NaNoWriMo Check In

How's everyone doing?

As of yesterday I have 20K words written.

I haven't started my writing today.

I like to write 2K a day - mostly because I know there are some days where I'm not going to be able to get much done.

And I like to have that cushion.

So I'm trying something new this year - an adult romance.

It's set in Vermont.

I was at 10K before I decided to write a second POV.

So you can see how much work it's going to take to revise.

And that's ok, I'm just about getting the words down.

Tell me how you're doing this year...

and if we're not writing buddies, please add me. I'm YA Book Nerd there too.

NaNoWriMo Tips and Tricks

This is the first year in a long while (since 2006) that I'm NOT going to be writing 50,000 words this year. But that doesn't mean that I won't b writing. I'm just going to focusing on editing. So I won't be counting words, but I will be cheering everyone on and sending good thoughts your way.

Here are some tips I learned while writing:

 * Pace yourself 

* Determine a daily word count and stick to it

* Leave off in the middle of a scene so you know where you're going the next day

* Let everyone in your life know what you're trying to accomplish so they understand if you're not available for plans

* Think about your writing when you're not writing

* Join a region and attend some of the Write-Ins (lots of local libraries host them)

* Jot down a few plot line ideas (I like to do this before November hits)

* Take a Day off if you need to, just make up the word count later

* Talk about it on social media, people will cheer your on 

* Know that this is only first draft and you will polish it later. Just get the words down on the page.

* Update your word count daily on the NaNoWriMo page - it helps with the accomplishment feeling

* Talking to people helps if you're stuck with the plot, even if they don't know the whole story.

* Have fun with it and feel accomplished when you finish (no matter how many words wrote.)

Week 3: NaNoWriMo Check In

In case you missed it, this is my current story.

Right now I'm at 30K and steadily climbing.

I'm hoping to finish before going to visit family for Thanksgiving. We'll see if I get there. I have some upcoming plot points that I want to hit, which is always helpful. I'm not sure I'm at the halfway point of the story yet, so that gives me more to write about.

How is your writing going?

Week 2: NaNoWriMo Check-In

In case you missed it, this is my current story.

I went on vacation for a while, so the first two days, I busted my butt so I wouldn't fall too far behind. I'm just starting to get back into the swing of things.I'm hoping to write 2K today.

Right now I'm at 16K and steadily climbing. 

I have the next few chapters outlined in my usual way - where I know that something is going to happen in each chapter.

If you're writing this month, let me know how you're doing!

NaNoWriMo: Year 8

My current WIP

Title: Chawton High 3: Chocolates and Everlasting Love

Genre: Young Adult

Synopsis: The third book in a loosely connected series set in New England - all retellings of Jane Austen novels with high school students. This one is Persuasion. 

It involves chocolate - lots of chocolate.

And there is kissing.

NaNoWriMo Tips and Tricks

Happy writing month to all my fellow writers out there.  Yesterday was the start of the fast and furious novel writing month. I've been taking part in this for 8 years now and because I've learned a few things, I'm sharing them with you. 

Also if you're on twitter follow #NaNoWriMo15 or #NaNoWriMo for updates from writers everywhere! 

Here are my past posts:

1. Are you thinking about it?
2. Tips 1
3. And finally, it can happen to you: Authors who wrote their first draft during NaNoWriMo and after edits and revisions, became published.

Most importantly, have fun with it!

NaNoWriMo completed!

How is everyone doing?

NaNoWriMo Check In

How's everyone doing? It's a little over than halfway through the month - which means, everyone should be near 25K or a little over.

I'm at 31K and I know that it's going to be a rough writing week for me because I'm crazy busy this week. I wrote a little extra yesterday because of it.

Are you on target?

Are you enjoying it or does it feel like a chore?

Are you needing to find some creative juices (I like dancing around the room like maniac - it helps loosen me up and makes me feel a little silly.)

Are you finding yourself trying to edit your work (Try to avoid this - that's what the new year is for - editing process)

Do you know where you're going in the story and how to get there? If not, maybe a plotting session is in order.

Leave a comment and let me know how it's going for you!

NaNoWriMo in SLJ

SLJ is talking about NaNoWriMo in libraries - including what we do at the library 

NaNoWriMo: Are you thinking about it?

I LOVE November - not just for the fall flavors, the boots, and the chilly crisp air but also because it's the one time of year that I stick to a writing schedule.

I've done NaNoWriMo for 6 years now and I'll be working on my 7th this year. I love it and here's why:

1. Everyone knows I do it, so I'm not pressured into saying yes for other things this month

2. I write Daily (or almost daily, I do take some days off)

3. The creative juices flow and I get into the heads of my characters

4. I feel accomplished after hitting my word count for the day

5. I talk about writing on twitter with other writers - and it's all encouraging

6. I know the words don't have to be perfect -they just have to be there (This was tripping me up before whenever I started writing, but thanks to the short window, now it doesn't matter. I have all the time in the world to go back and fix them.)

