5 Quick Tips for Editing your #NaNoWriMo Book

Okay, it is finished. This is November 30th and by midnight you should have 50-thousand words on a new book.  Did you finish writing it?  Are there still some holes you've left that you need to go back and fill in?  What do you do now?

Well, other than drinking a well deserved cup of coffee or champagne to celebrate, take a deep breath, give yourself a big pat on the back, and then... well then it's time to get back to work and look at what you will do with all those words. Don't let them go to waste!  Look for ways to finish that story and get it edited for publication.

Where do you start?  Here are some ideas.

1.  Give yourself a day off.  Writing 50,000 words can take some doing, so give your brain a day of rest. (I drink champagne instead of coffee)

2.  Begin editing with passages you know need fixing.  Sometimes there are parts you know you shortchanged. I find that if I go back and work on those areas immediately it makes the entire editing process easier.

3. Edit in small chunks.  Don't think you can make one quick pass through and be finished. I find that the editing process can take up to five passes.  1) to catch those obvious errors, 2) to check for those weasel words that I use too often -- like just, nearly, almost; 3) to look for ways to strengthen your writing -- check for places you can use stronger verbs instead of adverbs, 4) read for the story and whether or not it makes sense; 5) read for pacing -- check to see that the story not only moves along, but that you have some quick places that really move the story forward, and other places where the reader can take a breath before going on.

4. Edit your beginning in depth.  that means looking to make certain you started the story in the right place. Does it start too slowly or so quickly we never have a chance to learn to like the characters?

5.  Edit your ending right after that. Make certain that it completes the promise and the premise that you began with.  Editing them back to back can make certain that they work together.

Then you're ready to go back and begin the serious chore of editing the book in depth, step by step, chapter by chapter.

Read it aloud one last time and you should find that it is just about ready to go. This is a simple list and there is much more that needs to be done in your editing. We'll look at some of those basics in future weeks.

5 Writing Tips to Finish NaNoWriMo

With only a week until the end of National Novel Writing month and achieving the goal of writing 50-thousand words, I find sometimes I slow down this last week.  I was able to get totally caught up yesterday after a few dry days, but now I find myself with one week left and that I need to be on track the rest of the way in order to finish on time.

And Thanksgiving is coming, which may mean very little writing time.

So how can I and YOU get through this final week? Here are a few tips.

1.  Go back and re-read your opening.  With a rush to write a full book in a month sometimes we start off all excited and write some great stuff at the beginning but then we start to slough off and not pay attention. Go back to those first pages and look at how you started the book and remember exactly what you set out to do.  That not only gives me new energy for where I am in the book, but it reminds me of a few plot points I might be missing along the way.  I even usually find some extra sentences or details I might need to add in at the beginning.

2.  Check for notes that you might have made along the way.  Again, because of the drive to write as quickly as possible and to finish the book, I often make notes along the way of scenes that I might need to add back toward the beginning of the book. If they're destined to be in the book, then by all means go back and look at where they might belong and add them in. You won't edit until later, but there is no reason you can't add in missing scenes. For instance, your character needs to shoot the bad buy at the end. Is he/she a marksman? Does she know how to even handle a gun? Maybe a scene with her father at a shooting range earlier in the book can help set up a believable ending.

3.  Give your characters another check. This is similar to the last idea, but it is more on the emotional front. Is there a scene you need to show why your character is acting a certain way as you get toward the end? Go back and add that scene in to give your character more depth. We don't want a lot of backstory up high, but sometimes a few lines during the book about a past event can make the character more sympathetic and believable. Add that in somewhere.

4. Don't be afraid to add in a few more details about the location. We want our stories grounded or set in a location we can see in our heads.  Don't scrimp so much that we don't get that feel. yes, we want to keep our plot moving, but sometimes you need to go back and add in a few extra details to give the mood of the character or the feel of the day or the setting.

5.  Re-read parts of the book. We aren't suggesting editing. Don't get bogged down that way, but check to see if there are places you can add details or extra scenes that might be necessary or better explain the ending.  And as you get to the ending, make certain you are being honest with the way the book ends and with your characters. If there are places where you know you need to make your character stronger, go back and fix them in order to get to your full word count.

We have seven days left, so keep on writing and good luck!

