• NaNoWriMo2022
    Blog

    November means NaNoWriMo

    NaNoWriMo2022

    Anyone who has followed this blog a while knows that most Novembers I participate in National Novel Wrting Month or NaNoWriMo as it is commonly known. Here’s where you can find previous blog posts on the topic.

    I believe the first year I did it was 2006 – also known as a lifetime ago. At the time I remember how proud I was that I managed to write 50,000 words in a month. It’s still a staggering achievement, especially for people with busy families, little kids and a whole range of commitments.

    I write almost every day now and often have 50k months, so it isn’t quite as exciting for me as it once was, but I still love the idea of millions of people sitting at their desks getting creative. I love the thought of so many people putting their goal of writing a novel and their desire to create something front and centre in their lives. So many people live lives devoid of creativity and I like the way a month like NaNoWrimo motivates so many people to tap into that well.

    I’m not sure if I’ll actually win this year. I’m at just over 20,000 words on day 10, but today is my last day at my desk this month. Tomorrow I will take off on a wonderful adventure.

    I’m going to Vegas for a writing conference. I went to the same conference in 2018 and loved it. I was meant to go in 2019 but my father had been recently diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma – it was in his lungs and we weren’t sure how his prognosis would do. (I’m happy to say he is still with us thanks to immunotherapy – he’s one lucky guy!) And then i had a ticket for 2020 but our boarders were closed then and in 2021 so finally off I go!

    As well as the conference, I’m getting to meet up with a wide array of friends and family up and down the West Coast of the USA, which I think I may be even more excited about. Anyway, after all the complaining about not being able to see people I’m not missing out on time with them to write. But we shall see how we go.

    Anyway, if you’ve ever wanted to write a book, why not make a plan to do it during NaNoWriMo in 2023 and we can cheer each other along?

     

     

     

  • Blog

    It’s a week until NANOWRIMO 2020, let’s get ready!

    Nanowrimo 2020 badgeHey there,

    It’s almost time for NanoWrimo – National Novel Writing Month where people try to write a 50,000 word draft of a novel in a month. I’ve taken part at various times all the way back to 2011, I believe.

    In 2012, I did a series of posts about prepping that hold the test of time and they’re linked below. (I migrated my website a year ago from Weebly to WordPress and not every image made the journey, but the content is solid and worth a read).

    My life is so different now to then. I don’t have a young family to juggle and I have written a lot of books since. These days it’s not unusual for me to write 50,000 words several months a year but I love the participation and community of Nano and I love getting that final novel for the year done. December is crazy, we all know that and I tend to ease off on the writing in favour of Christmas lunches and drinks with friends.

    I still know a few things work for me:

    1. Get a big count early.

    I love writing a new book. LOVE IT! So the beginning is the easy part. To stay om track for NanNo you need to write 1667 words a day. I like to start with a few 3,00 even 5,000 word days and then I’m ahead and the pressure is off.

    1. Round up.

    Don’t stop at 1667  the recommended daily word count needed to reach your target. Aim to reach at least get to 2000 words a day. You’ll thank yourself mid-month.

    1. Sprints

    That’s where you set a timer for 20 minutes or 30 and just write. Three of those a day and I will make the 1667 easily.

    1. Plotting

    I don’t always plot my books. I’m a weirdo who sometimes just writes, sometimes plots an entire novel and sometimes gets to 15k and plots the rest. Heck, sometimes I make bullet points and just plot the next chapter. The bullet points mean I won’t start at the screen for an hour…I always have a scene I can write.

    1. Remember, it’s a draft.

    This is not what gets published, it’s your first draft, so it’s okay to write and leave things blank– add description later, check this character’s name/hair/eye colour, insert sex scene, research this bit and -MOVE ON. You can fill all that in later, but don’t let it stop you from continuing to write.

    1. Write something fun – especially in 2020.

    It’s going to be work regardless but don’t put yourself in a zone of misery before you begin. We all know this year has been and continues to be tough, so don’t set yourself up for misery and/or failure. Pick a story that will excite you and write that.

    So there’s some advice.…I do recommend you read the post below, especially if you’re a Nano newbie.

    Let me know if you’re signed up for this year in the comments.

