NaNoWriMo Archives : JamiFairleigh.com

One Word At A Time

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Jami Fairleigh

We've now passed the mid-point of the month and according to my NaNoWriMo graph, my manuscript progress should be 28,333 words. So, am I going to win NaNoWriMo 2023? No. But I am a chapter closer to the end of...Read More

Image description a notebook filled with writing to be used in a pep talk

A Writing Pep Talk

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Jami Fairleigh

Today we are exactly 1/3 of the way through National Novel Writing Month. If you are a numbers person, you know that means your word count should be somewhere north of 16,000 words. But what if your word count (like...Read More

Revive Your Flagging NaNo Project

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

NaNo writers, this is your mid-month wellness check. How are your projects going? If you're rocking NaNo 2022, keep typing! You probably won't see this article until December, anyway. But if your schedule has slipped and your word-count graph is...Read More

Character Goals and Motivations

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

In our last week of prepping for NaNoWriMo, it's time to ponder your character's goals and motivations. For previous "Preptober" articles, check out How to develop Your Story Idea, Develop Your Characters, and 50 Questions to Build Your Fictional World....Read More

50 Questions to Build Your Fictional World

Posted on October 21, 2022October 28, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

All writers world build. Although sometimes attributed to science fiction and fantasy writers, anyone who creates a fictional community or describes an imaginary setting is world building. The goal when world building is to create an authentic setting that can...Read More

Develop Your Characters

Posted on October 14, 2022October 28, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

Stories are about characters. Who they are, what they did, and why they did it drives your story forward and keeps your readers hooked until the end. Even if you're writing plot-driven tales, your readers should care about, or at...Read More

How to Develop Your Story Idea

Posted on October 7, 2022October 28, 2022 by Jami Fairleigh

It's October, and if you're considering joining in the NaNoWriMo fun this year, it's time to develop your story idea! Assuming you're not already brimming with ideas, here are ten ways to generate them. But once you do land on...Read More

November’s Saggy Middle

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

All right, scribblers, we're nearly at the middle of the month (aka the saggy middle), and it's time to take a hard look at where we are. If you're already at—or past—your mid-month goal of 25,000 words, keep typing! If,...Read More

A NaNoWriMo 2021 Pep Talk

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

In honor of NaNoWriMo 2021, this week's blog post is short and sweet, 'cause like all of you, I need to save my words for my NaNo project! It's NaNoWriMo 2021 Time, So Get Writing, If you are spinning because...Read More

It’s Preptober! 5 Steps to Preparing Yourself for a Successful NaNoWriMo

Posted on October 1, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

If, like me, you woke up this morning with a thrill zipping down your spine, welcome to Preptober! The shorter days and cooler nights mean fuzzy sweaters, hot drinks, and more guilt-free indoor time, which for many of us, means...Read More

The Juggling Writer

Posted on January 22, 2021April 9, 2021 by Jami Fairleigh

Alert, alert, I'm juggling three manuscripts. This is not something I know how to do, so at some point, the balls may come crashing down. I just hope they're a little bouncy and don't shatter on impact. My Manuscripts My...Read More

NaNoWriMo 2020: An Update

Posted on November 30, 2020November 30, 2020 by Jami Fairleigh

My first official NaNoWriMo is done and in the bag. My middle-grade fantasy story, working title An Ordinary Girl clocked in at a little over 55,000 words, and I actually finished it on the 27th. I've used the past three...Read More