Ten Things I Learned in NaNoWriMo 2018

In honour of the letteredness of the event, I have resorted to letters in lieu of numbers. Here, therefore, are J things I learned during [Inter]National Novel Writing Month.

A. I can actually do it – even when I’m tired. Even when I’d rather curl up in bed with a book and/or fall asleep. It helps to set a smaller goal – say, 500 words – and promise myself I can stop after that. It gets the momentum going.

B. If I find myself extremely reluctant – practically unable to get to work, it’s a sign there’s something unresolved that needs fixing in the next scene. Much better to stop trying to write and instead focus on finding a fix.

Femme mecanicienne8
Continue & Comment

53,100

I did it 🙂

In fact, not only did I pass 50,000 words, I got to the end of the story. (And then realized I’d forgotten to put in the last bit which I’d been thinking of for months if not years, but hey, that’s what rewrites are for, right?)

So, do I get a cake with 53,100 candles?


Maybe better not. I’m still open to suggestions of celebrations, if anyone has any ideas. (I do have access to a headless effigy and a rotten egg, if that helps.)

In other exciting news, my first ever guest post! Jami Gold’s site is a mine of useful information for writers – and not only for romance writers, though that’s her own focus as an author.

Continue & Comment

The End is Nigh

Four days before the end of the month! Four days to reach the 50,000 word goal! As the deadline approaches, I realize I haven’t actually settled on anything as a celebration or reward for reaching the goal.

So your input is welcome: what’s a good way to celebrate writing 50,000 words in a month? What’s a good way to celebrate finishing a first draft? Given that they’re looking likely to be two separate events, how would you weight the two? All on one and none on the other? A little for each? Never mind celebrating, get back to work?

Bulldog with party-hatContinue & Comment