5 Tips to Making it Through NaNoWriMo

We're halfway through the month and that means we should be half way through our National Novel Writing Month total or written 25,000 words.  I don't know about the rest of the people taking part in this challenge, but this year I have fallen behind in my count.  I got off to a good start and then attended a retreat that helped get me rejuvenated.  You'd think I'd be farther along.  One of my writing buddies is not only at the halfway mark, she has written 27,000 words.

Now as I turn the corner and begin on the second half of the month I find I need some new inspiration. So what do I suggest now for those others like me who have slowed down to new lows?
Here are 5 tips to get going again or to recommit yourself to finishing and achieving  your goal.

1. Write first thing in the morning.  For the thirty years I was working full time (usually 10-hour days) I always got up and began writing in the morning. Yes, I know some people move slowly at 6am, so I sometimes started with a quick walk. It helped to get my story ideas percolating so that by the time I got back to my desk I was ready to work on the next scene.

2. Start everyday by re-reading copy from the previous day. I know I've suggested that tip before as a way to get started every day with your writing. It can get you quickly back into the scene or if you don't feel like writing, just re-reading what you wrote before might make you want to try a new direction if you think you're going the wrong way.  Actually whenever I don't feel like writing I sit down with my story and take some time just to re-read it. That helps transport me back into that story world.

3.  Start slowly with a writing sprint.  Tell yourself you're only going to write for 15 or 20 minutes -- maybe even 30. Then set a clock so that you know you'll have a reason to stop at that time.  I keep a kitchen timer on my desk so I can do writing sprints anytime I feel like it. I find that knowing I'm only going to write for 15 or 20 minutes can make the writing go faster because I know I can quit at the end. Usually, though, when the timer goes off, I just keep on going.

4.  Go back and check out your character profiles. By now you should be almost half way through the book. Are you ignoring some of the traits you had given to your characters? Are they coming across as the people you wanted them to be?  This isn't the time to go back and reread everything to see if you're heading in the right direction--that can wait until editing, but you should have an idea in your head if you've left things out. Look at including a couple of scenes to fix those problems.

5. Write the ending.  This is one thing I also recommend if  you get stuck halfway through the book. You know how you want it to end, right?  By writing that ending you can start pointing in that direction as you move through the next pages of your book. This is the time to start moving toward that ending. If you are writing a romance, check your conflict to see that it is strong enough to hold you to the end. If you're writing mystery, have you planted enough clues or red herrings to start making some moves toward the bad guy? If you're writing fantasy or science fiction, have  you started pointing at the final battle or discovery that will get the hero and heroine where they need to be for the ending?

One other thing to try might be to take a break for a day or two.  I did that at the end of last week, and while it made me panic this morning when I sat down at the computer I also felt rejuvenated. I was more than ready to get back into my story again and start working.

Now the real trick is to just sit yourself down and start writing. Think of it this way. You're half way through. It's all downhill from here!

5 Tips for Getting Started on NaNoWriMo

It's November 2 which means if you are planning on getting started on NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, you should have started yesterday to begin working on the magic 50,000 word count that you need to have finished by the end of the month. 


I got started and blasted right out of the gate, doing more than the average of 1667 words a day. Okay I only completed a little over 1700 words, but it made my average.  The problem with that is that if you start too slow it can cause problems later down the road. If you don't keep up the average you might find yourself with a day where you have to write 3000 words or then 5000. Get the picture? Pretty soon you are so far behind that you can't catch up.


My biggest problem yesterday was that I had my beginning but after I wrote all that I realized I didn't have any place to go with my plot. I wasn't certain where I wanted to start this morning -- pretty pathetic for day two when there are still 28 to go. So what can you do when you hit a slow patch (like Day Two?)


1. Get to know your characters better.  I spent this morning writing backgrounds for my main character. Yes, I know that is slow going in the first pages and I will probably move a lot of that information around into later chapters so that I don't slow the story down, but it is vital information, especially for someone who writes with only a limited plot idea.


2. Spend time getting to know the location better.  That means writing more of a detailed description of the setting for the story. Again, this is information that will probably fall into place later in the book, but it can be done in the editing process.


3. Write a couple of the first scenes that you know you want in the book. I started out with just the scene I wanted to open my book, and which I had already planned for the beginning, but then I realized there were several other scenes that might not follow that particular character but also needed to be in the first couple of chapters.  I wrote them up and now they will be ready when I get to Chapter Two.


