NaNoWriMo Tips + Fun Facts about my NaNo2018 Novel

It’s that time of year. Halloween is in the past, pumpkins are out, temperatures are dropping, people are hopefully getting their pumpkin-spice-chai-lattes from somewhere other than Starbucks. And writers around the world are halfway through the event in which they challenge themselves to write an entire novel in 30 days.

For many of us, NaNoWriMo is an exciting, challenging time of year, and for good reason. Yet we often dread it too, because what if we didn’t prepare enough? What if we fail to write 1667 words per day? What if we encounter writer’s block, which is a myth but is still apparently a thing? Let me say this: Even if you haven’t prepared at all, winning NaNoWriMo iS POSSIBLE! As I write this post, I am behind on my word count (hooray for productive procrastination). The point is, failing NaNoWriMo can and does happen. It happened to me last year because even though I knew my novel (Netherworld) inside and out, I simply wasn’t committed or motivated or excited to follow through the whole month. (Which is why I’m making up this year.)

For those of you who are struggling with NaNoWriMo right now––and even for those of you are way ahead and are doing just fine (KEEP IT UP!!)––I have some tips that might give you some good ideas about how to persevere through NaNo without giving into the stress. I’ll also be sharing a little bit about my NaNo novel Fiction’s Lie just for kicks!

Fiction’s Lie: Meet the Characters

Last week I posted the synopsis reveal of Fiction’s Lie as well as random fun facts about my soon-to-be-published novel. So, to continue my series of marketing posts, here’s some fun information on my lovely people from Fiction’s Lie. I love my Fiction’s Lie people so much, I think this may just be my favorite post to write in the marketing series.

January’s WIPjoy: Snippets & a Sneak Peak of Fiction’s Lie

Look up the hashtag #WIPjoy. It was put together by Bethany Jennings, who’s not only a fantasy writer, but also a Christian and homeschool mom, a lovely person who has inspired me in many different ways. (Check out her blog.) Basically, WIPjoy is answering questions about your WIP, one question per day of a designated month, and it happens about three times a year. There was just recently one in January (which I stopped 1/4 of the way through because I would rather answer them all in a blog post) and the one before that was in September.

Write Like Your Characters Really Exist

My NaNoWriMo story (which is going unexpectedly well, thanks for asking) is about a writer who ditches a novel he has been working on for several years. His characters approach him in reality with the purpose of encouraging to finish his novel in order to complete their story. Because without their story, the characters, who apparently really do exist, will be forgotten and eventually die.

In my novel, the universe simply can’t handle souls with no story. Thank goodness we have one.

Book Review: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

I have a beautiful story to tell you about. If you have not yet had the chance to read it, however, this review contains spoilers. Be forewarned and continue reading at your own risk. 

This innkeeper’s name is Kote. No one else knows, but Kote is really Kvothe, among many other titles that were awarded him for his heroics, and he deserves each and every of those names. No one knows, in fact, until a scribe shows up at Kvothe’s inn and prompts the innkeeper to tell him the real story from the hero’s own lips. The true story of how Kvothe studied magic, killed dragons, chased demons, played music that made others cry, saved a whole village, and survived poverty as an orphan whose parents were killed by the Chandrian … and revenge against the Chandrian is Kvothe’s most important motive.

Writing Tips for NaNoWriMo

*sings* It’s the most craziest tiiiiime— of the year.

You say it’s too early to be singing parodies of Christmas songs, but the Santa Claus decor has been out for a while. I’ll sing all I want.

Book Review of Fall From Grace by J. Edward Ritchie

About a month ago, the indie author J. Edward Ritchie contacted me via Twitter, said he enjoyed my blog, and asked me to review his debut epic fantasy novel that got published in 2014, Fall From Grace. I pounced on the opportunity (I do love reading and reviewing indie published boks) and bought the paperback.

The Six Question Character Challenge: A Sneak Peak at Netherworld’s Characters

A little while ago, I was tagged by Jeneca, over at the blog Jeneca Writes, with the Six Question Character Challenge. I gladly welcomed the excuse to obsess over my people from my WIP novel, so many thanks to Jeneca. (Go follow her blog, by the way. You know you want to and for good reason.)

Background picture via @nicholasbruno Instagram