Write Now Coach! Blog by Rochelle Melander

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... Read More

05 Nov 2013

Write Now! Weekly Writing Tip

#NaNoWriMo Rescue: Try Exercise! By Rochelle Melander

I’m not talking about running or practicing yoga, though exercise and other repetitive tasks (folding towels or knitting) can help you overcome writer’s block. I’m talking about using one of those books of writing exercises you bought for a class or at a writing conference and never looked at. As... Read More

01 Nov 2013

National Novel Writing Month

Doing #NaNoWriMo by the Numbers by Rill

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... Read More

30 Oct 2013

National Novel Writing Month

Wednesday Writing Prompt: Plotting Your #NaNoWriMo Book by Rochelle Melander

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... Read More

29 Oct 2013

National Novel Writing Month, Write Now! Weekly Writing Tip

How to Build Your Own #NaNoWriMo Challenge by Rochelle Melander

Every November thousands of otherwise normal people give up their spare time and write a 50,000-word novel in a month. The challenge is called National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo for short. Some participants are published writers who do this every day on their own but appreciate the camaraderie. Others are... Read More

25 Oct 2013

Writers Read

Writers Read: 5 Best Indie Fantasy Books by S.M. Boyce

I grew up on fantasy novels like L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time and Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Just a few weeks ago, I cozied up with Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (amazing!). This post reminds me that it might be time for me to... Read More

22 Oct 2013

National Novel Writing Month, Write Now! Weekly Writing Tip

How to Have Fun AND Create Amazing Characters by Rochelle Melander

Dear Writers, It’s time to plan for National Novel Writing Month, and I can help! Tomorrow at the Write Now! Mastermind class, I’ll be talking to Angela Ackerman about building great characters. If you’re not signed up yet, you can do so here. If you need even more help, check... Read More

18 Oct 2013

National Novel Writing Month

Building Authentic Heroes by Angela Ackerman

Are you ready to NaNo? If not, I can help! Next week, I’ll be welcoming Angela Ackerman to the Write Now! Mastermind class to talk about Character Creation: Forging an Unforgettable Hero. We’ll meet next Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 12:00 PM CDT (Think Chicago) to talk about building great characters. If you’re not... Read More