Chris Baty's Blog, page 150

NaNoWriMo Needs Your Vote

It’s Project for Awesome time! Project for Awesome, or P4A, is an annual fundraiser that raises money and awareness for all kinds of nonprofit organizations. We’re in the running for a grant of some of the money raised through P4A, and your vote can help us win.

Last year, with your help, we received $25,000 from Project for Awesome—enough to ship noveling resources to 2,000 classrooms around the world. Let’s do it again.

Vote by this Sunday, December 13, to help us support even more writers. It’s simple:Go to the “National Novel Writing Month” page on the Project for Awesome site.Click on each video.Select the “I’m not a robot” check box, then click the big VOTE box.

Please vote for all the NaNoWriMo videos—voting is cumulative! (Want to vote for even more videos? Check out the “NaNoWriMo” page!)

Why is this so important? 

Because we know that stories can change lives…

NaNoWriMo helps people discover that their stories matter, that they can achieve even more than they thought they could, and that they can build worlds. Your votes will help us keep creating experiences like these: 

“The entire 8th grade class of 350 students wrote one million words. More importantly, they found a purpose to their writing, a sense of achievement, and community that they had never felt before.”— Meghann Donohue

“I think sometimes the world limits creativity and NaNoWriMo encourages it. It is okay if your story isn’t perfect; it just needs to be written. You don’t have to be perfect; you only need to try with your best effort. It is a powerful message NaNoWriMo offers to creative minds.”— Caroline Lingaitis

“I know that the novel is the most effective lesson all year long because students tell me so. It’s rare that years after leaving your classroom, a student approaches you and recounts what she remembers about your class. When she does though, it’s the novel she remembers.”— R. Reese Fuller

And as a thank-you for your vote and for your help in spreading the word, we’re offering a limited-time coupon code to the NaNoWriMo store! From now until P4A voting ends on Sunday, December 13 at 9 AM PST, take 10% off your order with the coupon code IVOTEDP4A.

Everybody wins! You vote for us, feel great about helping a nonprofit you believe in, and get a deal on awesome NaNoWriMo merchandise to celebrate awesomeness. It’s an awesomeness fiesta. A non-stop festival of awesome! A ride on the awesome express! You get the idea.

We can’t do it without you. Vote for NaNoWriMo today. Tell your friends. Help us change lives.

Sarah Mackey
Director of Community Engagement Awesomeness

Celebrating Every Little Writing Milestone

Everyone has a different NaNoWriMo experience. We’ve asked some wonderful NaNoWriMo writers to share theirs. Today, Fida Islaih, NaNoWriMo participant, shares her November list of unexpected gratitudes:

Another NaNo has come and gone. My word count says I won this year, but in reality I didn’t win. I didn’t win in writing 50K. Not all of the words were new. I didn’t mind that. That is okay if you don’t mind breaking the rules. If you do mind, still look at your old stories for inspiration. It will help jog your memory if you have no idea what to write for NaNoWriMo.  

Before the month started, I made an outline. While writing, though, I veered off the outline and became a pantser. 

I used Scrivener for the first time for my story. In the middle of the month I got Scrivener and transferred my story into it. I kept a running outline as I wrote my story. Scrivener allows you to have an outline for each scene or chapter. Last year I just used Word for my NaNo project. By the end it looked like one really long and big journal entry. Looking at this year compared to last year it will be easier to edit this year’s story than last year’s story. I didn’t even want to look at last year’s project. For this year’s project I’m excited to revise it.

It’s good to love your story. If you don’t love it, it will be hard to move forward. I’ve been attempting NaNo for six years. A couple years ago I would have quit in the middle of the month. This year I didn’t even think of quitting NaNo. I love my story. 

I used to worry about not reaching my word count each day. I would be hard on myself for not being on track. This year I kept telling myself it was okay. At least I wrote something everyday. Some days were better than others. I let myself be excited for all the little hurdles. I rewarded myself after reaching my daily goal. 

For one weekend I did hit a wall, thinking I had writer’s block or reached the end of the story. I took the ideas of using different POV’s and different timelines. It really helps. My characters took the reins and took me to unexpected places. 

You shouldn’t worry about your word count. It takes away from the fun experience. You should also take advantage of the sprints. They give random prompts sometimes, and it kept me going. Lastly, be a part of the forums, you can bounce ideas off one another. Just make sure you keep writing everyday.

Fida Islaih is a poet and author of four collections. Islaih is a lover of chocolate and cats. She lives with her two cats, Tiger and Shadow. They entertain her on her low and high writing days.

