Cindy Lynn Speer's Blog, page 24
October 19, 2015
October 18, 2015
I can’t believe that last week I was hiking, this week I ...
I can’t believe that last week I was hiking, this week I avoided fencing because I needed to put yard stuff away – and it snowed where the fencing was being held. I love Autumn – the smell, the weather, the colors of the leaves are all magic. I am not so big on Winter.
October 16, 2015
I don’t know who made this gif, though it says Tumblr, I ...
I don’t know who made this gif, though it says Tumblr, I found it on some random site and could not ID it.
But, as I was preparing this to say “This is my day, this is how I feel.” a sweet man that I went to university with came and said hello, and hugged me fiercely and said kind things to me before leaving. I had not seen him in 20 years.
So, maybe my life is pretty good, after all. But still. Athos sticking his head in a bucket. You’ve got to post that.
Calling all Booklrs!
Hello, guys…
I’ve been thinking about how best authors can use Tumblr to reach readers in a positive and non-annoying way? I recall a couple times seeing Booklrs complaining about not being respected as a resource for authors, and I know from my own desire that I want to have meaningful and pleasant relationships with people on Tumblr, but I also would like to reach people who might like my books and might want to read and review them. I want to be successful as a writer, I don’t want the price to be positive interactions with nifty people.
I am (probably) going to write an article about this, and see if I can both help Booklrs gain the respect they deserve and educate myself and others on how to use tumblr wisely and well without being annoying or sucking the fun out of people’s dashboards.
If I use anything you say directly, I will attribute you.
October 15, 2015
thewritingcafe:
WHAT IS NANOWRIMO?
NaNoWriMo stands for ...
WHAT IS NANOWRIMO?
NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. It begins on November 1st of every year and goes until 11:59 on November 30th. During this time, participants must write a novel that is at least 50,000 words.
If you win NaNoWriMo, you get some perks that are listed on the website each year. Examples include discounts on writing software, free downloads, and some free physical copies of your self published book.
There is also a related event called Camp NaNoWriMo. This is the same as NaNoWriMo, but with a few differences:
Camp NaNoWriMo takes place in April and July.
On the Camp NaNoWriMo website, you can be in “cabins” with other writers where you can chat and encourage each other to write.
You can set your own word count goal for Camp NaNoWriMo.FAQ ABOUT NANOWRIMO
Do I have to write a novel? Can I write an anthology of short stories?
While the original premise was to write a novel, you are free to write an anthology or short stories (or something similar) if you wish.
Does it have to be original fiction? Can I write fan fiction?
The original premise was to write original fiction, but you can write fan fiction if you want.
Am I allowed to plan my story before November?
Yes! Writers are encouraged to prepare prior to NaNoWriMo.
Am I allowed to start writing my story before NaNoWriMo as long as I write an additional 50k words during November?
You’re supposed to start with a new story, but there’s no one to stop you from continuing an old story or even rewriting one.
Does my novel have to be 50,000 words, or can I go over?
You can definitely go over the word count.
Do I have to be in the US to participate? Do I have to write in English?
You can live anywhere and you can write in any language.
Make sure to check the nanowrimo website for more FAQs.
PLANNING AND PREPARATION
If you’re prone to writer’s block, I highly recommend that you plan before you write:
My Outlining and Planning Guide
Name Generators for People, Places, and Things
Titles
World Building
Prepping For NaNoWriMo: The Outlining StageOtherwise, prepare mentally and physically for the challenge of writing a novel in a month. Plan out when you will write each day and for how long. Remember, you need at least 1667 words per day to reach the goal by the end of the month. Find a nice spot to write, have all your notes in order, and back up all your files. Here are some more tips and resources:
My Preparation Advice
Kris Noel’s Preparation Advice
Create Your Own Writer’s Retreat
Book Geek Confessions’ Prep AdviceWRITING
One thing you need to avoid during NaNoWriMo is editing. If you edit while you’re trying to write, your writing will be slowed and you’ll fall behind. Just keep writing.
Getting Started
Motivation
Writing the Beginning
Writing the Middle
Writing the End
The Elephant Technique (for when you’re stuck with naming or describing something)
Finishing Your Story
Inspiration
Writing Playlists and Music
Writer’s Block
Writing Software and WebsitesOTHER NANOWRIMO TIPS
10 NaNoWriMo Tips
20 Things You Should Know About NaNo
NaNo Tips
NaNoWriMo is Coming
Writer’s Digest NaNoWriMo Tips
Checklist for Nano
Lots of NaNo Tips
Word Count Widgets If You Don’t Like the NaNo OnesAFTER NANO ENDS
So NaNoWriMo is over (or you’ve finished your novel) and now you have a rough draft of your manuscript. Here are some tips:
Do not immediately send it to an agent or publisher. Tons of people start sending out their manuscripts right after NaNoWriMo and it’s a huge mistake because they’re not sending polished, ready-to-be-published manuscripts. They’re sending rough drafts they wrote quickly.
Leave it alone before you start editing. Walk away from your manuscript and work on something else or take a break from writing. This break could be a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months. It depends on you. Then start editing once you’re fresh again.For more on editing and publishing, see my How to Write and Publish a Novel page.
NaNoWriMo is a ton of fun…do it if you can!
