Tag: NaNoWriMo

Posted in NaNoWriMo, Writing

Camp NaNoWriMo Prep – July 2023

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

I’m officially starting prep work for the upcoming Camp National Novel Writing Month. The novel I’m working on is currently a novella at 30k words. I’m planning on adding 60k words this July. That’s about 2k words daily. In order to do that, I’m going to need almost every planned out.

Luckily because I’ve already written the ‘main story’, it’s just a matter of adding intercepting stories and events to it. I’ve also added more characters but I’ll have to set up motivations/ wants for them and incorporate it into the story. I don’t want them to end up filling a page for the sake of the word count.

When I first wrote this novella, I hadn’t planned too much for the world. I got the basics of worldbuilding but I need to flesh it out more.

First I would need . . .

  • Lore/ Worldbuilding – at least the inner workings of certain organizations, etc. that will be necessary to the novel.
  • I need character motivations and how they will affect the story
  • Lastly, I would need to write down the plot points. This will help me add different characters into the story without making seem like they were added last minute.

Those are what I can think of right off the top of my head. I might think of more but at least I have a faint of idea of what to work on next week.

Posted in Writing

Rolling with the Punches

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

Two weeks ago, I received news that shook my life. Since then, I’ve had to reapply for my job but I’ve ultimately decided to go someone else. That still meant having interviews and needless to say, it’s been stressful. I’ve gotten an offer but I’m waiting on two others to make a final decision.

There have been a few good things happening. I’ve started crocheting again and made ten new keychains. I think all the stress made me want to be a bit more crafty than before. I’ve received news back on my queries but I still don’t have an agent. There are a handful of agents I’m waiting for to open their queries again.

I’ve been focusing on rewriting a dark fantasy novella into a novel. A huge part of it is changing first person to third person and of course adding more world building than I had before. This might also be the novel I’ll be working on during Camp NaNoWriMo this July.

A part of me wants to stream my prep work for Camp NaNoWriMo on YouTube/ Twitch and invite others to plan with me. Even streaming my writing during the event is something that I’ve considered doing. It would definitely be a challenge, but it would also help me reach the daily word count. Plus, it could also help others to sit down and write.

Overall, there are tons of decisions that I need to make this upcoming week. One of those is where I’ll be working in August. Not to mention Camp NaNoWriMo is right around the corner, and I need to double down and decide how I will implement everything I want to do.

Posted in NaNoWriMo, updates

Summer Plans

Posted on by Kassandra Carrillo

A lot has happened during the first days of June. Huge news have shaken up my life in regards to work and that future is uncertain. However, I plan to focus on the good stuff like visiting family and my nephew (only a few months old), and enjoying my summer break.

Queries

First things first, unfortunately, my novel hasn’t been picked up by any agents. There are still that haven’t replied yet but that is not always a good thing. I have continued to research and find more agents that are a potential match to my novel and sent out queries. There are still a couple of them that are closed so it’s another waiting game.

Crochet

This is a little different but it was part of my new year goals to crochet more. I have to say that over the last two days, I’ve done exactly that. Now, I need to give my fingers and joints a rest. Maybe I’ll start selling my little critters in the future. I don’t particularly have space for all the knot critters I’m creating. But overall, it’s good to relax, and be able to finish a project in one sitting.

Camp NaNoWriMo

July is less than a month away and that means it’s time for Camp NaNoWriMo. While I still have to decide what project I’ll work on during that month, I do want to participate. I’m going to try something different this year.

I want to stream the prep work for the project AND the actual writing portion. Mostly it’ll be streams of me talking about how I plan or maybe the lack of planning. I think it’ll be fun to do.

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.