Top photo by Flickr user shannonkringen.

Didn’t Win NaNoWriMo? Here Are 3 Reasons to Celebrate

Everyone has a different NaNoWriMo experience. We’ve asked some wonderful NaNoWriMo writers to share theirs, and what they’ve learned. Today, Jennifer Wilson, author of

Kindred Spirits: Tower of London, tells us why she’s still glad she participated in NaNoWriMo… even if she didn’t win:

A friend first challenged me to try NaNoWriMo in 2009, and I’ve managed to win twice since—in 2009 and 2013. After a lot of editing, the novel I wrote in 2013 was published by Crooked Cat Publishing as Kindred Spirits: Tower of London in October 2015—an absolute dream come true. Given this recent success, I was really motivated to go for NaNoWriMo this year. 

I’m definitely a planner, and I started reading and researching my new cast of characters back in the summer, aiming to draft a follow-up to my 2013 effort. Sadly, as my notes started mounting up, so did the to-do list at my day job. As November 1 crept up, in truth, I began to worry.

Week 1 started well. Week 2 kept it going—I even took two days off work to keep those words flowing, but then… the wall struck. I’d known when I started that it was going to be difficult this year, but after being sat at a desk all day for work, going back to the desk during my free time was a challenge. During Week 3, my word count stalled; I was averaging less than 100 words per day. I gave it a final push during Week 4, but I knew this wouldn’t be my year. 

By the end of the month, I had made it to 31,536 words: so close, and yet so far. Or rather, so far, and still so far!

But, I’m going to draw on the positives:

I’ve got 31,536 words to play with. 
I’ve spent time with a lovely bunch of new characters, who I’m keen to have stick around.
Any writing is a good thing—practise makes perfect, after all.
I had fun. Just as I did in 2009 and 2013. 

So, what would I tell my October self? There are a couple of points:

Winning is great, but with NaNoWriMo, it really is the starting part that counts.
Any words written are better than no words written.
Just keep going! At the end of the day, the people who pay your bills do need to take priority, but any word is valuable to a work-in-progress.

I may not have made it to the magical 50,000, but I have won before, and am determined to give it another go in the future.

Fingers crossed for 2016….

Jennifer Wilson is a marine environmental consultant, with an equal passion for history, generally stalking dead monarchs! Her debut novel, Kindred Spirits: Tower of London , was published by Crooked Cat Publishing in October 2015.

Top photo by Flickr user Magic Madzik.

How to Print and Publish your NaNo Novel

Every year, we’re lucky to have great sponsors for our nonprofit events. FastPencil, a NaNoWriMo 2015 sponsor, is offering all participants a hard copy of their book for the cost of shipping, and free e-publishing. Read on for more details:

Microsoft Word, an iPad, your journal, an app: regardless of where you write, you have been focused on your writing goals all November. And that’s an accomplishment in itself! As we move toward closing out this month’s 50,000-word writing challenge, let’s turn towards the next step of the book creation process: preparing your manuscript for publishing. 

Although your ultimate goal may or may not be to publish your novel globally, we know that printing your manuscript and publishing a book are two very different projects. That’s why FastPencil is offering a place where you can do both—print and publish your projects—as desired.

Step 1. Compile and Organize

Compiling and organizing your notes into a novel is simple. Import content directly from Evernote, upload Microsoft Word documents, images, and other digital files—and preview your book in seconds. 

Step 2: Polish and Preview

Once notes are pulled into FastPencil’s publishing app, you can edit your content, collaborate, add images, and prepare your manuscript for publishing. Then, preview multiple print and e-book formats. High-quality services paired with free design templates give authors the freedom to concentrate on creating content, instead of page layouts.

Step 3: Print and Revise

Are you ready to publish?

Probably not, and that’s fine. The draft you’ve written will need refinement and polish. But writing a 50,000-word draft in one month is a huge accomplishment, so pat yourself on the back for coming this far! Then take a deep breath and print your draft privately, on-demand before you lose the nerve.

Printing a copy of your draft can give you a good feel for how close your novel is to being publication-ready. With FastPencil’s free book and e-book offer NaNoWriMo winners (valid until January 31, 2016), you can have a printed copy in your hands in about 10 business days.

Revising your book

The first time an author prints out a draft book, there are typically two reactions:

“Yaaaaaaaas, my book is sooo pretty!”

And… wait for it …

“Gasp! Is that a typo? Noooooooooo…”

Okay, so it isn’t perfect. So what? Remember, the draft you’ve printed does not have to be the book you ultimately publish. Mark up your printed copy and have others review it.

