One Last Word of NaNo Encouragement

Today is Halloween, or as I like to call it, NaNoWriMo Eve. I hope you've read Jaime's NaNo Prep posts this month; they are full of great tips for getting ready for a month of writing until your brain oozes out your ears. Kidding! (The ooze comes out your nose.)

A question I've posed to the WriMos in my home region is, "What's going to stop you?" In other words, what do you think your biggest roadblock to finishing NaNoWriMo with 50K words will be? Name it, face it, and if you can, make a plan to overcome it.

I know you can do it. Write on, WriMos!

NaNoWriMo Prep: You CAN do it!

So here we are, the last Tuesday before NaNoWriMo begins. I can only speak for myself, but MAN. I am dying to write. I usually take a writing break in October, saving my free time for plotting and whatnot (for more on the whatnot, see the previous prep posts). So come November 1st, it feels like the words are dying to come out.
However you've chosen to prepare for NaNoWriMo '15, I want to leave you with one last piece of advice: Tell yourself you can do it. We've already established that yes, it is hard to write 50,000 words in a month. Now let's establish that yes, YOU, of all people, can do it. I believe in you. I hope you believe in you, too.
Be sure to sign up at nanowrimo.org if you haven't yet. If you'd like to add me as a writing buddy, my user name is karareynolds.
I typically post excerpts of my work every 10,000 words or so on my personal blog. If you do the same, and you'd like to be featured on Operation Awesome, send me an e-mail during November and I'll schedule you in. If you'd like to blog about your experience as a first-time NaNo-er, we'd love to hear that, too! Perhaps you have a great story about how NaNoWriMo changed your life? Send it along. All e-mails should be addressed to me (Kara), at operationawesome6@gmail.com and include "NaNoWriMo" in the subject line.
Good luck!

The Incredible Knowledge of Writers

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I am in awe of you.

Yeah, you. Everywhere I look in the online writing community, somebody is sharing a new tip, sometimes very complex ones, studying the writing craft, and passing on the knowledge. It's probably the most challenging time in the history of the world to be a writer, as far as competition goes.


I see a lot of talent in you. Sometimes it intimidates me.

Challenging as it is, it's also an exciting time to be a writer. I don't think it's ever been easier (or rather, more accessible) to learn about writing well. Every shortcoming I still have as a writer can be addressed if I only take the time to research it. And I don't have look beyond your amazing blogs to find my answers.

You are awesome.

You remember obscure information you Googled one time just to make your bat swarming scene more realistic. You understand what a character arc is, how conflict is different from creating tension, and how to check your characters against real people to write authentic reactions.

You continually inspire me by reminding me over and over again that JK Rowling had a slow start, and look how successful she was. You know Stephenie Meyer's how-I-got-published story in detail and which details aren't typical so I can feel better about taking FOREVER to get published.

In short, you use your acquired knowledge for good, sharing and paying it forward every chance you get.

Thank you for being on this journey, what sometimes feels like a mass exodus with no destination (Promised Land, where are you?). You remind me every day that not one of us makes it on our own.

And really, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Have a great weekend!