s son is in hot water–as is the girl he THINKS hoodwinked him into this. OOPS!

I hope you’re as eager to meet Brooks and the whole film crew headed to Hopper Island in July! Meanwhile, my next book in the series, Bookers on the Rocks, releases on January 26th!

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Filed Under: Short Stories Tagged With: NaNoWriMo

Previous Post: « Heroes Are Underrated, but Not in This Delightful Novel
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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 573: A Chat with Cheryl Weber
byChautona Havig

I feel like Christian fantasy is really exploding. So when I read about Cheryl Weber’s Never Forsaken, I knew I’d have to read it. Listen in as we chat about the world, the faith, and the story.

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Never Forsaken by Cheryl Weber

Giant snake gods. Worshippers of sensuality. A jealous rebel. A failing king.

A courageous, young prince who struggles to uphold truth and justice.

Caught in the middle, one young woman fights for her future and the very destiny of her soul.

Ariel Summerfield was a girl when tragic loss, followed by a devastating betrayal, broke her heart and robbed her and her family of wealth and prestige. Ten years later, she is still struggling to hold them all together.

Can what was lost be restored? Will she ever be free to pursue her dreams?

But those with vile intentions for Ariel lay in wait. And one terrible day, she finds herself captive to a fate she never would have chosen. Will she yield to the voice that promises victory over her enemies but leads to the ultimate destruction of body and soul?

Or will she entrust her life and dreams to the all-powerful One who cherishes her like no other and can redeem the shattered remnants of her life? Even when all seems lost.

Learn more on Cheryl’s WEBSITE and follow on GoodReads.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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  • and more!
Episode 573: A Chat with Cheryl Weber
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