Once you’ve revised the words, simply use FastPencil’s powerful publishing workspace to re-create, edit, preview, and prepare your manuscript for your global audience.

Step 4: Publish!

Finally, it’s time to hit the publish button. Don’t be scared, be excited! FastPencil has a special publishing offer just for NaNoWriMo winners, with 70% off global distribution, including two ISBNs, when you publish by 6/30/16. Rejoice!

Getting started with FastPencil

So, ready to make a book?

Open a new project with FastPencil, print your book, and publish your story using the codes available on your NaNoWriMo Winner Goodies page. 

Join the publishing revolution!  Connect quickly and preview your manuscript in book and e-book formats. Guided publishing: Private or 3-year Global Distribution with ISBNs available. Your Team. Your Timeline. Your Budget. Your Books. FastPencil is Publishing Simplified.

30 Covers, 30 Days 2015: Day ThirtyEvery November, during...

THE LITTLE THINGS || A young adult novel being written by Melanie L. H. || Cover design by Phil Sieradzan


REGO || A young adult novel being written by YWP participant Nona David || Cover design by Mark Dudlik


Phil Sieradzan is a Baltimore-born graphic designer by trade.


Mark Dudlik is the Director of Operations & Graduate Advisor for the Masters in Branding program at the School of Visual Arts.

30 Covers, 30 Days 2015: Day Thirty

Every November, during National Novel Writing Month, thirty professional designers volunteer to create book cover art inspired by novels being written by aspiring authors from around the globe. Why? To encourage new, diverse voices, and help build a more creative world.  

30 Covers, 30 Days is presented in partnership with designer and author Debbie Millman.

Read more about these NaNoWriMo 2015 novels-in-progress, and the cover designers, below.

The Little Things

A young adult novel being written this November by Melanie L. H.

A couple who have been together for several years and are both in their senior year of high school have to change their relationship when Walter, who has always had vision issues, discovers he is going blind. 

Another snag in their plans for their senior year? Walter’s manipulative aunt is trying to gain custody of Walter saying that his family’s neglect led to his blindness, which is a blatant lie. Life isn’t going to be boring for this couple.

Cover Designed by Phil Sieradzan

Phil Sieradzan is a Baltimore-born graphic designer by trade, but works with every design medium ranging from illustrations to motion video. He believes criticism is key to any quality work and very much misses 90s Nick.

 Rego

A young adult novel being written this November by YWP participant Nona David.

In Rego, everyone is born with a twin. You are either the good… or evil twin. At the age of fifteen, you and your twin are sent to live separate lives in two different realms. In the good realm, Bonum, you are trained to be a a helpful person dedicated to their community. In Tzar, you are taught to be a hateful person who devotes their lives to making people suffer.

Alex Wilcox’s twin died at birth. After close observation, the government sends her to a realm, but she begins to doubt their decision. How will she truly discover who she is?

Cover Designed by Mark Dudlik

Mark Dudlik is the Director of Operations & Graduate Advisor for the Masters in Branding program at the School of Visual Arts.

"So here’s your permission to take a break [from your novel] and go looking for inspiration. And..."

“So here’s your permission to take a break [from your novel] and go looking for inspiration.

 

And if your search leads you to your Netflix queue, I need you to promise me one thing: when they ask if you’re still watching after a couple of episodes, say no and get back to work!”

- Sandy Hall, on the power (and limits) of a writing break.

30 Covers, 30 Days 2015: Day Twenty-NineEvery November, during...

MIDNIGHT AT ISTON DINER || A mystery novel being written by Marlee Pagels || Cover design by Carolyn Sewell


THE INVISIBLE DOOR || An adventure novel being written by YWP participant Julia Brunetti || Cover design by Winnie Storey


Carolyn Sewell is a letterer and illustrator living in the DC area.


Winnie Storey is an artist and creative director at Binary Feline based in Greenville, South Carolina.

30 Covers, 30 Days 2015: Day Twenty-Nine

Every November, during National Novel Writing Month, thirty professional designers volunteer to create book cover art inspired by novels being written by aspiring authors from around the globe. Why? To encourage new, diverse voices, and help build a more creative world.  

30 Covers, 30 Days is presented in partnership with designer and authorDebbie Millman.  Wrimos: submit your synopses for 30C30D 2015 here.

Read more about these NaNoWriMo 2015 novels-in-progress, and the cover designers, below.

Midnight at Iston Diner

A mystery novel being written this November by Marlee Pagels.

