Category: motivation
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NaNoWriMo 23: The Verdict
I’ll go ahead and say it: I didn’t win NaNoWriMo 23. Am I sad about it? Nope. During my first NaNoWriMo in 2008, I wanted to win so badly I could taste it. And I did win. I gained a lot of confidence in myself as a writer that year. And, to be honest, if…
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A Hard Question
This is from Noah Lukeman’s book The First Five Pages. I read that a long time ago. It’s one of those books I want to read again. I feel I’ve grown as a writer and I’m curious if the book would mean more to me now. Photo by Leeloo Thefirst: https://www.pexels.com/photo/question-mark-on-crumpled-paper-5428826/ My Linktree
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Should I Do NaNoWriMo?
Should I do NaNoWriMo this year? Whether or not I do is in question. Here’s why: I’m currently working on three novels. Yes, I’m crazy. Currently, the momentum I have working on all three is going well. I don’t want to break it. I also have three or four outlines of potential novels. I want…
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Friday’s Findings: Writing on Wattpad and Kindle Vella
I’m trying out two platforms for my current WIPs: Kindle Vella and Wattpad. Author’s can release their works as serials—several chapters at a time—and people can read them as the new installments are released. People can read Wattpad stories for free. On Kindle Vella, the first three chapters are free. After that, the reader pays to read further…
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NaNoWriMo Day 26: Background noise
I finally reached 40k yesterday. I tried to write 6,000 words total, but after 3700, I just stopped and started watching a movie. Sometimes, when I’m writing, I’ll throw on a movie in the genre I’m writing, something I’ve watched a million times before, and write. Because it’s not something new to watch, I’m not…
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NaNoWriMo Day 24: Thankful for what I’ve learned in NaNoWriMo 2022
I am reading about people on Reddit, Twitter and other social media platforms who have decided to stop NaNoWriMo. That’s okay. I’ve had my years where I just wasn’t into it. But I have never subscribed to the thought that someone who doesn’t finish NaNoWriMo, doesn’t win. Everyone wins at NaNoWriMo, even those who don’t…
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NaNoWriMo Day 18: Completing the story arc
I knew from the first day of NaNoWriMo I would not complete the story. Yes, I will reach 50,000 words. Yes, I will write a narrative, but it will only be part of the narrative–or what I’m calling “step four” in my NaNoWriMo plan. My writing process for NaNoWriMo 2022: Step 1: Write one complete…
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NaNoWriMo Day 15: Staying Ahead
I only got in 232 words yesterday. But that’s okay. The day before, Sunday, I got in over 5,000 words which put me a few days ahead. Yesterday, I have an all day meeting which mentally drained me and I have to wrap up emergency dog sitting for a coworker over the weekend. On the…
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NaNoWriMo Day 13: Go ahead; write those flashbacks
One way I’m building up my word count for NaNoWriMo is by using flashbacks. My main characters have a complex backstory (don’t they always?) and I’m finding it’s a great way to keep me on top of my daily statistics. But using flashbacks can help in other ways. They can move the story forward. They…
Andrew M. Friday 