Headstones, creativity, and National Novel Writing Month

Last updated on: November 2, 2016 at 6:12 pm by Joanne Brokaw

Headstones, creativity, and National Novel Writing Month 2016-11-02T18:12:46-04:00 Joanne Brokaw

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

marked 2016-11-01 Mt Hope fall 196 (2)

Mt Hope Cemetery, November 1, 2016 (c) Joanne Brokaw

It’s November, and for writers that means National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, when writers set a goal to write1,500 words a day and at the end of the month hopefully have a very rough draft of a novel.

I don’t write fiction, but I’m taking the month to set my own writing goals and hopefully make headway on a nonfiction book I’ve been working on for a while. It was supposed to be done months ago, but despite the mountain of research I’d already done, I seriously underestimated the amount of research I’d still need to do to finish the book.

Fortunately, my amazing publisher was willing to work with me, and we’ve taken a deadline off the table while I’m spending months pulling together all of these notes and files and slips of paper scribbled with cryptic dates and facts. The book is here, for the most part, but it’s like putting together a puzzle that has four million pieces…with pictures printed on both sides.

But oh, so much fun! With more than 350,000 permanent residents buried over 196 acres at historic Mt. Hope Cemetery, I’m constantly stumbling upon fascinating stories of both famous and everyday people.

As I spend the month of November writing – not researching; I’ll get sidetracked by research, and interment records, and interesting epitaphs, and newspaper clippings – I’ve started sharing photos on my Facebook page for readers and friends to use as creative prompts. And I wanted to invite you to play along at home, too!

Head over to my Facebook page to see that day’s photo; if it inspires you creatively, let me know! A painting, a poem, a story? I’ll also periodically share what I’ve been working on.

The photo you see today is of Mt. Hope Cemetery, taken while I was on a walk earlier this week. The foliage was – and still is – glorious, the temperature in the high 60s, and the critters scampering like mad to prepare for the coming winter. This was at the end of almost three hours walking through the cemetery. It was taken in the far back section, where people are buried in rows of single graves, as opposed to family plots. It’s secluded, which is why people often come here to let their dogs run off leash (in violation of the city’s leash laws; but I digress).

If you’re looking for a moment of solitude in this hectic election season, head to your local cemetery and take a walk. Trust me, it’ll put your life – and the craziness blasting across the headlines – into perspective.

Previous Post

September 6, 2016

Confessions of an office (and school) supply addict

Next Post

November 4, 2016 Election 2016: What would Susan B. Anthony do?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Animal behavior Animal health Animal history Animal rescue Animal research Animals and entertainment Animals and fashion Animals and food Animals and military Animals and science Animals and the law Animals in the news Be Nice Project Bears Bees Bible verses Birds Books cats Celebrities Christianity Circus Critters Dogs Elephants Farm animals Featured Shelter Pet Guest blogger Holidays Humor Interviews Movies Music National News Nature Ocean mammals Paganism Politics Quotes Reader photos Recalls Reviews Science Space Supernatural Technology Television Uncategorized Uncategorized video Wildlife Zoo

Select a Month November 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 November 2015 May 2015 October 2014 September 2014 July 2014 May 2014 April 2014 January 2014 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 July 2011 June 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

According to James, what happens when sin is full-grown?

Select your answer to see how you score.

It destroys faith It hardens the heart It separates from God It gives birth to death