Jenny’s diner is known for its appetizing food and its extraordinary service. But only those who work there know how truly extraordinary—or perhaps fantastic—these employees are. 

When a stranger is found dead in the bathroom with a knife in his stomach, Jenny takes it into her own hands to put the diner on lockdown and figure out what happened. But is the murder the only mystery in the diner that they’ll be unraveling tonight?

Cover Designed by Carolyn Sewell

Carolyn Sewell is a letterer and illustrator living in the DC area. A potty-mouthed lover of all things typographic and unicorny, she creates work that is irreverent, and shiny. Her year-long project of daily-drawn “Postcards To My Parents” pivoted her career from graphic design to hand-lettering. Since then, her work has been published in Communication Arts, PRINT, Grafik, HOW, CMYK, and The Washington Post. Lesson learned: draw something every day and be nice to your folks.

 The Invisible Door

An adventure novel being written this November by YWP participant Julia Brunetti.

Cassandra de la Espada grew up in the small Spanish town of Cerca del Lago. But when she was 18 years old, a dragon, Fumar, came and began destroying and terrorizing her home. 

Cassandra decides to go on a dangerous quest to find an invisible door that leads to an invisible room that holds a mighty sword. Only when she finds it can she vanquish Fumar. Will she succeed and save her town? Or will she fail… and be killed?

Cover Designed by Winnie Storey

Winnie Storey is an artist and creative director at Binary Feline based in Greenville, South Carolina. When not creating, you can find Winnie creating art under the name ’Skinniwini’, reading great books, traveling to conferences, learning coding, and consistently making beautiful objects for fun.

30 Covers, 30 Days 2015: Day Twenty-EightEvery November, during...

30 Covers, 30 Days 2015: Day Twenty-Eight

Every November, during National Novel Writing Month, thirty professional designers volunteer to create book cover art inspired by novels being written by aspiring authors from around the globe. Why? To encourage new, diverse voices, and help build a more creative world.  

30 Covers, 30 Days is presented in partnership with designer and author Debbie Millman. 

Read more about these NaNoWriMo 2015 novels-in-progress, and the cover designers, below.

The Arcane Arts: The Death Tune

A children’s fiction novel being written this November by Jonathan J.

Xavier always thought that his name was the only cool thing in his life. As an orphan, living with one’s grandmother was rarely ever fun. But when a mysterious man appeared at his school with a radiating blue aura and put everyone else to sleep in an instant, Xavier knew that he was in for something bigger.

After the man introduced himself, Xavier was astonished to know that he had been recruited to the Magic Guild, a school full of teenagers like him with magic imbued inside of them.

As Xavier ventures into a world of magic and power that he never knew existed, he befriends Aria and Reis, two young mages that had been recruited the same way as he was. They discover the existence of magic and guilds; its history and legends.

But when students start to die one by one in their sleep, Aria becomes the prime suspect of the school and it’s up to Xavier to solve the mystery and prove Aria’s innocence. However, Xavier later finds that all of this is only a small part of a bigger scheme led by a Dark Guild that is currently out to get him.

Cover Designed by Autumn Heisler

Autumn is a creative problem solver, through and through. She currently works as the Digital Marketing Manager for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. She is a Cincinnati transplant and the Co-Vice President of AIGA Cincinnati. She lives for dogs and caffeine.

 A Field of Poppies

A romance novel being written this November by YWP participant Kel Card.

Jolanta’s family has owned a flower shop for generations. After the death of her mother, she’s taken over running the family and supporting her father’s shop. 

At 26, she’s given up hope of ever being anything more than the shopkeeper’s single daughter, seeing as she has her hands full trying to keep her family together. But the arrival of a stranger in town may help her unfurl the un-bloomed poppy of her heart.

Cover Designed by Zefania Diani

Zefania Diani: Designer. Illustrator. Blogger. Constant learner. Creative director of Terralogical. Heavy sleeper. INFJ. Book hoarder. Dwight Schrute’s weird screenshots collector. Very awkward. Lives in Jakarta, Indonesia.

30 Covers, 30 Days 2015: Day Twenty-SevenEvery November, during...

SHOOTING DOWN CUPID || A young adult novel being written by Allie Wood || Cover design by Lisa Nichols


WHEN THE CLOCK CHIMES BLUE || A young adult novel being written by YWP participant Ayda Stallings || Cover design by Syndi Becker


Lisa Nichols is a New Haven, CT-area graphic designer and photographer.


Syndi Becker has been designing for 20+ years.

