Category: NaNoWriMo

How Does This Writing Thing Work Again?

As I gear up for NaNoWriMo, there’s this small pit of dread somewhere between the back of my throat and my stomach. (What can I say, it moves.)

But. I’ve had this pit of dread before.

Sure, I’ve drafted a handful of manuscripts, I’ve even polished one or two. Yet, every time I gear up for NaNoWriMo, I end up with this familiar dread:

Maybe… I can’t write, anymore.

Writing Rituals To Try When You Can’t Get Started

Have you ever wanted to sit down and write, but your focus was shot and you just kept dithering instead?

One shortcut many writers have found that works for them is the use of writing rituals. Nearly all of us have them, but sometimes what we’ve been doing stops working or we think we’ve moved past them, and need to revisit them.

How To Save a Fizzled First Draft

Last year, I ‘won’ NaNoWriMo, but my story had veered off course. I tried to push through to an ending, but by the end of March, it was so far off from where I wanted it to be, I knew I was fighting a losing battle.

Now, not all stories that go off course are wrong. Sometimes the story takes the lead and brings you to better things than you ever expected.

But, for me? This wasn’t the story I wanted to tell.

So, I set it aside, polished some rough drafted short stories, beta-read for some friends, and read a lot of books. I gave my story breathing room to percolate in my head and I waited til now to pull this technique out of my toolbox.

You Don’t Have To Write Alone: NaNoWriMo, PitchWars, AuthorTube, and More

The stereotype of the writer is the heavy drinking — or maybe tea-drinking loner with dozens of cats for company. With a feel that truly great art — great writing — only comes from pain.

Well? I know that it depends on what you like to write, and what you like to read, and what brought you to where you are today. However, that stereotypical writer life doesn’t sound very healthy to me.

Be you an introvert, an extrovert, or something in-between, most of us thrive in supportive environments, that push us to achieve something greater.

In this day and age of the internet, supportive writing communities can be found everywhere.