Yesterday was the first of November, and I got off to a slow start on my 50,000 words in celebration of National Novel Writing Month. Last year was my first. I won, completing my goal by November 30th. I have a lot to live up to this year.

Recently I returned from a week-long trip into the Four Corners area of the southwestern US. It was natural for me to plan my new novel’s setting in this part of the country. Now I am ready to make it happen.

Here is my picture of the day to put me in a southwestern state of mind. It is a Pinon pine tree with open, seed-bearing cones, taken in the Four Corners area of Southwestern Colorado.