Category: NaNoWriMo

Posted in NaNoWriMo, Writing

NaNoWriMo 2022

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

We’re on the sixth day of National Novel Writing Month 2022, and I’ve only just caught up to 10k words. It’s definitely been a struggle to write almost 2k words every day. Most days, I’m exhausted from work. This past week, I had to take a day off for some self-care. I take small victories where I can take them. If I manage to write 500 words or a thousand then, I’m proud of myself for it. Stressing about NaNoWriMo this month won’t do me any good.

Luckily, I got the day off tomorrow, and on Thursday, I’m visiting NASA, so, I’m looking forward to a relaxing week.

Posted in NaNoWriMo, Writing

National Novel Writing Month 2022

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

It’s almost that time of year again and I don’t think I’m ready for it.

To be honest, I don’t remember the last time I participated in NaNoWriMo but I do want to participate this year. I think I’ve gotten better at time management. Saying that, I’m not sure what I’m writing just yet. There’s been a few ideas bouncing around in my head lately, but I also have two projects that I’m currently working on. Adding a third project into the mix might be a little too much for me.

The goal is to write 50,000 words in thirty days. Technically, it doesn’t have to be towards one projects specifically so maybe I can distribute those 50k words between projects? It’s definitely taking liberty with the spirit of things but it would definitely make me write more than I already do.

We have 8 more days until the event starts. Who knows? Maybe I’ll end up finish a one project before the start of November.

Social Media

As part of Wattpad’s Creators Program, I made an account on Instagram to help build an audience. I’ve managed to post some content but in reality social media is tough. Once I’ve gotten a bit more comfortable with the platform, I might do more with it. For now, I’m experimenting with the kind of content I want to post.

I know it’s important to have social media as an author and I need to be better about it. To be honest, I might need to dedicate time out of my schedule to post something about my progress. While blog posts help, I’m not too consistent with it, but I’m trying to do better now.

Let’s Keep on Chugging

Me

All that’s left for me to do is keep on chugging. I’ll somehow manage to figure it out. Most importantly, I can’t lose track of my goal for this year: send out query letters before Christmas break. While I don’t have much time left, I believe I can do it.

Posted in NaNoWriMo, Writing

The Finish Line – Camp NaNoWriMo

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

Today is the last day for Camp NaNoWriMo. Unlike what I had planned to accomplish, I fell short of my goal. However, I did managed to arrive at my second goal once I figured out that 50k words wouldn’t possible this month. I’m actually proud of myself for that. Against all odds, I was able to sit down, write, and get further in the story (the sequel to the Vampire Princes goes to High School). Because of this, I’m have chapter written weeks in advance which gives me time to prepare and write more chapters. That’s a good feeling to have.

There are about 6 to 7 hours left of the event and I’m going to take that opportunity to keep writing. I doubt I will be able to increase my word count by much, and that’s not the goal, but I just want to write as much as I can during this event. There are more opportunities to write that are coming up so hopefully, I’ll be able to reach those goals.

In part, it had to do with the fact that starting a new job with a new scheduled made things a bit difficult to adjust. It didnt take too long but I believe that it did affect some part of writing. I also know that I’m also to blame so, it was a bit of both sides were the
“guilty” party so to speak. I’ll have to reflect on this month in general and proceed from there.

For those who are very close to hitting their goal, keep writing. There is plenty of time left. Don’t throw in the towel just yet. You’re almost there.

Posted in NaNoWriMo, Writing

Day 25th of April

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

We’ve run out of water . . . Actually, that’s a different story.

However, the fact still remains that April has gone by way too fast. Now that there is only five days until May, I realize that I need to get my butt in gear and, not only plan more for my wedding, but also write. That’s a lot to unpack right there. Combined, they tire and stress me out.

But, I would say that I am diligently writing every day. I can’t seem to hit my daily goal, but I have come to terms with the fact that I won’t write 50k words this month. If anything, I’m hoping to hit 25k or 30k depending on other factors. That doesn’t mean that I’m not going to try my hardest to reach those numbers.

While I may not be where I wanted to be by the end of the month, I have gotten a lot done. I’m moving further and further into the middle part of my novel (the Vampire Prince Returns to High School). Consequences of what happened in the previous book are coming up and I’m eager to reach that portion. It’s just something about writing conflict that excites me. It’s my favorite thing to write.

If I hit that point before the end of Camp NaNoWriMo, I might be able to write more than 25k or 30k words. Honestly, I think I just need a push, or in this case, a jump start, to sit down and write more than a thousand or less words per day. Plus, as we all know, the middle isn’t always the most exciting or easiest part to write (at least for me) regardless of the story.

That being said, I’m still on Arc 2 of writing. At this point, I’m not quite sure how the story is going to end. I don’t want to make it super long as the first story (the Vampire Princes goes to High School), but I also don’t want to end prematurely. At least for this book, I think it’s more of a set up to the last book than anything else. However, it must also be a stand alone story.

So far, I believe I’m doing that correctly. There are more topics and character relationships that I want and can explore. I also believe, I have a solid plot for this story. I’ll continue to believe this until I don’t anymore.

If I had any advice for myself, and anyone else, it wouod be to get to the parts that you want to write. If you have to skip around then, do so. Just remember to link the two scenes together. As I’ve mentioned before, Notecards help because you can physically see the scenes laid out in front of you instead of floating in your mind. Do what you have to do, to write.

P.S. I’m working on a new look so, the site might look a change over the next few days.

Posted in NaNoWriMo, Writing

Hitting the Middle

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

It’s the start of the second week of April and things aren’t looking good. I underestimated the travel distance from work to my house and how that affects me mentally. However, I have managed to write every day despite not hitting that daily goal.

Perhaps part of that comes from the fact that I have hit the middle point of my story. As I might have mentioned before, I am working on a previously started story. While I had a few major plot points planned out, I’m finding it difficult to write the details that lead to said plot points.

So, I need to reevaluate my goals here. I still want to work on my novel this month and I still want to participate in Camp NaNoWriMo. I’m going to do all that and try to write as much as I can this month. There is a high chance that I might not make it to 50k words but even writing 30k sounds like a good number.

The game plan is to do a bit more brainstorming. As I wrote, I created two situations that I have to further develop. These were completely unplanned but I’ll be using them. Just imagining the scenes will increase my word count but also, and most importantly, add some tension and conflict to my story.

Typically, once I’ve gotten to this point, I’d start thinking about the end, but not this time. For now, I’ll focus on what I need to write next. I want to stay true to the story and not add things that aren’t necessary to the overall story. Personally, I don’t like adding elements that can easily be taken out or replaced by something else.

Lastly, I hope that everyone who is participating in Camp NaNoWriMo is doing a lot better than I am. If we’re in the same boat then, I’m rooting for us. We got this. 🤞