November is National Novel Writing Month, and it’s a blast! I love the challenge of writing a 50k-word novel in a month, and nanowrimo.org makes the process fun by awarding badges and bringing writing communities together.
Ready to take on National Novel Writing Month? Read on! In this post, I’ll talk about how I prep for NaNoWriMo and provide you with my top two books on writing that I’ve found incredibly useful.
While I love October and spend most of it celebrating Halloween all month long, I also begin my NaNoWriMo prep. I’ve participated every year since 2018 (the same year I wrote my first novel)! During this time, I reread parts of my favorite writing books, stick with my daily writing routine, and read tons of books.
Every year since 2018’s National Novel Writing Month, I’ve dabbled trying to stretch out a few short stories into novels. However, none of them have gripped me like my first novel (which I’m still meticulously editing). For this year, I’m focusing on story ideas I’ve stashed away that I’ve always wanted to try. As usual, I’m going for something supernatural with a handful of tortured monsters (I can’t help myself).
Recommended Writing Books for National Novel Writing Month
Here are my two favorite writing books I highly recommend. These books are perfect for the seasoned writer or newbie. Check them out!
This book is a treasure trove of the how-tos for every single element of creative writing. The story excerpts and exercises are invaluable. I swear that I’ve learned more in Chapter 5: Why You Need to Show and Tell than I did in all the writing courses, I took as an undergraduate. If you love creative writing and want a resource you can dive into head first, order yours today!
My #1 go-to for fiction writing. I came across this book over five years ago, and since then, it’s remained in my “reading pile” on my bedside table. I can’t count how many times I’ve read this book; each chapter is precious. If you’re looking for a book that provides short chapters and short writing practices, this book is for you!
I hope you find these writing books as helpful as I have for National Novel Writing Month. And if you’d like to recommend some of your favorites, leave a comment below!
Did you enjoy this post? Please like and share or leave a comment below with feedback! I’d love to hear from you, and I wish you happy writing this National Novel Writing Month! I’m always looking for other writers. If you’ve got a profile on nanowrimo.org, feel free to connect with me today! My profile username is alinahappyhansen.
It was midafternoon when I popped in my wireless Bluetooth earbuds, blasted Depeche Mode, and walked to Trader Joe’s. The BF and I decided that a German potato salad on ciabatta buns sounded good for lunch, so I went hunting for bacon, a red onion, chocolate milk for him, and alcohol for me.
The wall of fog in the west has been creeping closer all day. It builds up higher and higher, creating a frothy foam on the bottom of the clear blue sky. A dramatic backdrop to the hills of buildings that dip and rise like rollercoaster rails.
The air nips and whips strands of loose hair around my head. I must keep my hair pulled back in a bun or plastic claw, or it’ll come alive in the wind and blind me. Sunglasses on, I squint, looking for a shady side of the street with taller buildings that can block out the wind and sun.
I’m still in love with SF and consider it a trillion times better than living in Utah. And I can’t believe I’ve lived here for over a year.
For once, TJ’s wasn’t packed with people in a hurry. The store’s speakers echoed old tunes; the layers between their music and DM’s cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes” created a comfortable sound wall-headspace so I could shop in peace.
It’s bittersweet shopping at TJ’s when it’s the closest option for affordable groceries.
Hand-basket contents: -one red onion -one half-gallon carton of chocolate milk -one box of green tea -seedless red grapes -4-pack of chocolate muffins (for the bf) -ciabatta buns -uncured no-sugar bacon
I wandered up and down the beer/wine aisle, trying to pick anything that isn’t a thirty-something-dollar bottle of gin (which is what I really want) or a weak <5% beer or cider. Not many German beers to choose from, which is what I would’ve preferred to pair with the potato salad, but that’s fine.
I settled on a 4-pack of sparkling Italian rosé (10% ABV), which is perfect since I found out a couple of nights ago that an 8% IPA doesn’t give me a buzz like it used to. The problem right now is that I’ve run out of gin, I’m working through a bottle of Kraken rum that tastes like candy, but I’ve been more in the mood for something bitter with a kick. But really, I just want more gin and can’t convince myself to spend the money on an entire bottle.
