• We've compiled some tips on how to keep your head in the game during this year's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo): 1. Only end a writing sesh when..

    Stay On Track During NaNoWriMo 

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    National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an annual event in which participants commit to writing a 50,000-word novel during the month of November. It began in 1999 as a challenge between friends, but it’s since grown into a global writing challenge with hundreds of thousands of participants each year. We’ve compiled some tips on how to keep your head in the game during this year’s NaNoWriMo. Disconnect. You know how people always say you need to unplug to be productive? Well, they’re annoyingly right. Turn off the TV, cellphone, stay away from the internet, all of it. If you need…

  • After reading an intense, significant scene, readers might need a little breather (scene break). Here are 4 other times to use a scene break in your novel..

    When to Use a Scene Break

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    Did you know the symbol—most commonly three asterisks—inserted between sections of text to break the scene is called a dinkus? Scene breaks serve many purposes, but one reason it’s used is to give readers a breather. Imagine reading an intense scene that holds a lot of significance, but the chapter doesn’t end when the scene ends. You’d need a little breather, right? That’s what the dinkus—or scene break—provides. Here are four other times to use a scene break. 1. When you want to transition from a present-day narrative to a flashback. A scene break is a useful writing tool when…

  • Thousands have credited NaNoWriMo in helping them finish a writing project. Here are 10 ways you can get a jump start and be prepared for NaNoWriMo...

    10 Ways to Prepare for NaNoWriMo

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    We’re a few weeks out from the biggest novel writing challenge of the year: National Novel Writing Month! Every November, writers from around the world dedicate themselves to cranking out a 50,000-word first draft manuscript in 30 days. Tons of writers have gone on to publish their books after the challenge, and thousands have credited the process to help them finish a writing project that’s been sitting on their hearts for years. If this is the year you’ve decided to write your novel, you still have plenty of time to finish the first draft before the end of the year,…

  • Most write goals down for the new year and forget all about them a few months later. Here are some ways to set some new, attainable goals & stick to them...

    Writing Smart Goals for the Month

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    You don’t have to wait for a new year, month, or week to start to make some new smart goals. The beginning of a new year makes many of us feel like we need to write down huge dreams and goals for the year, but come March or April we probably fall off track. But have no fear, today is a great day to set some new, attainable goals for this month. Here are some ideas to get you started: 6 Goals to Set This Month 1. Set a reading challenge on Goodreads. This challenge lets you set how many…