Happy NaNoWriMo to all who are participating! For the uninitiated, that’s National Novel Writing Month, where intrepid writers try to complete a novel in a month.
It is quite a feat to write a novel entirely, let alone in a thirty day month that also includes a major holiday.
I’ve never participated in NaNoWriMo. It’s just not how I write. I’m capable of writing fairly quickly (I wrote all three Jacob Wonderbar novels in about six months each), but I don’t write every day and outside deadlines tend to stress me out more than they help me be productive.
But I know lots of people who have participated, and some very successful books have emerged from NaNoWriMo. To each their own!
If you’re not a fast writer: don’t let the fast ones psych you out. If you are a fast writer: don’t let any raised eyebrows get to you. And sometimes you can be a fast writer in one phase of your life and a slow one in another.
There’s no right or wrong way to write a novel. Find the writing style that works best for you. The most important thing is to just make forward progress.
It’s not a race, and all speeds are welcome.
Need help with your book? I’m available for manuscript edits, query critiques, and coaching!
For my best advice, check out my online classes (NEW!), my guide to writing a novel and my guide to publishing a book.
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Art: Albert Edelfelt – Lady Writing a Letter
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