Time for some serious novel writing!

Many writers have already started writing their novel for NaNoWriMo in the past few hours, while others are trying to catch up with some sleep—and the rest will have to wait a few hours before NaNoWriMo starts. November has only just started for me, so it’s time to start writing!

I plan to write at least 2,000 words a day (even though I only really need to write 1,667 words a day) so I’ll be able to take a few extra breaks later on.

In the sidebar (to your right) you will be able to see how many words I have written so far.

Good luck to all NaNoWriMo participants!

Thirteen hours

About thirteen hours before NaNoWriMo I noticed something different about my hand. The palm was swollen and it hurt.

Then I realised something: I spent the past few days doing my homework assignments, because I know I won’t get much done during NaNoWriMo. One mistake I made was not taking enough breaks.

So here’s a tip to all NaNoWriMo participants: take enough breaks so your hands get some rest. They’re doing so much work for you and they deserve a break every now and then.

Two more days before the craziness starts!

WritingIt’s almost November and guess what?! In two days I will be participating in an annual event called NaNoWriMo. Thousands of writers will be writing a novel at the same time! The goal of NaNoWriMo is to write a novel of at least 50,000 words in one month.

My novel for this year is going to be a romantic novel written in Dutch. Writing in Dutch is going to be a big challenge for me personally, as I spent the past eight years reading English books and the stories I’ve written in the past few years were written in English as well. I spent the first few weeks of October outlining my novel and I’m ready to start writing!

Good luck to all NaNoWriMo participants![1]


1. And to all family members and friends of NaNoWriMo participants: This is the month to spoil your friend or family member with sweets and presents, because in November they’ll devote all of their spare time to writing their novel!

The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall

Stefan Salvatore The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall has arrived in the mail today. I am very excited about this book, as it’s the first book from the The Vampire Diaries: The Return series and the fifth book from the The Vampire Diaries series. While the original series (which was published in 1991 and republished in 2007) mostly revolved around Stefan and Elena, this series focuses on Damon, who is probably the most mysterious character in the series.

Will we finally get to know Damon better? Is Damon really as bad as he seems?

My reading list

I spent the past few weeks reading the books from the The Vampire Diaries series by L.J. Smith. I absolutely love those books and I found it hard to put them down. I have just finished reading the fourth book (‘The Reunion’) and I should receive the fifth book (from the The Vampire Diaries: The Return trilogy) in the mail very soon.

I have compiled a list of books I plan to read. This should keep me occupied while I wait for the sixth book in the TVD series, The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Shadow Souls, to be released next year.

  • Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett
  • Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
  • Dracula by Bram Stoker
  • The Highwayman by R.A. Salvatore
  • The Host by Stephenie Meyer
  • The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks
  • The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Nightfall by L.J. Smith
  • The Vampire Shrink by Lynda Hilburn
  • Watchers in the Night by Jenna Black
  • Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind

NaNoWriMo Blog Meme

I found this meme on Nicole’s weblog and I decided to do it as well, since I’m an official participant and I love answering questions!

NaNoWriMo Q&A – In preparation for National Novel Writing Month next November, I thought it would be fun to look back at previous NaNo’s and answer some questions about how I take part in the event.

These questions or this meme as you might call it is totally meant for people to use on their own blogs, Livejournals, Facebooks etc. Leave links in the comments section and I might compile a list.

Double points if you post a photo with your answers in some NaNoWriFic action shot like I have so awesomely done.

When and how did you find out about NaNoWriMo? How did you go?
I found out about NaNoWriMo a few years ago, but I was always too late to participate in it (I’d forget about NaNoWriMo until it was December). Last year was the first time I participated and I won. I had a great time and it was great getting to know the other participants.

How many times have you done NaNoWriMo?
Last year was my first year, so this year is the second time I’m participating!

How many times have you won? If you haven’t won, what was your best result?
I won once, last year.

How did you go last year?
Everything went well, until after about two weeks I almost lost my motivation because I couldn’t think of anything to write! But then someone reminded me that I was writing because it was something I loved to do, not because I wanted to write down 50,000 words. That gave me the motivation to continue and that’s how I won NaNoWriMo last year.

Where do you write and with what do you write?
I always write on the PC at my desk in my bedroom. The novelling software I usually use is Liquid Story Binder, but this year I’m considering using new software called StoryBox. Liquid Story Binder can be overwhelming which its huge amount of features, while StoryBox is still an alpha version, so I’m not sure which one I’ll use.

How do you find time to write?
I have plenty of spare time.

Are your partners, friends and family allies or enemies?
Everyone is very supportive!

What are you strengths and what do you use to help you get to the end?
Last year I made sure I wrote at least 2,000 words every day. This way I could take a break from writing every now and then. I also spend a lot of time talking to other participants in the chat room, so that way I stay motivated.

What are you weaknesses, obstacles and challenges that hinder you from finishing?
Even though talking to other participants in the chat room keeps me motivated, it distracts me as well. Plus I tend to browse the internet while I’m writing. I’m easily distracted!

Do you plot/outline/plan or do you write by the seat of your pants? How much do you plot or how unprepared are you?
I’ve never spent too much time planning or outlining my novels, but I have been working on an outline for this year’s NaNoWriMo novel and it’s going very well and it’s actually a lot of fun!

Do you participate in the real life community, go to write ins and meet ups in your area?
Not really. I talk to other participants online and that’s about it.

What are your writing aids? Special snacks, music, totems, rewards or punishments?
None. I’ll be happy when I finish my novel. Actually, I might order a pizza or something after two weeks. But that’s just because I like pizza, so I’m not sure if I can call that a reward.