Friday, October 31, 2014

NaNoWriMo: Opening Post, Some Useful Links & a Giveaway!!








 As many of you know, November is National Novel Writing Month! This year, for the first time, I'm participating in NaNoWriMo, and I'm so pumped to get going.  I know that life tends to creep up during the onset of the holidays, but I'm hoping to really make a go of achieving my goal!

It's all in good fun, though---if I reach the finish line or not, I think if I reach even a quarter of the way to 50k, I'll just be super proud that I got back to writing.  I've always loved it, since I was just a tiny third grader and I had this wonderful teacher that saw something in my storytelling and gave me such wonderful encouragement.  I've had a few more amazing writing teachers throughout my life since then, and I have all of them to thank for instilling the love of the written word in me!  I also have to give a shout out to my sometimes-co-blogger Amy. She is the one who pushed me to get off my butt and take on the challenge this year!  She is participating, too---so wish us both luck! :D

So obviously, I'm going to be throwing myself into this full force---and that means the blog will be a bit quieter for the month of November.  I don't plan on reading or reviewing this month so that I can really focus on my own story.  I do have one review that is already scheduled, and the November release list tomorrow, oh and I will probably pop in once in a while with a book haul or WoW post, but other than that, I'll be a bit scarce!

If you're taking on NaNoWriMo this year as well, I wish you the absolute best of luck and lots and lots of WORDS and beautiful PROSE flowing fast and freely from your fingertips! :D
I've started a Pinterest board with lots of great links and writerly quotes but here's a direct link to one great resource that I especially love:
Her blog has pages and pages of fantastic writing wisdom.

Also, I've teamed up with Sourcebooks to offer a giveaway of the newly updated version of this great book!
 

•US/CAN address only please
•Ends 11/10/14
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The author, Regina Brooks, is also running a YA Discovery Contest during November!  Those who submit the first 250 words of their novel can win the chance to have their manuscript read by her literary agency, and top YA editors in the industry.  Find out more here!

Here are two more books I love for great writing tips and sparking creativity:
  
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17018531-writing-irresistible-kidlithttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15842650-wonderbook?from_search=true

 And lastly!! If you are participating this year, I'd love to be one of your writing buddies!
Let's cheer each other on! :D

12 comments :

  1. ^ I have a copy of that book you have up for grabs (different edition) It's pretty good - lots of top tips! Good lucky with NaNo! I hope it goes better for me than it did last year when I had a complete fail!

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  2. I'm glad you are participating! Me too! I will have to find you on there so we can be writing buddies. Good luck!

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  3. Morgan @ Gone with the WordsNovember 3, 2014 at 9:49 AM

    I love the covers of those writing books! And thanks for all the great links and tips, Susan Dennard writes the BEST tips! Good luck with NaNoWriMo, this is my third year but I've never won! I got 12K the first year and barely 3K last year because I started a week late (honeymoon!) and got overwhelmed. On track now and determined to do my best! It really is a lot of fun and gets me back to writing too. I'll be sure to add you!

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  4. Morgan @ Gone with the WordsNovember 3, 2014 at 9:51 AM

    So I added you and read your novel description!!! I haven't read The Seven Ravens but the words dark, high fantasy retelling absolutely sold me. You have to finish so I can read it! :) Hehe.

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  5. I have a copy, too, but honest, most of the awesome ah-ha moments I've had so far come from reading the tips on Susan Dennard's site! Good luck to you, too, Leanna!

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  6. I'm glad to see so many blog friends participating! That's so exciting!! WE CAN DO IT! :D Or do our very best at least! haha..

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  7. What a lovely reason for only writing 3K last year, Morgan! :D Thanks for adding me!

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  8. Thanks, Morgan! I'm glad you like the idea. It was the strangest thing, the story idea literally sort of fell into my lap! I've always wanted to write a retelling so I'm hoping it goes well---of course, even if I don't finish during Nano, I plan to keep writing! Your idea sounds like so much fun, and a fun story to write! Love all things Sleepy Hollow and Halloween, plus I'm a huge fan of Hocus Pocus! Good luck, Morgan!

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  9. Ohh, yay :D You are awesome. <3 I hope NaNoWriMo will be all kinds of awesome for you :D Best of luck Becky. <3 and thank you for sharing about it :) I don't write anything, but maybe someday.

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  10. Aw, yay!! I hope you're making good progress! :D I definitely creeped on your profile and oh my gosh, your novel sound so good, just from that!! Keep going, keep going! :D

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  11. As much as you love books, Carina, I am sure you would write something absolutely amazing!

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  12. Thanks for the encouragement, Rachel!! It is a pretty short description on there LOL, I should really flesh that out a bit more! But your excitement definitely helps push me on!!

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