    From the 2012 Archives

    Preparing for NaNoWriMo – Part 1 Plan the Writing

    https://moniquemcdonellauthor.com/2019/12/23/preparing-for-nanowrimo-part-1-plan-the-writing/

    NaNoWriMo – Planning your Life

    NaNoWriMo – Planning your Life

     

    How to survive NaNoWriMo – Part 3, Organise Your Writing Life

    How to survive NaNoWriMo – Part 3, Organise Your Writing Life

     

    NaNoWriMo Planning Series – Part 4 – Plan to care for Your Body

    https://moniquemcdonellauthor.com/2019/12/23/nanowrimo-planning-series-part-4-plan-to-care-for-your-body/

    My 2017 Advice

    Preparing for NaNoWriMo the 2017 edition

  • Blog

    Preparing for NaNoWriMo the 2017 edition

    10/21/2017

    NaNoWriMo 2017 Participant Badge

    Way back in 2012 I did a series of blog posts about how to best prepare for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

    NaNoWriMo, if you don’t know, is global online challenge where people commit to writing a 50,000 word novel in a month. According to their website I’ve succesded 5 out of the last 6 years so I guess I’ve learned a thing of two along the way.

    You can look at the tips I shared back then. I divided them up into weekly topics and I just reread them all and I stand by the advice I gave so take a look.(Heck I even created a meal plan for you!)

    They were:
    Part 1 – Plan Your Writing
    Part 2 – Plan Your Life for NaNoWriMo
    Part 3 – Plan the month of Writing – or tips to
    succeed.
    Part 4 – Plan to Care for your Body ( A Guest post from physiotherapist & author Terri Green)

    All these years later I know the key tips for my own success are:
    1. Get a lot of words down on day one – this year I launching a book, hosting an online book party, going to my writing group and lunch for a writing friend (I think we can all agree if I get my 2,000 words down I should be happy).

    2. Try and do at least 2,000 words a day so that you’re never behind and you have some words in the bank. I know for me Christmas celebrations seem to start in November so my social life gets nutty as the month moves along – it helps to be ahead.

    3. Let people know so then when you turn them down for something you can say “Remember I have a 50,000 word novel to write” and also I like to be accountable. I’m not a fan of public failure.

    4. Don’t fly blind – I’m not much of a plotter but even a few notes help. Write down even five or six scenes you think you want to include..and add to the list as you go. Cross one off and add one.

    5. Sprint. A writing sprint is where you set a timer for a set amount of time , for example 30 minutes, and you write. I find 30 minute 45 minute and 1 hour sprints work for me. With a couple of sprints I can make my daily word count.

    6. Don’t reinvent the wheel – this may not be true for others but the years I failed I switched to a cozy mystery and a women’s fiction novel. The slightly different styles of books were harder for me than chicklit and romance and I struggled.

    I know some people think this is a ridiculous exercise and no one can write a decent novel in a month. What I say to that is – who knows what someone else can achieve in a month? Who knows what they might create or what joy it might bring them? Who knows what they’ll learn about themselves, about their writing style or the lessons they’ll learn that they can take with them into 2018?

    It may not be for everyone but I love the challenge, the sense of achievement and the annual lesson on how much time I waste the rest of the year.

    My final advice is to have fun. Seriously – if it’s not fun you’ll quit. If you’re not enjoying it that will come through in your writing and that’s no good either.

    Have fun, get writing and let me know how you go.

  • Blog

    Getting ready for #NaNoWriMo2015

    10/19/2015

    Time to get ready for National Novel Writing Month
    Hearts AfireHearts Afire http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009V2UKWQ
    I woke up in the middle of the night last night and realised it was less than two weeks to November which means National Novel Writing Month #NaNoWriMo is just around the corner.

    I’ve written lots of blog posts about it over the years including a series on how to prep for the month that went from the practical – preparing your home and meals in advance and your health – to the more emotional aspects of story writing and stamina. Here is a link to the post I did last year which is very comprehensive – 2014 #NaNoWrimo blog post.

    I think this is my 7th time participating in #NaNoWriMo. Not all of the books have been published but Hearts Afire was my first book I wrote during National Novel Writing month and it remains one of my favourite novels I’ve written (and I think lots of readers agree).

    I haven’t quite decided what I’m writing in November – part of the cold sweats last night. I’m either writing a seventh book in my series that ties everything up in a neat bow, a novel from the series I write under a pen name or a chicklit novel set at my local beach. I have a feeling the last one will win out. It means I can take my laptop down to cafe’s and write and call it research. I’m kind of loving that idea right now.

    Also I think it might be a nice change to take a break from the characters who have occupied so much of my time the last couple of years. A working holiday if you will.

    I’m a pretty disciplined writer these days. Not in October I haven’t been but I’ve stuck pretty faithfully to my #1000wordsaday challenge this year but I really like the commaraderie of National Novel Writing Month. Also because Christmas arrives hot on it’s heels and life seems to lose any sense of rhythm in December and January I enjoy knowing I’ve accomplished something.

