3 November 2015 Note From Rochelle Dear Writers, Are you in? NaNoWriMo started yesterday, and I’ve been shuffling my schedule to make extra time to write each day. I’m not writing a novel this year. Instead, I’m finally writing a nonfiction book I’ve been thinking about (and jotting down notes for) for years. Today’s...Read More
October 13, 2015 Note From Rochelle Dear Writers, Last week’s newsletter was filled with … broken links! I’m sorry about that! For those of you who’d like to finish a book before the year ends, I’ve created a special Write-A-Thon class. We’ll be focusing on writing short nonfiction books that you can use to boost your business....Read More
Dear Writers, I can’t believe it: National Novel Writing Month starts Saturday. And if you’re way behind in planning, I have a treat for you. For today’s tip, I’m featuring an article by acclaimed mystery novelist Jessica Lourey that will give you everything you need to plan your novel for November. And if you’re in the...Read More
I have a bad habit: saying yes. Sometimes I agree to do things—volunteer my time, write stuff, make food—and later regret it. When Brené Brown talks about setting boundaries, she uses this mantra: “Choose discomfort over resentment.” Wow. I love that! And I need it—especially if I plan to complete National Novel Writing Month this...Read More
You’re at a networking event. (Maybe you’re an introverted writer who avoids any group gathering with strangers, but work with me here.) While chatting over wine and cheese, someone who knows you’re a writer asks you, “So what are you working on now?” My advice? Make something up. Don’t ever tell people what you’re working...Read More
Write the book you want to read, the one you cannot find. —Carol Shields About a year ago, Louise Penny came to Boswell Book Company to launch her mystery, How the Light Gets In, the ninth book in her wildly successful Inspector Armand Gamache series. She told us that after facing five years of...Read More
I’m delighted to welcome back to the blog fellow writer Jocelyn Koehler. Because she’s a professional writer—and very dedicated to her work—she cranks out an amazing number of words every single day. Read what she says about the never-ending #NaNo journey! Enjoy, Rochelle, the Write Now! Coach The #NaNo that Never Ends by Jocelyn Koehler...Read More
The past is never dead. It’s not even past. —William Faulkner Before you freak out and say—“What, I’m doing National Novel Writing Month! I have thousands of words to write, why would I rewrite any one of them!”—notice that I did not say revise. Do not review a scene and revise what you have written...Read More
The course of Nanowrimo writers never does run smooth. —Lysander, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, paraphrase If I write 1,667 words a day beginning today, I will complete National Novel Writing Month on November 30 with ten words to spare. I never write exactly 1667 words each day. My first day of writing may total 2,000 words and...Read More
Are you a plotter or pantser? Plotters plan out the scenes in their novels, pantsers fly by the seat of their pants. The saying comes from aviation. One can fly a plane two ways: using one’s instruments or using one’s instincts. Every year during NaNo, participants claim one or the other. I encourage you to...Read More