4. Work on your dialogue.  How do you want your characters to sound?  Make them talk right away. Don't get too trapped in all that description. Do a couple of dialogue scenes so that you begin to get a good feel for the characters. 


5.  Introduce some of your secondary characters too. Don't be afraid to put that character sketch of your secondary character up high for now. Again, you can move it down when you edit. 


As you start the book, there are so many directions to head. Don't be afraid to try some of those to see if they might be good enough to stay in the book. You might find they won't work, but some of the writing or scenes can help you make your book stronger later.


Most of all, get up and write!  And keep thinking about your story, even when you're not writing. Make little notes so that tomorrow when you get to the keyboard or pull out your notebook to write, you will be better prepared.

5 Reasons to Try NaNoWriMo

Normally we give tips on writing, but this week I am going to change things up a little.  Last week I provided tips for writing if you participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).  Since then I've had a number of people ask me why I take part every year and why it might be helpful for them to try NaNoWriMo. More than one person has indicated an interest, but the thought of writing 50,000 words in four weeks can be a little daunting. But don't despair. It can be done and you might find yourself enjoying it.

I know why I do it. I find that it helps me get a story written and November is a great month to do it. With the cold weather setting in so that I have to spend more time at home and because writing a novel now is a great way to wrap up the year and give me a sense of accomplishment, I really have grown to like the premise of writing a novel in November. So what are some of the benefits you might see if you take part in NaNoWriMo?

1.  Getting something written before the end of the year. As I noted that is a big reason I like to do it. After spending months promising to get some writing done, having a month when writing is my total focus really sharpens the writing edge for the next few months and gets me through the winter.

2. The long hours can help sharpen discipline.  The idea of having to write nearly two thousand words a day means you have to set aside some hours to work. Having to write that much for 30 days can make writing a thousand words a day seem a lot easier. That means setting a schedule and setting aside certain hours to write. All those words won't get written if you think you're going to write only a few minutes a day. Setting a schedule can help later when you think you don't have the time. Go back to the November schedule for a few days, or a full week later and before long you'll find yourself with a normal writing schedule.

3. Write that story you've been planning but haven't been able to start. Sometimes getting a story started is as simple as deciding to sit down and get going. By saying you're taking part in NaNoWriMo you can focus on starting on November 1 and just get going. That date provides a finite starting point and the idea of finishing by the end of the month gives you a definite date for finishing.

4. It can free you from your inner editor. Sometimes we get too focused on whether the words we're writing are good enough or all the mechanics of the writing process. Doing NaNoWriMo where the word count is all important can free you from going back and laboring over one sentence. Write it and move on. You don't have time to agonize.

5.  Finally, there is the final (even if it needs work) product. At the end of the month you will have a novel written. It may not be your best work. It will undoubtedly need editing, but it will definitely be enough to work on to get the novel in shape to be published.

For the next month I will be focusing on other NaNo ideas.  If you have something you'd like to share with me about your NaNo adventures, please email me at BeckyGMartinez@gmail.com .  
And if you'd like to sign up to try it, here's the link -- www.nanowrimo.org

5 Tips for NaNoWriMo

November has become a major writing month for me, courtesy of NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month (www.nanowrimo.org) It's an endeavor I have often taken part in and one I have already signed up for this year. What NaNoWriMo stands for is writing a 50,000 word novel during the month of November.  Some people love the idea and some people have tried it and decided it is not for them.  I used NaNoWriMo to get a good handle on my newest published book, Blues at 11, and I am currently editing another book (Dead Man's Treasure)  I did as part of writing challenge another year.

Why do I like NaNoWriMo?  For me, it's a good way to make myself focus on just one project for an entire month.  I've been known to jump around a lot in my writing, but this one-month long challenge keeps me focused.  As someone who loves to set goals and then work toward them, I like knowing that I can see my progress every day, and that the progress will be a direct result of the work I put into my writing.  It's great for someone who enjoys challenges too. I want to make certain that I can do it. Getting those 50,000 words written in 30 days makes me feel like a winner.