    So with the two weeks to go it’s time I followed some of my own advice:
    – pre-make some meals
    – decide on a story and come up with a plot (this one is key I think – all the frozen meals in the world won’t help without this)
    – tell the people in my life I’m doing #NaNoWriMo so they know where my free time is going
    – get ready to say no to a few things
    – set the DVR for any shows I want to watch

    So are you participating in National Novel Writing Month? If so what will you be writing?

    Comment

    Nya
    10/30/2015 04:16:24 pm

    Hi Monique, thank you for passing by!
    I’ve enjoyed reading through your NaNoWrimo prep too! Definitely good tips, this is my first time trying this challenge so it will be a real challenge for me. Good luck to you!

  • Blog

    #NaNoWriMo at the half way point and a song of encouragement on Musical Monday

    11/16/2014

    Monique McDonell Amazon Author Page ScreenshotA photo of my Amazon author page.

    So we’ve passed the half-way point in NaNoWriMo and I’ve crossed 40,000 words for the month today. I think this is my best result ever. I can’t remember as far back as my first time (I’m talking about NaNoWriMo people, keep it clean).

    Regardless that’s a pretty good result and I will own it, pat my self on the back and feel good.

    Last Thursday I had a stall at the local night markets and saw lots of people I knew and sold lots of books. I was reminded of how many people still read paperbacks and don’t use e-readers or tablets to read.

    The good news is my first FIVE novels are all available now as paperbacks from Amazon.

    Pop by my author page and purchase them from there. They’ll post the straight to you. If you are in Australia and want me to send you a copy just let me know.

    Here is a link to the Amazon Author Page also note in the picture above you can favorite it now to get regular updates about upcoming releases.

    Speaking of pictures I also had some new author photos taken last week, so look out for a slightly updates image and across all my platforms. I really hate having my photo taken that way. It feels weird and unnatural. I wonder if the Gen Y and Gen Z writers who have grown up in the selfie age are more natural under such pressure. Perhaps.

  • Blog

    Growing the #NaNoWriMo word count, ordering print copies and singing along on #MusicalMonday

    11/2/2014

    Crazy Busy Messy Work Space
    November already and that means NaNoWriMo is underway.

    Here’s a little update from me this far. As I type (4pm)my word count is 13, 038 words thus far. I managed 6,000 on Saturday, and just over 4,000 tomorrow. I feel I can probably manage a few more today so hopefully another 4,000 word day.

    That seems like a lot and it is. I don’t write like that normally. The truth is I didn’t have anything I had to do this weekend socially and so I didn’t make any plans. My husband was working and my daughter was recovering from exam week so she was fine with having a mellow time of it. That allowed me the luxury of indulging myself by doing not much besides writing.

    The weeks don’t work that way. I have work deadlines, social commitments, places to take the kid to and from. I like to get ahead when I can so that when reality hits hard I don’t fall too far behind.

    Take a look at that photo up there. That’s my writing space. We’re half way through repainting the inside of our very open plan house. So that means this week I’ll be shunted around in the chaos. Oh yes, I probably should help a little so that takes time. A very good incentive to get head, don’t you think?

    Alphabet Dating, A Fair Exchange and Building Attraction Paperbacks
    Aren’t these pretty? I have paperbacks of my first five stand alone novels. They’ll be live on Amazon any day. I’ll let you know. I also have a box on their way to me as next week I’m having a table with another author at the local Christmas night markets. I hope I sell loads.
    It is always hard to sell e-books at something like that. I like selling paperbacks and one feels very authorial signing copies but the truth is I don’t make any more profit this way. Still, I’m well aware, especially here in Australia, how many people still prefer a paperback.

    And now for musical Monday. Let me find a song to fit the mood of my current project.

  • Blog

    Preparing for NaNoWriMo this Musical Monday

    10/19/2014

    NaNoWriMo Participant 2014 BadgeAnother Monday…another blog post.

    So much for my regular blogging the rest of the week. I hang my blogging head in shame. I didn’t manage anything since last Monday.

    It’s ten days until NaNoWriMo begins and so that means it is time to get my butt in gear. That means I have ten days to finish a romance novel under a pen name to get off to some BETA readers and I need to finish the draft of Book 2 in the series I’m writing Book 3 during November.

    So that’s writing one book, editing one book and planning one book. That seems a little bit much for me. I generally do better with my mind focused on one thing, not several.

    Bad luck Monique. Or as I often say here in real life “suck it up, Princess.” In order to succeed in November I need to do these things in October. They’re not optional.

