November is National Novel Writing Month

Have you ever participated?

Sort of. In years past, I had started off fairly strong, but with work and life always getting in the way I’ve never finished.

It seems to me that November is the worst time of the year to commit to writing daily. Although that might be what some can do, for me, this is the time of the year when there are more birthdays, more holidays, more work issues to complete before end of year and more. It’s just way to busy. I start with a goal to write 5,000 words a day, but it isn’t realistic for me.

If you’re feeling the same, don’t be discouraged. Perhaps November is too busy of a month for you as it is for me. Give yourself grace. Try another month. Perhaps February or March? A time when there aren’t major holidays or a lot of family events that you know will pop up (like birthdays).

One of the best ways to tackle such a project, as least for me, is to have a plan. I’m not a pantser. I don’t enjoy winging it and making it up as a go completely. I like having a general idea, a plot formed, basically a path to guide me down. It doesn’t mean I strictly adhere to that plan, but it keeps my on track to the end.

I highly recommend the following resource to help with planning:

Writing Tips: A Creative and Practical Guide to Improving Your Story (The Creative Writer’s Toolkit Book 1)
By Merrie Destefano

Writing a book can feel overwhelming—especially if your genre is fantasy, science fiction, or horror. It’s almost like going on a quest. You have to create cities and villages, populate them with unique creatures, and figure out how to save the world—all while making sure your main character finds true love.

Hard, yes.

Impossible, no.

If it were impossible, literature wouldn’t exist.

This book can help you accomplish your writing goals and kick discouragement to the curb, where it belongs. It can also inspire you to write the best story possible, while creating believable characters and well-developed worlds at the same time.

You’ll discover:

• How organic writing can make your fantasy, science fiction, or horror seem more real.

• How to use the author’s secret world-building tips.

• How to create well-developed worlds by making one change in your writing.

• How you can improve your story premise by asking “What If.”

• Why adding an adrenaline rush to your story can both entice and satisfy readers.

• How genre-blending can strengthen your story and plot.

• How to hit tropes by first hitting your genre.

Discover how you can create the book of your dreams by making a few simple changes to your manuscript.

Multiple-award-winning author, Merrie Destefano, spent sixteen years in the publishing industry as a book and magazine editor, working for The Word For Today, Walter Foster Publishing, APG-Media, and Engaged Media. Her novels have been published by HarperCollins, Entangled Teen, and Ruby Slippers Press, and her books have won awards in both the science fiction and fantasy categories.

Where Can You Buy A Copy?

About the Author

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