I’m going to start writing another novel this year. October will be my planning month, scribbling down ideas and playing with scenes, plots, and character descriptions. November, well, that’s National Novel Writing Month, so the plan is to write my novel then. I’ve completed NaNoWriMo before, but the last two times, I gave up on a story about a woman slowly losing her mind in a haunted apartment and traveling between two centuries. Before that, a bildungsroman about a 20-something guy with a mental illness who finds out his gay ex-girlfriend was murdered.
The last three months have been a slowdown period for me. I quit my full-time job, began freelancing more, and picked up two laid-back part-time jobs entirely different from what I’ve done for the last two years. I’m happy and in shock.
I hadn’t realized how depressed I was and how much I hated my job. Its negative impact on my mental health was so thorough I feel like I’ve crawled out of a six-foot-deep ditch. Working graveyard shifts from 7pm to 4am was melting my brain and ruining my health, and I figured out that working remotely full-time wasn’t good for me either. I need human interaction. Being isolated while having only a few hours of sunlight to feel like a human being pushed me to quit as soon as possible.
Now sleeping a total of eight hours at night, my mind is unclouded. I’m out in the city more, and I’ve lost weight (the heaviest I’ve ever been was working at home during the beginning of the pandemic).
I love being out, people-watching while I work in the city, and having evenings to spend with my BF when he comes home instead of squeezing in a “Hello” or “How was your day?” in a one-hour break before he would go to bed.
I’m healthier and happier but still combating the devastation of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Now with talk of a stupid National Abortion Ban bill, I know it’s just a matter of time before more rights are stripped away.
The rise of Fascism rooted in White Nationalism and Christianity in this country is a sickness. As time ticks by, I wonder how rotten things will really get.
My thoughts are on the women of Iran protesting for their freedom. My thoughts are on Ukraine and the Russians fleeing in fear of Putin. My thoughts are on Jackson, Mississippi. My thoughts are on Puerto Rico, and the list goes on…
I bought my groceries and sauntered home, letting the blustery wind cool me off. It’s a balancing act. Staying focused, calm, and grateful daily for food, shelter, and the privilege of living in SF. Some days are more complex than others because underneath it all, there’s this quiet current of decay that I feel pulsate through the country, reverberating across the globe. Is it my own decay that I’m projecting on the world?
More challenging times are ahead, or at least, that’s what I’ll always suspect.
I pull out my phone and switch to the playlist “The is The Cure.” I miss picking out CDs, searching for vinyl and inspecting the grooves, and going to bookstores or the library every week.
I cross California Street and analyze the tops of buildings, corners, and crevices. I don’t know anything about architecture, but I recognize the styles that resonate with me. I aim to capture just the bits and pieces of SF that stand out to me and put my haphazard collection on Insta. I can snap a shot of always on the lookout for a scene.
What’s my next novel going to be about? I’m not sure yet. Although I’ve been thinking about realistic fiction a lot lately, I don’t know how could I write anything and not let what’s happening bleed in one way or the other. I won’t stop it from happening, but what would it be like? Maybe I could attempt to capture the mood, the desperation, the fear of the unknown “What now?”
How can I write realistic fiction without my life bleeding into the story? What can a woman (an Atheist living a child-free life by choice) add to the conversation? I’ll let you know.
What I’m excited about: I’m going to My Chemical Romance next week in Oakland!
I have to confess when October was coming to a close, and I thought I would dive headfirst into writing a full-length novel for this year’s NaNoWriMo; boy, was I wrong.
I had no idea what I would write besides fiction, no plot, no character outline, and no idea what I was doing. Jumping into the deep end, it’s no wonder I quickly fell out of sync with working on my “novel.”
On top of everything else going on in the world, Salt Lake City, and my personal life, I figured out that I didn’t have the gumpf to write a novel right now; instead, I ended up writing a couple of short stories and a few poems.