7. I have a plotting dinner date with my husband each year before November at the restaurant of my choice. He listens to me plot and offers suggestions when I get stuck.

So, if you're on the fence, bite the bullet and do it. You won't regret it!

Also, I've written a few handy tips here and here should you still be deciding.

When you join up, don't forget to friend me! (YA Book Nerd of course)

NaNoWriMo Tips

I've been writing for six years and I thought I'd share a little bit what I learned the past few years.

Plot - at least a little bit for each chapter so you know what's coming next. Get a notebook (I'm addicted to notebooks). Write out character details, chapter notes, or maps.

Word Count - create a personal word count and STICK to it! I use 2000 words/day because I know there are days I might take off. Also I want to finish before Thanksgiving - which is later in the month this year. Update your word count at the end of each day on the website - it makes you feel accomplished.

When Writing - After hitting your word count, leave off writing at place when you know what's going to happen next - this will make your next day SO much easier.

Environment - If you're some who can't work with quiet, play a little music in the background, something that gets your creative juices flowing, but that's not going to interfere with your writing.

Writer's Block - When you get stuck (and this WILL happen), talk about your story with someone. I usually talk my plot issues out with my husband and often he has some great ideas on where to go next - or he triggers something by asking questions of the story.

Perfection - Don't expect it, the point of this month is just to get words down on paper. There will be many more drafts as you polish it up. If you concentrate too hard on perfection, you won't get anywhere.

Have Fun - This is a fun event - don't get stressed out about it.

If you're writing this year, Good Luck, and friend me under YA Book Nerd:  http://nanowrimo.org/participants/yabooknerd

NaNoWriMo: Killing Mr. Darcy

COMPLETE!!!!

My NaNoWriMo Post

is up at the Hub where I interviewed Donna Gephart, Jessica Burkhart, and Marissa Meyer about turning their NaNoWriMo works into published books. Check it out and leave a comment, especially if you're attempting NaNoWriMo too! 

NaNoWriMo Update

As of this morning, I'm halfway towards my writing goals. This last few thousand have been tough to write, just because it's at the point in the novel where I'm not sure where everything's going. But I do have some ideas. I've been participating in NaNoWriMo for five years (And won the four previous years). I heard about a year before my year, in the middle of November, so I couldn't join that year. Since then I've written three YA novels (one verse novel about a girl in college during her first year, one fantasy novel about a girl fighting for control over her kingdom, and one Christmas romance about a girl who's family owns a tree farm) and one cozy mystery about a travel writer who's writing about her best friend's inn opening and there's a murder at the party. The 5th year, I'm writing a sequel to the cozy mystery called Killing Mr. Darcy where the main character and her best friend head to the Jane Austen festival in Bath, where an actor who played Mr. Darcy on stage, is murdered. 


Here are some tips I have about completing NaNoWriMo, which is great in motivating me to write.

1. Get a notebook and in October start plotting by chapter - write down something that will happen at each chapter so you have something to write about
2. Plot at least halfway through the novel - I like the to stop there, because I don't always know where I'm going and I like my characters to lead me there.
3. Stop writing for the day in the middle of a scene or when you know what's going to happen next. it makes it so much easier to start the next day. 
4. I try for a word count for 2000 daily because I know there are going to be days when I just don't have time to write. It's nice to have a little cushion.

Are you writing this year? Good luck if you are! 

NaNoWriMo

This afternoon, I will be starting my 5th year as a NaNoWriMo participant. I'm under YAbooknerd - feel free to add me as a writing buddy. 

This year I'm writing a sequel to the cozy mystery I wrote last year. It takes place during the Jane Austen festival in Bath, England and is tentatively titled Killing Mr. Darcy. I was plotting some of it Tuesday night and I'm itching to start.

*******

For those of you in CT writing, The Otis Library will be hosting a Write-in for all ages on November 19th from 6-8. Bring your manuscript and add to your word count. We'll supply the addictive cookies.

We're also hosting Rosemary Harris for a fantastic night about writing. 

Get Your Write On! With author Rosemary Harris

Like writing? Listen to mystery writer Rosemary Harris talk about writing and the business side of getting published at 6:30 in the Community Room on November 14th .

*This program is for teens and adults*

Tween Tuesday Review: Olivia Bean Trivia Queen

Tween Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at GreenBeanTeenQueen to highlight great reads for tweens. Join the fun  

Olivia Bean loves Jeopardy.  She and her Dad used to watch the show together, before everything changed. Now it's her one time to relax during the day, even if she sometimes has to share the show with her mother's boyfriend Neil.

When they announce the kids' tournament, Olivia can't wait to sign up. It's the last year she'll be eligible to participate in the challenge. Through a series of fortune events, she finds herself as one of the chosen ones.

Olivia crams with trivia from across the board. Her mom helps her by creating flashcards. Charlie showers her with gross facts. Neil brings home trivia books from the library, where he works. Her neighbor Tucker helps her brush up on her worse subject, geography.

With all of the trivia swirling in her head, will Olivia achieve her dream?

