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Will you or won’t you Na-No-Wri-Mo? Here’s something for both sides.

Will you or won’t you Na-No-Wri-Mo? Here’s something for both sides.

The Artdog Image of Interest  Will you or won’t you? Here’s one more thought as we approach National Novel-Writing Month, AKA Na-No-Wri-Mo. Remember: one week from today, it starts!  Some of my friends enjoy the challenge and find it motivating. But I have to admit that this cartoon character’s response is usually my strategy: This is because I write slowly. The “will you or won’t you” writer who answers “yes” writes fast. Na-No-Wri-Mo is for people who prefer to get it all…

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It’s getting on toward time. Are you ready?

It’s getting on toward time. Are you ready?

The Artdog Image of Interest  Are you ready? Each year in November, it’s National Novel-Writing Month, AKA Na-No-Wri-Mo. Each year in October, I consider participating. Will this be the year?  For those who do plan to leap in, It’s a good idea to plan ahead. It’s not “cheating” to think about the project in October (or earlier). Do some research. Get thoughts about worldbuilding, character-creation, and other aspects of the story well in mind before the writing starts. It’s not even cheating…

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Retreat to Paradise Point

Retreat to Paradise Point

I’m writing this post from the edge of Table Rock Lake, in the Hollister, MO area, at a resort managed by Bluegreen Vacations called Paradise Point. I’m enjoying a mini-writing retreat there with my friend Dora Furlong, who set up this trip. Here’s the view (across an arm of Table Rock Lake) from our balcony at Paradise Point. Neither of us is officially participating in Na-No-Wri-Mo, but both of us are trying to make progress on our current projects. And what a beautiful setting for our efforts! The physical beauty of the land…

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Perfectly set up for Na-No-Wri-Mo

Perfectly set up for Na-No-Wri-Mo

It occurred to me the other day that I’ve got not one, but two projects ideally set up for a Na-No-Wri-Mo style writing blitz On the eve of the event itself, no less! If ever there were a year when I was perfectly set to participate, this is it. What is “Na-No-Wri-Mo“? you may ask. That is short for “National Novel-Writing Month.” It’s an annual event, held November 1-30 of each year. Participants attempt to write 50,000 words or more in a month (50,000 words is the minimum length for a novel, according…

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The next battle

The next battle

The Artdog Image of Interest If you’re tired of Na-No-Wri-Mo posts, I’m sorry–gonna inflict at least one more on you. Because once you get to a certain point in your writing, it’s time to–GASP!–show it to someone else!! It’s pretty scary, because even after all that work, it’s inevitable that it’s not perfect. Gotta be done. Find someone you trust and hand it over. It’s What Has to Happen Next, on the writer’s journey. Good luck! IMAGE: Once again, I’m grateful to the wonderful Debbie Ridpath Ohi and her web comic…

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Making a good finish of it

Making a good finish of it

November–and Na-No-Wri-Mo (National Novel Writing Month) is almost over. A lot of people will be trying their best to close in on 50,000 words by midnight tomorrow. To cheer them on, today’s post is a collection of wisdom about FINISHING. A 50,000-word manuscript that has a beginning, middle, and end technically qualifies as a novel, in some genres. For my particular genre, science fiction, the contemporary normal finished length is 90,000-120,000 words, so 50,000 words will get you maybe about halfway there. But no matter how you slice it, 50,000 words…

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The finish line is in sight!

The finish line is in sight!

The Artdog Quote of the Week Hang in there, Na-No-Wri-Mo (National Novel Writing Month) participants! You’re almost there! Even if you’re not shooting for 50,000 words this month or participating in any kind of contest or event, this is still immensely helpful advice. IMAGE: Many thanks to GoTeenWriters and James Scott Bell for this wise and timely advice!

How’s the writing coming along?

How’s the writing coming along?

The Artdog Image of Interest We’re about halfway through Na-No-Wri-Mo (National Novel Writing Month). Time to check in, again . . . Whether you’re participating in Na-No-Wri-Mo or not, I hope your creative endeavors (whatever they may be) are going well. The creative process always involves frustration–but don’t let that stop you! Keep going! IMAGE: Many thanks to Debbie Ridpath Ohi, her ongoing comic “Will Write For Chocolate,” and her Twitter feed for this image. It’s always a pleasure, “Inky Elbows”!

Writing is like . . .

Writing is like . . .

The Artdog Quote of the Week Especially for the “pantser,” I think: If you’re one of the brave souls who are persisting in the creative challenge to participate in Na-No-Wri-Mo (National Novel Writing Month), then you’ve already long since figured out this aspect of your writing process. To all writers everywhere, Good luck, and keep writing! IMAGE: Many thanks to Writing Sisters and E.L. Doctorow for this week’s quotation image.

Characters

Characters

The Artdog Image of Interest  Think of it as a casting call . . . As a tribute to all the writers brave enough to take the Na-No-Wri-Mo (National Novel Writing Month) challenge, I’ve dedicated most of this month’s Quotes and Images of Interest to observations about the writing craft. IMAGE: Many thanks for this week’s image to Tom Gauld, a wonderful comics artist whose work I encourage you to explore!