November is the global phenomenon of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), whereby authors undertake the self-imposed challenge of writing 50,000 words in the 30 days of November.
I have much love for NaNoWriMo.
I successfully completed NaNoWriMo 2013 with mere minutes to spare. Those 50,000 words became my first novel, The Sheriff. That was the first and only time I have completed the challenge, although I have completed JuNoWriMo, its summer cousin, on two occasions.
This year, I used NaNoWriMo as motivation to complete my third Nephos novella (Nephella?) which I started writing in October. The Nephella is the final story for my upcoming short story collection - not to mention the titular story - so it had to be finished asap!
Happily, I wrote 'THE END' last Saturday, bowing out of NaNoWriMo with 27,004 words. I considered carrying on, finding anything else to write so I could get closer to 50k, but I was keen to dive into editing.
The editing is ongoing but I'm making progress.
Bizarrely, the total length of the first draft, including the bits written in October, is a whopping 52,600 words! This is roughly the length of my first novel. I'm not sure if I can call it a novella anymore without using inverted commas!
What else have I been up to?
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I have much love for NaNoWriMo.
I successfully completed NaNoWriMo 2013 with mere minutes to spare. Those 50,000 words became my first novel, The Sheriff. That was the first and only time I have completed the challenge, although I have completed JuNoWriMo, its summer cousin, on two occasions.
This year, I used NaNoWriMo as motivation to complete my third Nephos novella (Nephella?) which I started writing in October. The Nephella is the final story for my upcoming short story collection - not to mention the titular story - so it had to be finished asap!
Happily, I wrote 'THE END' last Saturday, bowing out of NaNoWriMo with 27,004 words. I considered carrying on, finding anything else to write so I could get closer to 50k, but I was keen to dive into editing.
The editing is ongoing but I'm making progress.
Bizarrely, the total length of the first draft, including the bits written in October, is a whopping 52,600 words! This is roughly the length of my first novel. I'm not sure if I can call it a novella anymore without using inverted commas!
What else have I been up to?
- I completed and submitted my entry for the Birmingham Writer's Group winter competition. The theme was Nuns! Nuns! Nuns! which was funny, tricky and barmy. Judging takes place on Wednesday. Wish me luck, luck, luck!
- The Sheriff was reviewed by fellow independent author Rosalyn Kelly. I will return the favour next month when I finish her debut fantasy novel Melokai.
- I delivered my third annual guest lecture on self-publishing for the Creative Writing students at the University of Birmingham. I love standing at the lectern, kitted out in my pretentious blazer!
- I went to Rome with my wife. It was brilliant. This is what I did in the Vatican.
If you would like Simon to review your book then check out his Review Policy for more information. Sign up to Simon's newsletter to hear more about his reading and writing projects.