I have participated in NaNoWriMo every year since I think 2005, for back when I was in college. I think? I’m pretty sure I started in college, but it’s hard to believe that it’s been around that long…and that I have consistently failed it for nearly a decade now. This year (as with every year, ahem!), I’m determined to finally get it. This year, I actually have a chance, too, as I’ve gotten much better at focusing on my writing and getting shit done since I quite my job back in March. Besides that, I have an August deadline for this book, so I’ve got a good motivation to bust out the first draft so I can start my edits and get my betas, and then do more edits, and some more, and some more still until August 15.
So what have I got in store this year? The Slayer Saga: Heartless, of course! It’s so great to return to these characters and this world after a little bit of a hiatus, and, if it sticks to the outline, fans of the first book are in for an exciting ride. I’m also pretty stoked to continue the series, and I’m off to a great start so far. According to my estimations, I’ll need to write six pages per day to really hit the 50,000 word mark by the end of the month. Got my six pages in last night, and I’m half-way there with it today. Should be finishing up chapter one and moving on to chapter two.
This book includes a return to Paravelle and old friends, a few new friends on the way, and the discovery of some more enemies (of course!). I don’t want to say too much, for those who haven’t read Soulless yet, so get on that, everyone. The Kindle version is still only 99 cents!
Who else is participating in NaNoWriMo? What can you share about your project? I’d love to know!
Happy writing!
L.S. Engler 
I just want BENEVOLENCE ARCHIVES 8 to get done. Please. Just one finished draft. That’s all I’m asking for. 🙂
Not too much to ask for. Just get to work! 🙂
I’ve participated since 2010. I had a 3 year old & 2 month old at the time, and didn’t even learn about it until November 4(or 5, maybe). I jumped right into an idea that I’d barely started some time earlier. I failed that year. The next year, I planned and I won. I’ve managed to win every year since, even managed 80k one year.
I’m working on the second book in my small town contemporary romance series this year. Shooting for 70k
70k is pretty impressive! The last book was around 60k, so that’s what I figured I’d wind up with.
The years I’ve planned out are the years I’ve definitely done better. I even almost made it one year! This year, I’ve got it. I know I do!
The first draft of the first book in this series was somewhere between 60-65k, I think. Right now, it sits closer to 75k. So, I figured 70 was a good target to aim for.
Good luck! The secret is breaking it up into managable chunks and not getting behind. If you just stick it out and force yourself to do those small efforts every day, it’ll pay off.
Yeah, it’s always been when I fall behind that it starts to crumble at my fingertips. And it doesn’t take much for me to get behind, but I’m going to try to be better at the catch-up game.
I won two years in a row, but I’ve since discovered I didn’t like the pressure I felt I was under. That’s why I switched to ROW80, although many people do both. I still like to cheer everyone on from the sidelines. I’m sure this is the year you’re going to win it!
See, and I really do think I work best with a little pressure, a little fire under my ass, and a set, solid deadline. I’m way to given into lazing about otherwise, so, even if I don’t win, I still always get some pretty good scribbling done during NaNo. You’re right, though. This is definitely the year of the win. 🙂