I made a short video series about my editing and revision process but never added it to my blog, so here it is: To edit a book, fix what happens before polishing how you say it. The five passes here cover the events, the reasons behind them, the scene details, the chapter hooks, and a
Updated for 2026: NaNoWriMo the organization shut down in 2025, so accountability is up to you and your writing friends now (which is what this post is about). My NaNoWriMo 2026 prep page has the outline templates and free tools. My free word tracker logs your daily count against the 1,667-a-day pace and keeps your
NaNoWriMo 2026: this post is from our 2017 retreat at Burg Rappottenstein. If you’re writing this November, my 2026 prep page has the plan, templates and free tools. My free word tracker logs your daily count against the 1,667-a-day pace and keeps your streak, no sign-up needed. We’ve been in Burg Rappottenstein for a few
Quick Answer Pronoun shut down in 2018 because free book distribution is not a viable business — here’s what replaced it. What’s Pronoun and what does it matter? Today was supposed to be the day I share testimonials from students and start wrapping up my course launch – but instead it’s important to comment on
Note for 2026: the NaNoWriMo nonprofit and its website shut down in 2025, so the sign-up and winner’s badge steps below are history (the old NaNoWriMo blog links now go to archived copies). The rest still works. My NaNoWriMo 2026 prep page has the updated plan and free tools. My free word tracker logs your
NaNoWriMo 2026: the nonprofit shut down in 2025. I still think the challenge is worth doing, and here’s how to do it this year. My free word tracker logs your daily count against the 1,667-a-day pace and keeps your streak, no sign-up needed. I recently found out about the “War on #amwriting” while researching for
Note for 2026: I wrote this in 2015, and the NaNoWriMo website shut down in 2025, so skip the part about being active on the site. The plotting advice still holds. My 2026 prep page has newer templates and free tools. My free word tracker logs your daily count against the 1,667-a-day pace and keeps
Note: this is from 2016 (the giveaway is long closed). For NaNoWriMo 2026, my prep page has the plan, templates and free tools. My free word tracker logs your daily count against the 1,667-a-day pace and keeps your streak, no sign-up needed. Update – I’m almost done with my first month living in a castle
Note: this is a 2014 post (the Medium contest is long over), and NaNoWriMo itself shut down in 2025. If you’re writing a novel this November anyway, start with my 2026 prep page. My free word tracker logs your daily count against the 1,667-a-day pace and keeps your streak, no sign-up needed. Just saw this
NaNoWriMo 2026: these covers were made for 2014’s NaNoWriMo authors. Writing a book this November? My 2026 prep page has free plotting templates and tools. My free word tracker logs your daily count against the 1,667-a-day pace and keeps your streak, no sign-up needed. I wanted to participate in Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) so...
Note: this cover giveaway ran in 2014 and is closed. If you’re writing a book this November, my NaNoWriMo 2026 prep page has free plotting templates and tools. My free word tracker logs your daily count against the 1,667-a-day pace and keeps your streak, no sign-up needed. I almost, but then didn’t, start writing
Gearing up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month?) Great! It’s a fun and challenging opportunity to be part of a huge community of writers learning how to complete 50,000 words in one month. NaNoWriMo means National Novel Writing Month: the classic challenge is to draft 50,000 words in November, roughly 1,667 a day. The nonprofit...
