nanowrimo

March Recap

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This month was a little mixed after the euphoria of finishing my draft. I left the manuscript to steep for a while because I was taking a course, and wanted to give it my full attention

The first draft didn’t fair so well. It wasn’t that it was a bad story, it just wasn’t the right story. I had a big AHA moment about the whole series so it changes things in terms of structure. That isn’t a bad thing, it just means I’ve had to take a few steps back.

 

And of course, Spring has sprung and my granddaughter celebrated her 16th birthday on International Women’s day. Our mimosa (the symbol for the day) has almost had it’s day but has been beautiful, despite the snow! I cannot wait to see and hug my family again.

 

 

 

Books Read This Month

Here are the titles I’ve read this month, a more fiction than non-fiction. Any recommendations are welcome!

  • The Night Raven by Sarah Painter
  • Echoes of the Gidat by Eme Savage
  • Mistress of Masks by C Greenwood
  • Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski
  • Structuring Your Novel (finished up) K M Weiland
  • Beautiful Demons Box Set Books 1-3 by Sarra Cannon – just started.

Stories Published

I decided not to publish any short stories for the time being. It’s not attracting much attention and it takes quite a lot of time. But… I have had book one of the Luna Legends proofed and I’ve sourced a cover – well several to choose from – so I’m going to be launching it very shortly. I’ve also changed the title (it was Wolf Moon) as part of my series AHA moment. All will be revealed. So watch this space.

Goals Update

I continue to make great progress with my goals using the HB90 system. As this blog is published I actually have started Quarter 2 which is amazing and we’ve yet again entered full lockdown as Italy (and lots of Europe) are experiencing the third wave of the pandemic. And don’t mention the vaccination programme. Still, plenty to keep me going.

Goal 1 Writing and Editing

  • Edited Book 1 for publication
  • Plans made for Q2 which included participating in NaNoWrimo
  • Reviewed Season 1 of Luna Legends series

Goal 2 Publishing and Promotion

  • Completed Publish and Thrive Course – which has generated a load of actions and a strategy to go forward.
  • Prepped Book 1 for Publication and sourced a cover

Goal 3 Healthy Writing Habits

  • I started monitoring my mood again and there are more smileys than others
  • Completed the #vss365 challenge every day and published them on Twitter. In fact I’ve managed to complete this challenge for most days of this quarter and penned over 3400 words!

As well as my writing I’m trying to pinch a little part of the day playing around on Procreate, a drawing app on the iPad. I created this, with a lot of help from Art With Flo, for #EarthHour day which also fell on what would have been my Dad’s 87th birthday. I so miss him still.

This month was the hardest yet, a combination of things beyond my control sent me into a bit of spin to be honest. But I’m back at the desk and even more determined to work my way through the mire of being an Authorpreneur. I will do it.

Hope you’ve had some successes this month, would love to hear about them.

Ciao

 

Writing Goals: November

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It’s that time of the month again…planning goals for the next four months ahead. November is an easy month, in terms of choosing my goals. But first, lets see how I got on last month *takes a deep breath*

 😉 Sketch out two more Wolf Moon sequels – for development as NaNo project #1 – I decided early on in the month only to concentrate on one NaNo project. As usual, I set myself up to fail before I’ve begun. But I have given some thought to the sequel of Wolf Moon, made a third edit following a Beta Read and planning it’s publication.

 😎 Revisit snowflake for Rainbow Chronicles – this will be my NaNo project and I’ve spent most of the month getting to know my characters, sketching out the world they occupy and having too many ideas!

😛 Schedule responses to #FantasyWiPOctober – the first time I’ve ever completed one of these Instagram challenges and I’ve met some wonderful people along the way, and increased my followers by 200!

So can you tell what my intended goals for this month are yet? There is just one.

✔ Participate in National Write A Novel in a Month Challenge – my umpteenth year and I don’t think I’ve ever been so prepared. So the idea is to write 50k – or more – within the month. I might also use the Flash NaNo Competition as a bit of inspiration but we’ll see.

Writing isn’t about the end product, not always anyway. If you’ve ever dream of writing but think you can’t do it… I say you can. Dare to dream big. All you need is a pen and paper or laptop, a sprinkling of inspiration and a bucketful of motivation and you’ll do it. I know, because I have. Follow your dreams.