What I do have written for this year’s NaNoWriMo (a measly 6k) could be a good start. Although I was trying not to write anything spooky, I get the impression; it will most likely be a psychological thriller/ghost story.
What else have I been up to?
I finished reading Lovecraft Country, and it was great! A fun read that had good plot twists and a range of captivating characters.
Moog Theremini
I bought one, finally, a theremin. After a few months of researching, I decided to get the Moog Theremini because it’s easy to tune, comes with a built-in speaker, and can connect easily with my DAW for recording. Plus, it has 32 presets of classic Moog synth sounds, which are excellent. This has been tons of fun learning how to play it and make some incredibly versatile sounds that I plan on using.
Murakami is probably one of the most talented contemporary writers in the world. His stories blend isolation and a hint of the otherworldly in his unique style.
I decided to pick up this chunky 600-something-page book and give it a shot. I’m already a sixth of the way through, and it’s an absorbing read. I’ve read other works by Murakami, but I can understand why this book is one people highly recommend when discussing his work.
Beta Reads
I am available for Beta Reads if anyone is looking for feedback on their poems, short stories, novellas, and novels. I read a slew of genres, including Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Romance, Literary, Mystery, Horror, and Thriller. Feel free to contact me through Fiverr if you’re interested in my services.
To my subscribers, expect more poems! I am dredging the hundreds of poems I’ve written and published on this blog. I’ve been handpicking select poems just for you while I brainstorm up writing tips. As usual, don’t hesitate to respond or strike up a conversation with me. I love discussing poetry, writing, and literature.
Yesterday was Election day, but because this year is weird and COVID-19 has changed how things are done, I think this turned into Election week.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been staying busy and staying home. Utah’s daily case counts have been steadily getting higher, and we’ve already had a few days where ten people die every day.
I finished Inktober. It was a lot of fun and an excellent way to keep my mind off the impending Election. And now, I’m going to stay busy by participating in NaNoWriMo this year.
For NaNoWriMo, I wanted to take a crack at general fiction, but with what I’ve written already, it looks like it’s going to be a ghost story. Of course.
This year has been brutal, and I feel like I’m running out of steam. I want it to be over. Emotionally drained, tired, and staying focused on work, that’s all I can do for now and make the best out of the rest of the year.
I’m accepting Beta Read inquiries if anyone has any short stories, novellas, or novels they need read and reviewed. I just finished conducting a Beta Read for a short story this week, and I have an open schedule for the rest of the month.
Dear Subscribers, This week’s newsletter did not go out but expect one on Monday! I am working on some poems, and I would like to write up a quick tip for writers.
I’d love to connect with other writers participating in NaNoWriMo this year, and I am looking for a writing buddy. Leave a comment or message me if you’re interested.
As usual, I’m open to recommended reading, articles, and writer’s resources if you have any you would love to share.
Have a wonderful day and stay safe out there, my friends!
November has flown by and I have failed NaNoWriMo this year. With only five days left of November, I have over twenty-five thousand words to write if I want to complete the challenge. My fiction piece ‘Jack’s Story’ is a baby, barely over seventeen-thousand words and full to the brim of unnecessary dialogue and weird scene cuts.
Am I okay with failing NaNoWriMo this year? Does it matter that I am giving up with five days left? (Hey, if I wrote five thousand words every day until November 30th, I may actually be able to complete the challenge) The answer: Yes, I am okay with failing, and No, I will not give up on ‘Jack’s Story’. It’s good, I think, and turning into an interesting crime/mystery/thriller. I do love my thrillers. It’s got a different flavor from my current novel that I have finished and I am polishing up with the intention of submitting to literary agents starting in January.
Even though November is ending fast, I am planning on finishing ‘Jack’s Story’ whenever that is, ideally by the end of the year. I can juggle working on My First Novel and this one. While I am working on these projects I am having fun reading a selection of books, right now those are,
It’s been a crazy month, but I am reading some great stuff, and making progress with my writing. I can only hope that my proactivity increases next year with the start of the new decade.
Thank you for reading this update, and thank you to all my followers that continue to keep up with my journey.