My Thoughts: This book packs a punch and I wasn't expecting it. I wasn't expecting to become teary eyed during one of the final scenes. I adored this book (which the author wrote as a challenge during NaNoWriMo).  


On the surface, it's a great story about a girl who loves trivia and strives to achieve her dream. As you dig deeper, it's about a family that comes together. Olivia misses her Dad like crazy. As you uncover more about the reasons the family broke up, you realize that her father is a horrible parent. Olivia doesn't loose hope. She's still believes that her father will be there for her. When her mother loses her job, she hides away from the world. Neil steps in to take care of Olivia and Charlie, her adorable but annoying brother.  At first, Olivia doesn't like Neil. She doesn't want him living in their house, but eventually, she begins to recognize that he genuinely cares for her.  While Olivia sees Charlie as an annoying little brother, most of the time, she understands that he's trying to help her and be apart of her life. After her mother recovers, she works hard to make sure her daughter doesn't miss her chance.  They all pull together, forming an unconventional family.


The book is also about friendship. Olivia's best friend moved across the country and won't talk to her. Olivia can't imagine why her best friend is not longer interested in her. She refuses to talk to Olivia when she calls, until one day when she finally explains herself. Olivia's also thrown by Tucker's behavior. As neighbors, they used to be great friends growing up until he made fun of her. Now he's sometimes nice when they're alone, but occasionally he's mean. Olivia has a hard time figuring out if he wants to be friends or if he's just picking on her. 


Family and Friendship create layers within this book. The secondary characters add humor, sadness, and depth to the book. A wonderful read where I enjoyed the trivia bits, the fact that Neil was a librarian, and uncovering Olivia's past. 


Cover Thoughts: LOVE it!


Source: Random House 

November is NaNoWriMo month

National Write a Novel Month starts today - and for the 4th year, I'll be writing. This year I'm not writing a YA novel, but a cozy mystery. It's a big difference for me, but I'm really excited about it!

Although I'll be crazy busy writing in all my free time, I'll still be posting reviews and whatnot.

Who else is writing?

I'm also YABookNerd at the site - feel free to friend me there. and GOOD LUCK to everyone writing

Ten Things: Novels in Verse

Celebrating Poetry Month with Novels in Verse.

For my first attempt at NaNoWriMo, I wrote a novel in verse about a girl in college:

Emily has spent her entire life waiting for something to happen. Now that she's off to college, she expects her life to completely change. Only nothing does. Luckily, her new roommate is spunky and outgoing, the kind of person who makes things happen and Emily and Lauren become fast friends. The girls struggle to balance class, work, romance and their own friendship during that tumultuous first year of independence. Emily must stop waiting and find happiness on her own terms.

Here's the first page:

I’ve been waiting
my whole life
for this moment:
waiting for the escape
waiting for the independence
waiting to find myself.
And now that it’s here,
I’m waiting to figure out
what to do first.

I wrote this novel because I've read such great novels in verse and because the beginning of the novel came to me in a poem.

For the librarian side of me, novels in verse are great sources for reluctant readers. I often hand these out to people who say they hate reading. Often, they come back for more happy to have finished a book.

What My Mother Doesn't Know: the first novel in verse that I read and adored. I really do like her other books too.
Song of the Sparrow: A beautiful historical fiction from the King Arthur era.
Far From You: I think this might be my favorite of Lisa Schroeder's novels, but it's hard to pick one. She writes amazing verse novels. This one is so haunting - so real.
Seeing Emily: A girl struggles to come to terms with her culture and her heritage.
Sold: I hated reading this book because it was such a horrible subject, but it's such a moving tale and so worth the read.
Hold Up: A thrilling tale based on several perspectives
Crank: A powerful read by Ellen Hopkins - a good, but incredibly powerful read.
Dead on a Town Line : a unique mystery, probably my second verse novel read.
On Pointe: A heart breaking story of a dancer who stops dancing.
A Bad Boy can be Good for a Girl: A great read for girls, reminds me of the movie John Tucker Must Die

I'm a WINNER

For the third year in a row, I've finished the challenge. Woo Hoo!
Did I finish my novel? No
Is it close to being done? Yes
Of course I changed how I'm writing the book about halfway through, but I re-read bits of it and it's not horrible.

I still need to go back and edit last year's Princess on a quest novel. I'll be tackling that in January. I'm giving myself December off. I have three manuscripts that need polishing up. I'm excited to go back through them and edit them.

How did you do?

And so it begins....

Welcome to November...or in other words the Anti-social month
For me (for the past two years and this year), November means churning about a 2000/day word count to reach the goal of 50,000 in one month.
It's HARD, inspiring, exhausting, and probably like running a marathon.

I'm under YABOOKNERD - look me up if you want to be writing buddies. I love the support of writing during this month, it's absolutely amazing.

With writing so much, I tend to read MUCH less. I've already reached my goal for 300 books this year, so it's not terrible. Hopefully I'll have enough to keep posts current.

Are you writing this year?