It’s that time of the year guys- National Novel Writers Month! The goal is to write 50k in one month. Sounds pretty crazy. Well, it is crazy. There’s no doubt about that. That’s why it’s a challenge and definitely not for the weak and weary. *grin*

 I like to participate each year. I never get 50k written. I teach full time and work a seasonal job as well. Plus I happen to be a mom! So yeah, 50k is tough. But I do try to write 30k. It’s a very doable goal. It means I must write 1k a day. Sometimes I write more a day and sometimes I don’t write at all (like on my birthday and Thanksgiving).

I’ve written a number of books during NaNo including GILDED. There’s something motivating knowing there are thousands of others typing away at their stories with you.

But writing a novel is more than just sitting down at your computer. If you’ve been reading my blog a while, you know that the magic behind writing a book is actually the REVISION process.

Tips:

1. Click here for a video of tips that I use to prep for NaNo.

2. I also use a plot grid to guide me. Think of it as a road map. Detours are totally allowed.

3. I don’t edit while I fast draft. I just listen to my characters, dive into my world and WRITE. The book will be a WRECK. Some sentences won’t make sense. There will be plot holes and unbelievable characters.

But. Afterwards, I reemerge into the real world and I realize that I’ve written a book! This is what my friends and family tell me:

It’s a starting point. And I’m always amazed how it’s actually a lot better than I think it will be. And that’s kind of crazy and wild and awesome.

 How about you? Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year?