Last year, not only did I participate in National Novel Writing Month, but I also successfully completed my challenge with days to spare. I hated the novel I wrote in the end, but enjoyed the experience, and learned a lot along the way. The best habit I picked up that month was to write without editing until I was finished. It’s too easy to be paralysed by perfection when you’re an author who nit-picks at yourself over word choices.
I was really looking forward to participating this year, but alas, that’s not an option. This November, I want to focus on getting the print version of The Moreau Witches ready, which means suspending any serious commitment to fiction writing for just a little while longer. To add to this, I will be travelling for almost half the month of November and would rather not spend my trips agonising over whether or not I can make it to 50,000 words in just 30 days.
Now that I have a better idea of how the publishing process works, hopefully next year I can organize my schedule better so that I’m free to participate in November. I plan to make Halloween my annual publishing date going forward, and next year, it’s a vampire novel with characters of colour that will be the fiction highlight of my blog. But, more on that some other time. For now, it’s the witches turn to enjoy the spotlight.
To everyone participating in NaNoWriMo 2018, I wish you all the best. Shadow and I will be cheering you all on from the sidelines. May you reach the finish line truly victorious!
Alexis Chateau
Activist. Writer. Explorer.
That’s really cool that your finished your novel. I did NaNoWrimo last year but lost my confidence halfway through. I think I’m going to try doing what you say and just write without editing. Hopefully I can make it to the finish line like you did this year.
Thank you!
NaNoWriMo doesn’t ask you to write an amazing novel. It asks you to write 50,000 words. That’s all you need to do. Forget the editing. Plenty of time for that when it’s all over. 😄
Good luck!
I am trying it for the first time this year. Have fun traveling and working on getting your book ready.
Thank you! How’s it coming along so far? You’re 3 days in!
It’s going well. I’m a pantser writer so the words just keep coming and they’re weaving their way into a story. 6,034 words so far. Thanks for asking!
You’re making good progress! I’m definitely a planner.
I’m a planner in other aspects of my life but not in my writing. I have to go back and add some structure so you are way ahead of me in that respect!
I’m planner in all aspects of myself. Many people think I’m spontaneous, but almost everything I do, no matter how sudden it seems, was premeditated. 😂
All in good time. 👍
There is nothing like experience. May the muses inspire you and guide you for your next writing adventure. 👍
Thank you, Fatima! The next one is a vampire novel. I’m about a quarter of the way through with it already but haven’t touched it in months. Had to focus on the witches. 🙂
As a serial WriMoer – this will be my fifth consecutive attempt – I thank you for your wishes. I love the challenge of the month. Once again, all I have to start with is a working title (changed once already) and a tentative cover mock-up (ditto).
Aw man, I really wish I could do it this year. Sounds like you have your own system in place! Have you ever finished the challenge/ won before? You said “fifth consecutive attempt” so I got curious!
I’m happy to say that I have four winners’ certificates. The challenge I set myself is to send my 50000 words as soon as winning opens, then continue until the book reaches its conclusion. Two of the books I have serialised on my site. This year’s effort will start in February, when the current Sunday serialisation ends.
That’s amazing! I only participated last year. Hopefully next year I’ll be better organized. I’m sure the publishing process will be over in time for me to do it in 2019.
Keep me updated on your progress! Are you on Twitter?
You’re very kind.
I am on twitter (@keithchanning), though not very active. https://about.me/keithchanning will tell you all about me.
Found and followed you! The NaNoWriMo community on Twitter is very active in November. You should check out their hash tags. 🙃
This is great!! Looking forward to your novel!!
Thanks Elixir! You can purchase the eBook version, here: https://alexischateau.com/product-category/novels/ 🙂