Writing a Novel
Advice on the unique challenges of starting to write a novel, and seeing it through completion.
How to Organize a NaNoWriMo Write-In
Maybe you're a first-time municipal liaison, or maybe you just want to be a bigger part of NaNoWriMo in your area. As About.com readers attest, with a little advance planning, it's easy to create a fun and productive event. People are waiting to get on board where NaNoWriMo is concerned.
Maybe you're a first-time municipal liaison, or maybe you just want to be a bigger part of NaNoWriMo in your area. As About.com readers attest, with a little advance planning, it's easy to create a fun and productive event. People are waiting to get on board where NaNoWriMo is concerned.
Dispatches from a "Rocky" NaNoWriMo Write-In
Austin wrimos proved they can go the distance with a NaNoWriMo write-in at Mt. Bonnell.
Austin wrimos proved they can go the distance with a NaNoWriMo write-in at Mt. Bonnell.
Scenes from the Austin "Rocky" NaNoWriMo Write-In
Writer and photographer Deanna Roy reports on the Austin, Texas, NaNoWriMo "Rocky" Write-In.
Writer and photographer Deanna Roy reports on the Austin, Texas, NaNoWriMo "Rocky" Write-In.
NaNoWriMo Tips
Has it suddenly occurred to you that writing a novel in a month is insane? Has your plot petered out or just gotten weird? What kind of music should you listen to? How much should you plan? In the generous -- and lighthearted -- spirit of the event, veteran wrimos share their favorite NaNoWriMo tips and secrets.
Has it suddenly occurred to you that writing a novel in a month is insane? Has your plot petered out or just gotten weird? What kind of music should you listen to? How much should you plan? In the generous -- and lighthearted -- spirit of the event, veteran wrimos share their favorite NaNoWriMo tips and secrets.
Profile of Chris Baty
Chris Baty believes that everyone has a novel in them, and he helps prove this theory every year with National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), a yearly event he began in 1999.
Chris Baty believes that everyone has a novel in them, and he helps prove this theory every year with National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), a yearly event he began in 1999.
How to Write a Novel
Though there are no hard and fast rules for how to get from first draft to bookstore shelf, these tips will guide you through this most labor-intensive craft.
Though there are no hard and fast rules for how to get from first draft to bookstore shelf, these tips will guide you through this most labor-intensive craft.
Review of "No Plot? No Problem!"
Designed to help "one day" novelists become bona fide writers, Chris Baty's "No Plot? No Problem!" provides prospective NaNoWriMos with an exuberant road map for their month at the keyboard.
Designed to help "one day" novelists become bona fide writers, Chris Baty's "No Plot? No Problem!" provides prospective NaNoWriMos with an exuberant road map for their month at the keyboard.
Five Tips to Avoiding Total Disaster as a Novelist
Kris Saknussemm, author of Zanesville: A Novel, offers his advice on making it as a novelist, cautioning against filling notebooks with useless information and advising writers to be unreasonable.
Kris Saknussemm, author of Zanesville: A Novel, offers his advice on making it as a novelist, cautioning against filling notebooks with useless information and advising writers to be unreasonable.
Six Signs Your Story Wants to Be a Novel
Does your story beg for more pages? These points will help you evaluate whether or not to expand your story into a novel.
Does your story beg for more pages? These points will help you evaluate whether or not to expand your story into a novel.
The Fiction Editor, the Novel, and the Novelist
Thomas McCormack, the former CEO and editorial director of St. Martin's Press and author of The Fiction Editor, the Novel, and the Novelist, shares publishing stories and advice on getting your novel into the right hands.
Thomas McCormack, the former CEO and editorial director of St. Martin's Press and author of The Fiction Editor, the Novel, and the Novelist, shares publishing stories and advice on getting your novel into the right hands.
Is Your Idea Novel-Worthy?
If you're going to commit years of your life to a project, you obviously want to be sure that it's worth it. So how do you know if your idea is novel-worthy? A few questions will help you decide.
If you're going to commit years of your life to a project, you obviously want to be sure that it's worth it. So how do you know if your idea is novel-worthy? A few questions will help you decide.
Testing New Ideas: A Simple Strategy
How do you know if your idea is compelling? Robert McKee, in his book, Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting, has this tip for testing out a new idea.
How do you know if your idea is compelling? Robert McKee, in his book, Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting, has this tip for testing out a new idea.
Quick Tip -- Idea Box
One way to ensure that you always have a place to turn for new ideas is to keep a box or notebook for phrases, conversations, or images that inspire you.
One way to ensure that you always have a place to turn for new ideas is to keep a box or notebook for phrases, conversations, or images that inspire you.
Profile of National Novel Writing Month
Every November, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) spurs writers all over the world to write -- or at least attempt to write -- an entire novel in one month. Founded in Oakland, CA, NaNoWriMo not only encourages writers to tackle a big project, but also raises money for children's libraries in Southeast Asia.
Every November, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) spurs writers all over the world to write -- or at least attempt to write -- an entire novel in one month. Founded in Oakland, CA, NaNoWriMo not only encourages writers to tackle a big project, but also raises money for children's libraries in Southeast Asia.
Catherine Wald Discusses Her Book, The Resilient Writer
If nothing else, novelists must be resilient. The act of creating something as complicated and challenging as a novel requires not only passion, but endurance. Here, Catherine Wald discusses her book, The Resilient Writer: Tales of Rejection and Triumph from 23 Top Authors.
If nothing else, novelists must be resilient. The act of creating something as complicated and challenging as a novel requires not only passion, but endurance. Here, Catherine Wald discusses her book, The Resilient Writer: Tales of Rejection and Triumph from 23 Top Authors.
Scenes from National Novel Writing Month Write-In
See what National Novel Writing Month is all about with these pictures from a NYC write-in.
See what National Novel Writing Month is all about with these pictures from a NYC write-in.
Desperation Libation -- NaNoWriMo NYC 2007
It's four hours until midnight, and a few writers are determined to finish their 50,000-word novels.
It's four hours until midnight, and a few writers are determined to finish their 50,000-word novels.
Austin National Novel Writing Month Nature Write-In
For the 2007 National Novel Writing Month in Austin, Texas, photographer and writer Deanna Roy led a group of writers down to a hidden waterfall for a nature write-in. Check out her amazing photos and read about the event here.
For the 2007 National Novel Writing Month in Austin, Texas, photographer and writer Deanna Roy led a group of writers down to a hidden waterfall for a nature write-in. Check out her amazing photos and read about the event here.