    One thing I have tried to do is squeeze in some social activities this month so that November is not too full. The truth is here in Australia, while we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving (although my little family does) November means end of year activities by the bucket-load. End of year lunches, dinners and catch-ups all happen in November. I’ve already got two Christmas lunches slotted in.

    Yep the big summer of fun that I so look forward to every year starts about mid-November, so I have to be judicious about what I commit to at the start of the month. I hope people understand but I’ve decided for once that it’s okay if they don’t. I’ve been rescheduled, postponed and cancelled for far flimsier reasons than “I’m writing a novel!”

    In book 2 in the Upper Crust Series Lucy goes to her old home town. Her old best friend Marissa is going to get her own book down the track…I think that will be book 4 in the series. I’m pretty sure Book 2 will be Cherie who featured quite heavily in the novella…unless I change my mind and Marissa is Book 3…see these are the sorts of decisions I have to make.

    This musical Monday I’m giving you one of my favourite small-town songs ever. It played out at the end of Northern Exposure (a show I loved and watched until it’s death knell) and I do actually own several of Iris deMent’s albums, as my husband met her through work, back in the day. This is a song that makes me cry every time. Love, loss and reminiscing and a little laughter…let’s hope I can capture all those things in my novel.

    If you have a treasured song about small time life I would love to hear about it. Happy Monday.

  • Blog

    Everything old is new again – or digging through my NaNoWriMo archives

    10/7/2014

    New Release Book Shelf in Book StoreSo it’s October now which means NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month is a matter of weeks away.

    If you don’t know what National Novel Writing Month is a simple explanation is that people around the world commit to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November.

    Here is the post I did last November which outlines my tips for surviving the month.
    http://www.moniquemcdonellauthor.com/blog/preparing-for-nanowrimo-the-2014-edition

    In 2012 I did a series of blog posts helping you to prepare for NaNoWriMo. If you haven’t read them they cover topics such as like plotting, meal preparation, eliminating distractions and even exercise.

    They were:
    Part 1 – Plan Your Writing
    Part 2 – Plan Your Life for NaNoWriMo
    Part 3 – Plan the month of Writing – or tips to
    succeed.
    Part 4 – Plan to Care for your Body ( A Guest post from physiotherapist & author Terri Green)

    I don’t think I have a whole lot new to say on the topic.

    Here are some reasons I love NaNoWriMo.
    1. Writing is a pretty solitary activity – by participating in this event that writers from all over the globe you feel less alone. It gives you a sense of belonging. In fact your city or town probably has write-ins, drinks and other get together’s for people participating so you can even meet people in real life. (Imagine!)

    2. It’s a really good way to bash out a first draft. You’d be surprised how many books on the shelves have been written this way. No one expects a perfect manuscript at the end of the month but an imperfect one gives you something to work with that is far more welcoming than a blank page.

    3. If you are already a writer NaNoWriMo shows you just how much time you squander in a normal month. That half hour you usually describe as “not enough time to write” has a new value. It reminds you that if you use your time wisely you can get more writing done.

    4. Participating also shows you that lots of your regular reasons for not writing are just excuses – I don’t have space (all of a sudden you’re writing on the train or at the beach) or time or you’re blocked (You just write on through that during NaNoWriMo).

    5. It can bolster your spirits. Some years are better than others. Sometimes November hits and you’re left asking yourself “What the heck did I achieve this year?” If you complete NaNoWriMo you can say “Hey I wrote a novel this year.” Lots of people say they will write a novel one day.

    Maybe this November is your one day.

     

    Comments

    Sarah
    10/6/2014 10:10:38 pm

    I participated last year for the first time and found the challenge much harder to accomplish than I thought I would…that said, I’m likely doing it again next month…it’s rewarding, and the social aspect of group writing through word sprints is highly motivating. Few events support the “I can do that” motto quite like NaNo.
    Reply
    Monique
    10/26/2014 07:32:52 am

    I agree Sarah. I think it takes away a lot of that feeling of isolation we get as writers and it makes you feel like you have people cheering you on.

    Jackie Bouchard
    10/8/2014 12:47:32 am

    Great post! I’m undecided for this year… if I can get some pre-work done then I think I’ll go for it. I did NANO once before a few years back – that messy off-on-many-tangents draft eventually became my 2nd novel “Rescue Me, Maybe”, so would like to do it this time and get a jump on novel #4!
    Reply
    Monique
    10/26/2014 07:34:24 am

    I hope you manage to do it Jackie. A messy first draft is always easier to work with than no draft at all. That’s how I look at it. I have a couple of NaNo novels that were not redeemable but others the flow was right and they’ve been published after much revision.