This month I've had people in several of my writing groups say they'd like to try but they don't quite know how to get ready for NaNoWriMo.  The challenge of sitting down and writing 50,000 words seems overwhelming. It doesn't have to be.  Here are some pointers for you if you want to participate in NaNoWriMo:

1. Set up a writing schedule.  Winning at NaNoWriMo means being disciplined and getting the writing done.  If you have certain hours set aside for it, that is the most effective. When I was working regularly, I used to write first thing in the morning -- from 6 until 7am.  I know I am much more able to get things done that early in the day, so I plan on writing first thing in the morning. After retiring I also found that from 3 to 5 in the afternoon was a good period of time for my creative juices so I generally set aside those hours for my writing.  Winning at this requires around 1500 to 2000 words a day, but it can be done.  Some days I might find myself writing well belong those 3 hours I was setting aside.

2. Have at least a  brief idea of the book you want to write--maybe the beginning and ending.  You might also want to do a regular plot outline.  I don't usually write with an outline so if you don't have one, I say don't worry.  Let your characters and their circumstances take you where you want to go. I've had books and characters all outlined and ready and then discovered once I started writing, that wasn't at all what I wanted to do. I changed things as I went along.

3. Know your characters.  This can be critical. Like the outline they can be changed or developed as you are writing, but you don't want to start the first day without even an idea of the characters. You'll spend all day thinking about it. Have a few details of your characters and who they are before you start.

Okay, we're halfway through the ideas here and are you worried about getting stuck?  Let's finish with some thoughts on what to do if we get stuck.

4.  Re-read your earlier pages.  See what scenes you might want to include as a result of what you've already written.  Spending a couple of hours the previous night or before you start writing again seeing what you have can get you back into the mood to get going again.

5.  Write scenes you want to write or know are necessary for the book. Yes, I know this totally destroys things for those who need to write the story straight through from beginning to end, but sometimes it can help to jump ahead or go back and write a necessary scene.  What you don't want to do is to get stuck rewriting the same scene.  You can fix it later, but don't let fear of just one scene stop you from moving on. Keep plugging away.

Finally, banish that editor to the closet for the month. Don't worry about fixing everything now. You can always fix a manuscript later, but you can't edit what you haven't written. 

Have fun, let your creative juices flow and for one month, just WRITE!

Good luck. 

5 Tips to Re-energizing Your Writing

It happens to all of us. We've been working long, hard hours with our writing and we think we'll step back for a few days and take some time off.  And then that "few days" becomes a week, and then a few weeks.  Or we come back to work and find we can't sit still for long. Pretty soon the work that began last week actually began two weeks ago or a month ago, and that goal to finish grows farther and farther away.  We all need some down time, but then how do we get re-energized to get back to work. I don't know how many times I've heard writers say they just can't seem to get re-motivated once they've taken a break. When that happens to me I sometimes have to force myself to get going again.


1. Re-read Your Last Pages -- This is always a good way to get back on the ball and get excited about your story again. Look for problem areas that might have been slowing the story down that made the work seem like such a drudge in the first place.  Some writers will re-read their work every day, and that can also be a good way to keep going.
2.  Try Writing Some Place Else -- Sometimes your desk is the problem. Maybe it's a mess or maybe you just need a change in scenery.  Try to work at a coffee shop or if you don't like all that noise, there is always the library where you can have peace and quiet.
3. Try Doing Research --  This can be good if you know you need a break but you also have information you know you need for the story. Yes, you can get the information online, but get out of the house. Instead of reading about the 19th century, visit a museum where you can see actual articles or clothing from the period.  One caveat here -- don't get so wound up in your research it becomes another excuse for not writing.
4.  Try a New Time to Write -- Last weekend I had a reader ask me when my best time for writing was. It has been in the early morning for years, but that was when I had a daily job to get to. I would write from 6 to 8 and then get ready for work. While I still often write early in the morning, I also have found that late in the afternoon is a good time for me to write too, so sometimes I let my writing go until then.
5. Try a Retreat -- Getting away from it all to write can be a real blessing. It is a great way to get a story going, to get a story plotted or to totally  immerse yourself in your story world. I've done personal retreats where I've locked myself in a hotel room and worked to finish a story, or just gone away for a weekend and written. I've also gone to writers' retreats and I heartily recommend them. Next month I will be going to one in Denver -- Danica Favorite's "Nourishing the Writer's Spirit Retreat" and I'm really looking forward to the experience.  It's a chance to talk to other writers and work on my story as well as get come creative ideas.  If you'd like more information, please visit: http://danicafavorite.com/retreat .
There is still time to sign up! Good luck with getting re-energized!