And if you are taking part in NaNo and have registered on their site, let me know your username, or send me a buddy request – I’m ‘The Duchessa’. See you on the other side!

 

 

This Months Goals: October

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Aarrghh… can’t believe we’re into October already! Though Autumn is my absolutely favourite season and NaNoWriMo is approaching so excited all round! How did I fair in September, I wonder…

😋 3rd Edit of Wolf Moon – yay! And gone to for Beta Reading

😉 Rainbow Warriors review – I’ve done a lot on this and… the story has already changed, but for the    better I believe

😥 Partake in a couple of writers challenges – nope, I couldn’t keep up with this. I need to accept my planner affliction and well… get them planned in advance

😁 Daily Writing Prompts Monday to Friday – 18 out of 20 and I did some extra scribbles now and again. This is becoming a habit… think three months and it’s hard wired.

😎 Update my journal ‘First Draft in 30 days’ to market for NaNoWrimo – and it’s a yes… need more work on the marketing side.

So for October – as I’ve mentioned, NaNoWriMo starts in November so a lot of this month will be spent preparing for that…

The Big Stuff

 

✔ Sketch out two more Wolf Moon sequels – for development as NaNo project #1

✔ Revisit snowflake for Rainbow Chronicles – NaNo project #2

✔ Schedule responses to #FantasyWiPOctober – did I mention I’ve passed 500 followers on Instagram! So chuffed and will be working hard to make new connections… you can follow me here

And it would be nice:
  • to pick up my keyboard practice… haven’t done any since April
  • to resume my Italian listening skills practice
  • to get out on the bikes and make it to a cafe for coffee!

What are you planning to get done this month?

Getting Your Story Down

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Reader Alert… this is a marketing post about a new journal I’ve just published. So if you’re not interested please feel free to walk on by 😉

It’s said everyone has a story in them. But not everyone can translate that story onto the page. First Draft in One Month guided journal is ideal for anyone struggling to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), for new writers and as well as those who have a bit of history.

The first draft is just getting the story down. It’s the beginning, not the end, and can easily be done within a month with a little preparation. Whether you’re participating in a write a novel in a month challenge, or thinking about your goals in the near future. Whether you are a panster,  a planner or somewhere in between, this journal is designed to help you do that.

Filled with plenty of space, lined and plain, to scribble, doodle, sketch and write, First Draft in One Month also includes:

Preparing your story writing month

  • Brainstorming Ideas
  • Defining key characters
  • Sketching out a plot
  • Thinking about scenes and story lines

Advice and suggestions for managing your life during your writing month

  • A Meal Planner to save time and ensure energy
  • Creating play lists to stir your imagination
  • Garnering friends and family support
  • A calendar for clearing your desk and your mind

Resources to manage your writing month

  • A motivational word tracker
  • 31 writing prompts to spur you on if you get stuck
  • Suggestions for clearing your head for writing sessions
  • Suggestions for what happens after ‘The End’

 

Monthly Goals: September

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So how did I do last month? August is always a tricky one with visitors and the heat. I didn’t have the first excuse this year for the first time in many…😌 apart from the one month a year neighbours.

😊Complete Wolf Moon – this target was my priority and I just hit it as the sun went down on the 31st August. Feeling rather chuffed!

😉Continue with the 15 minute prompts – five days a week which totalled 22 in the month and I managed 19… not a bad return and they did help with #1 target

😊Social Media posts planning for October – writing quotes and prompts are scheduled and I’ve now reached over 400 followers on Instagram… not sure if that’s a good thing or not!

So, being realistic with my goals for last month meant I was able to get them all done, which is a great feeling… here are this months:

The Big Stuff

✔ 3rd Edit of Wolf Moon for line editing via table for me and to Kindle for Simon to read *eeek*

✔ Rainbow Warriors review – start a bullet journal in preparation for NaNoWrimo

✔ Partake in a couple of writers challenges (post everyday in response to a task) probably #Writer Warriors and #FantasyWiPSeptember

✔ Daily Writing Prompts Monday – Friday – I’d really like to keep this up. It’s good for my soul

✔ Update my journal ‘First Draft in 30 days’ to market for NaNoWrimo

and in between

  • Research editor for final draft Wolf Moon
  • Social Media Posts for November
  • Submit Italian Tax Returns!

Let me know what you plan to get up to!