    Anne R. Allen
    10/26/2014 03:31:08 am

    Great tips and links, Monique. I’ve linked to it on my blog today!
    Reply
    Monique
    10/26/2014 07:34:49 am

    Thanks Anne 🙂

    Sandie
    10/29/2014 10:39:37 pm

    I’ve not done NaNo, but I do like your reasons 3 and 4. I’m excellent at making excuses. Good luck this year. Sandie (also on the Northern Beaches)
    Reply
    Monique
    10/30/2014 09:07:00 am

    Hey Sandie
    I think NaNo is a great way to shake off the bad habits and excuses and sometimes establish some new ones. I also like the write-ins with other authors. Berkelouw Dee Why would be an excellent spot for one (On the northern beaches).

    Julie Valerie @Julie_Valerie
    10/29/2014 11:53:28 pm

    I am so ready for NaNoWriMo this year. I can’t wait! Only problem – I’m moving my family of six into a new house on November 6th. Hhmm… think packing and unpacking a house will put a wrench in my plans? 🙂

    Thanks for these great links and tips. And thanks for linking this to the October Hump Day Blog Hop on my book blog. Perfect timing – as NaNoWriMo starts this Saturday. So exciting!
    Reply
    Monique
    10/30/2014 09:08:25 am

    I’m excited too…I usually have a bit more plot thought out than this time it will be fine.
    I think moving house is definitely going to make it harder…you may wish to escape into your writing to avoid the mayhem!! Thanks for having me on the Hump Day Blog Hop.

    Julie Valerie @Julie_Valerie
    10/30/2014 09:31:10 am

    I always look forward to your links on the hop. I greatly appreciate your participation each month. Wonder how our November will go? Wishing you a productive NaNoWriMo, my friend!
    Monique
    10/30/2014 09:44:53 am

    Thanks Julie…I suspect our November posts will be a blend of angst and enthusiasm.

  • Blog

    I finished (won) NaNoWriMo and other news for the festive season

    11/27/2013

    Verve Clicquot ChampagneWell I am very happy to say that I have completed my NaNoWriMo novel with a few days up my sleeves (not that I have sleeves as it’s kind of warm here in Sydney today).

    It’s been a busy month in my corner of the world and so I feel particularly pleased that I managed to reach this goal this year. One of the reasons I enjoy the process of NaNoWriMo so much is that it gives me a huge sense of accomplishment at the pointy difficult end of the year.

    (I didn’t really crack open the Veuve last night though I did have a wine or two but I have so many Christmas gatherings lined up that I’m not worried that I won’t get my fair share of champagne).

    So onwards, time to get back to the business of being a writer. Writers in the modern age have to balance their desire and love of writing with their need to market and promote. This is true for all writers not just indies. I’m sure many of those writers you see on panels at festivals, signing books in shops or being interviewed would in fact rather be at their desk escaping into their own made up world.

    As part of that promotion I have a couple of fun things happening in December.

    1. I have lots of lovely authors stopping by with holiday posts and doing guest blogs, so make sure you keep an eye open for that.

    2. I’m involved in this Coastal Romance Blog Hop if you want to stop by and win a $100 gift card and 26 e-books for Christmas this is your chance….you should visit the blogs of every author for more chances to win- many are doing their own give away as well!
    http://annieseaton.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-coastal-christmas.html

    Meanwhile don’t forget that you can send people a gift of a book direct from Amazon this Christmas. My books are only $2.99 which makes them an inexpensive way to brighten someone’s day. They’re all available at my Amazon author page!!

  • Blog

    Let’s talk – NaNoWriMo and a Thanksgiving novel

    11/19/2013

    Alphabet Dating CoverSo I haven’t been blogging much this last week or so because life has been extra busy.

    November, when I do NaNoWriMo is always hectic and something has to give, I suppose. In my case it has been the blog. (Oh yes and exercise and cleaning the house but that’s Ok, I don’t miss those things.)

    I enjoy doing NaNoWriMo because it highlights how much time I waste in a normal week when I could be writing. Let’s hope I can remember that in January….and February…someone feel free to remind me. I hate the middle of my NaNoWriMo novel but lucky for me I’ve pushed through and now I’m on the downward run…I do so love that march to a happy ending

    I juts thought I’d remind you that Alphabet Dating is actually a book set in the month of November – one month, one girl, 26 dates….and even a Thanksgiving tragedy.

    You might like to grab a copy if you haven’t already read it. It’s available here. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CMHEVXG

    Hopefully I’ll be back on the blogging bandwagon again next week.