National Novel Writing Month Special
How to write a book in a month, the NaNoWriMo way
If you haven’t heard of it before, National Novel Writing Month (or NaNoWriMo) is an international effort from writers all over the world to write 50,000 words in just 30 days. If you’re planning to write 1,667 words a day this month, this newsletter is packed with the inspiration, motivation and tips to keep you going. Good luck!
WEBINAR: Submissions open for Show Don’t Tell LIVE (FREE)
17 November 2020. Members are invited to submit problem passages to be workshopped by superstar editor Rebecca Horsfall LIVE in this webinar. This session was a huge hit at the Summer Festival of Writing and this is your chance to see it applied to your own work. Submit a page of your writing to submissions@jerichowriters.com with the subject line: SHOW DON’T TELL LIVE.
This week at Jericho Writers
REPLAY: Seven productivity myths (FREE for members)
What’s stopping you from writing? Join Becca Syme, Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and Author Success Coach, to find out how you can boost your productivity and keep writing this month.
BLOG: How to create character arcs – New!
This new blog from Dr Sharon Zink is – in my opinion – one the most important you’ll read when starting on a new story of any kind. Read it, download the free worksheet, and see how a plot can be born from character!
AGENT ONE-TO-ONE SESSIONS are back!
Want to get direct feedback on your work from industry experts? Book a fifteen-minute phone call with one of our top literary agents. We have a brand new selection, but hurry – these always sell out quickly!
Top tips for NaNoWriMo (from someone who has done it)
Writing a novel in a month sounds a little bit impossible. Really though, it’s a way of setting a goal and connecting with people who share that target, in the hope you can all help each other smash it.
I did NaNoWriMo in 2012 with a book that I wanted to write but kept putting off due to work and social commitments. Joining NaNoWriMo connected me with an international base of writers who were all stupid enough to try to do the same thing. We found each other online and in-person (back when such a thing was possible). I made friends, swapped ideas and moaned about how difficult it was, to people who understood.
So the first tip – connect with people who are also doing NaNoWriMo. We have a group you can join for free in the Townhouse. You can also join the hashtag #NaNoWriMo on social media – especially on Twitter – where you’ll find people setting writing sprints and celebrating each other’s word counts.
The next tip is to give yourself a break. Life will at some point get in the way and interrupt your word count. Don’t let that stop you. Keep going. Try to catch up another day. Reward yourself with treats, exercise and other fun stuff.
It feels wonderful to watch your word count go up and up in November. Don’t worry if those words are awful – this is very much the point of NaNoWriMo. Write words without worry. Get your ideas down. Making them make sense is December’s problem…
Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year? Then join the Townhouse for free and say hello in the NaNoWriMo group!
Sarah J x
Plus, don’t miss:
Self-Edit Your Novel tutored course bursary now open
Entries are now open for the already sold-out Self-Edit Your Novel tutored course in January with Debi Alper. All under-represented writers are invited to apply for this free place.
Manuscript Assessment (Discounts available for members)
Our most popular editorial service matches you to your dream editor and gives you tailored feedback on your work. It doesn’t get better than that.
Complete Novel Mentoring (Discounts available for members)
Write or edit your book alongside one of our expert mentors, including multi-bestselling authors and commissioning editors.
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