This year marks the tenth anniversary of my first ever participation in NaNoWriMo.
For those of you who are unfamiliar, it’s short for National Novel Writing Month, and the goal is to write 50,000 words of a novel in 30 days. Seems daunting? It is. But it’s a good way to keep yourself writing.
This year, I have a title: Hand Me Down Murder; a basic plot: college freshman tries to find her older sister’s killer; and a few notes. Not to mention, I have a folder of writing tips: a handy plot outline by chapter guide and the NaNoWriMo Prep workbook.
Also, because I am obsessed with the program Canva, I created a book cover.
Starting November 1, I will start writing the story. Each week, I will give an update as to where I am, and share some details about the story.
Check back for updates.
November 1, 2022 - Day One
Although I will be giving weekly updates on the story, I wanted to start strong with a quick description of this book’s plot. Who knows where it will go, but so far, I know that this will be in the suspense genre.
The main character is Cassidy Harper, a freshman who’s been given a free ride on tuition at a university. The reason for that free ride? Her sister was murdered there. Cassidy has spent most of her life following in the footsteps of her older siblings, her life seems to be all laid out by her parents. But while she knows none of those roads will lead to her happiness, she doesn't really know what she wants to do with her life. One thing is for sure, she doesn't want to read her sister’s journal, even though she carries it around like a totem in her bag. Just knowing it was Camden’s journal is enough and makes her feel like she’s still got her sister with her. Cassidy knows there’s no way around other students mentioning what happened to her sister or pitying her for the event, but tries her best to avoid it. In the first chapter, she meets her new roommate, Ailene, who at first, seems a little odd. But warms up to Cassidy when Ailene talks about her job at the library and seems to be the first person in Cassidy’s life to give her a choice with her immediate future.
It’s a start. And I’ve surpassed my goal for today. I’m not sure where it’s heading, but I can’t wait to find out.
November 5, 2022 - Day Five
Sometimes it takes staring at the computer for an hour thinking your writing is utter crap to inspire you to switch gears and focus on the story you really want to write. So here we are, on day five, starting over. But it's not a complete do-over. I already have 50K words written from Camp NaNoWriMo 2020, and it needs about 50K more, so off we go. To read the first three chapters, click this LINK.
November 10, 2022 - Day 10
These are the first words I’ve written in four days. It’s been a busy week with concerts, day trips, a broadway play, and just being generally exhausted after working all day. But, I’m still hoping to put the work in on this current WIP this month, even if I don’t hit the 50K word goal.
When I’m working on a novel, I like to set the mood with music. When I first started writing this current story, I was obsessed with Father John Misty (aka Josh Tillman — and PS, I’m still obsessed), specifically the song Dumb Enough to Try. I created a playlist around the environment the characters live in. I also created a Pinterest board (note, where the obsession with FJM continues). These things keep me focused.
I’m hoping this weekend I can make up for the 10,000 words I’m lacking.
November 30, 2022 - Day 30
Whoops.
November ends at midnight tonight and I’m about 41,000 words short of my goal. Life, as they say, got in the way.
Between home improvement projects, holiday prep, and work, I just didn’t have the time. But I’m gonna keep moving forward. The first act is pretty solid, minus some minor edits (minor meaning major). And hopefully, by the spring, I will have a completed book.
Onward!