30 Covers, 30 Days 2015: Day Twenty-Seven

Every November, during National Novel Writing Month, thirty professional designers volunteer to create book cover art inspired by novels being written by aspiring authors from around the globe. Why? To encourage new, diverse voices, and help build a more creative world.  

30 Covers, 30 Days is presented in partnership with designer and author Debbie Millman.  Wrimos: submit your synopses for 30C30D 2015 here.

Read more about these NaNoWriMo 2015 novels-in-progress, and the cover designers, below.

Shooting Down Cupid

A young adult novel being written this November by Allie Wood.

Cupid’s student fails class by making two people hate each other instead of falling in love.

Cover Designed by Lisa Nichols

Lisa Nichols is a New Haven, CT-area graphic designer and photographer. New England native, Vermont raised, and educated at Maine College of Art in Portland. Lisa works on various freelance projects including publication design and photography. Follow her on Facebook.

 When the Clock Chimes Blue

A young adult novel being written this November by YWP participant Ayda Stallings.

Fifteen-year-old Caia Brooks has synesthesia. Every sound she hears brings color and shapes before her eyes: Her mother’s voice tints her vision with pale purple. Rain hitting the ground causes red sparks on her sight. A piano performance results in multicolored dots dancing before her. 

Caia has long stopped trying to describe her experiences; that is, until Logan arrives. Completely blind, he asks a single question that initiates a deep friendship. Together, they discover the colors of the world in a unique way: through sound rather than sight.

Cover Designed by Syndi Becker

Syndi Becker has been designing for 20+ years. She received her BFA and taught at The School of Visual Arts. Her career began in book publishing and she has held positions at New York Magazine, American Healthand Money Magazine. She is currently Executive Design Director at Time Inc. Content Solutions.

Cover image: Getty Images

Fighting the Word-Count Woes

All through National Novel Writing Month, published authors will take the whistle, take over our official Twitter account for a week, and act as your NaNo Coach . This week’s NaNo Coach, Sandy Hall, author of A Little Something Different and Signs Point to Yes , has tips for writers at ever stage:

A prevailing theme in the NaNoCoach hashtag this week is word count and hitting that magical 50,000-word mark. Some people are worried about having too many words; the majority of people are worried about not having enough. Here are some tips for getting you on track, no matter what your word count looks like.

If you are over your word count:

There is nothing to worry about. There is no such thing as having too many words in a first draft. It gives you plenty of room to edit and make cuts.

If you are several hundred words behind:Take some time to add chapter titles. Undo all of your contractions. Add a little more description here and there.  

Do whatever you need to do to hit 50K.

If you are several thousand words behind:Go through your manuscript and find scenes you can deepen. Seek out conversations or chapters that end abruptly. Add more transitions. Look for places to make your world and your characters more realistic.

Resist the urge to edit! Keep adding to your word count!

10,000 words behind

You might need a subplot. Look at secondary characters that are ready to play a bigger role, or minor issues and situations that you mention in passing that could become more important. 

Things like romances, family secrets, problems at work or school, etc. can all make for good subplots. (These are super generic subplot ideas. But a quick Google for a list of subplots will get you on your way.)

If you’re at 25,000 words and your story feels over

Step one: Do not lose hope. 

Step two: Try turning your current climax into the midpoint of your plot.

Examine what you have and what you need to make the novel satisfying to readers. Have your characters had a darkest moment? Have you put them through enough trials? Have they had enough fun? Think about what you can add after the current climax to continue the story.

If you’re still coming up short, make sure every part of your manuscript has a beginning, middle, and end. Also known as a set-up, conflict, and resolution. You can do this for each act, each chapter, each scene, and even each character. The words can add up fast when you start thinking in these terms.

One last tip:

I know writers can be a little allergic to math, but I want you to think about the average number of words you can write in an hour. (If you don’t know, time yourself. It’s a good statistic to be aware of.) Then figure out how many hours you can realistically commit to writing between now and November 30th.   With any luck, you’ll find that you have plenty of time to finish.

If not, you will still have more words on December 1st than you started with a month ago. You haven’t lost anything.

No matter what, don’t throw in the towel. Try not to get discouraged. Just keep typing until your story is done.

Sandy Hall is a teen librarian from New Jersey where she was born and raised. She has a BA in Communication and a Master of Library and Information Science from Rutgers University. When she isn’t writing, or teen librarian-ing, she enjoys reading, marathoning TV shows, and long scrolls through Tumblr. She is the author of the young adult novels A Little Something Different and Signs Point to Yes.