Here we are nearly 1/2 of the way through NaNoWriMo. I've given advice in the past and you can read about it here. Mostly I just want to cheer you on and say, "Look how awesome you are! You're writing a book-shaped thing! Keep it up!" November is an awful month to try and write a … Continue reading NaNoWriMo Advice
I'll keep this short because if you're like me, you're behind on your NaNoWriMo word count goals and it hasn't even been a week. Instead of writing, you're sitting in front of a space heater, eating an almond "ice cream" sandwich while watching The Wire. Wait, you're not? Okay, it's just me. Hopefully you're cruising along … Continue reading NaNoWriMo Tips for 2013
I'm just gonna come straight out and say it: writing is hard. You know what else is hard? Running a marathon. There are similarities to both pursuits. They both take time and energy and stamina. They both are mostly solo activities, at least during "training." They both come with bragging rights. Both endeavors will bleed your body … Continue reading Fact: Writing a Book is Not Like Running A Marathon
This is a PSA for all of the aspiring YA and adult writers out their on the interwebs. Mark your calendars, the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award (ABNA) begins next Monday, January 14th. If you've got a 50k-150k word novel on your hard drive (perhaps from NaNoWriMo?) this might be your ticket. You'd be a fool not … Continue reading Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award begins next week
Happy New Year and welcome to 2013! I love the beginnings of things, especially January. I love to make lists of things I want to accomplish (and change) and then not follow through because I got too damn lazy. But that's not gonna happen this year. This year I'm sharing my goals/ resolutions with the world to … Continue reading My 2013 Writing Resolutions
I'm not good at keeping track of things. Nor am I good at saving my stuff. I'm not a hoarder, I'm a purger. But somehow, after countless moves and new cities and well, life in general, I still have all of my childhood journals. Well, not all. There are a few that disappeared along the … Continue reading The importance of keeping a journal
First of all congrats to all who finished NaNoWriMo last Friday, or anyone who has recently finished writing their (first) novel. You're probably asking yourself, "What do I now that I've finished my first novel?" Here is my time-tested post-novel writing survival guide. NOTE: Do not skip ahead to step 12 until you are absolutely ready. Revision … Continue reading What to do now that NaNoWriMo is over: A 12 Step Program for Writers
Hello, Lovelies. I hope Week 1 of NaNoWriMo is treating you well and that you've made your word count goals and have pretty much made this novel your bitch. If you are following the word count daily goal, you "should" be at 11,669 words. I'll be honest. I am already behind. I skipped a day, … Continue reading NaNoWriMo Week 1 Check In & 2009 NaNoWriMo Excerpt
On the eve of NaNoWriMo, I thought I'd give you a few last words of wisdom. If you missed Part 1, you can read it here. 6. If possible, write at the same time/place everyday. You're more apt to stick with it and complete your manuscript if you have a routine (this is true for … Continue reading NaNoWriMo Advice Part 2
As promised, here is my (unsolicited) advice for how you can survive NaNaWriMo next week. 1. Come up with an idea you can follow through on. This is not the time to try and invent the next Hunger Games, because frankly, you won't. I'm sorry, but it's true. I won't even write the next HG. Instead, focus … Continue reading NaNoWriMo Advice Part 1
danielle dreger 