It’s the fun time of year again when we all dissolve into screaming about NaNoWriMo.
EXCITING.
In case you are very lost or confused (hi, me too for most things in life) let’s just talk about what National Novel Writing Month is. Also save yourself from me and google it. BUT ANYWAY —> It is a worldwide challenge for writers to hammer out 50,000 words in a month. You sign up on the official NaNoWriMo.org site and log your word count daily. You also get to be comforted by the fact that literally thousands of other authors are crying with you right now too.
JUST KIDDING. IT’S VERY FUN. It’s motivating! It’s challenging! And afterwards you get a vaguely book-shaped blob that might make you famous.
Now it’s time to tell us about your upcoming project. I very much look forward to hearing about your dastardly plans.
Just like every year, we’re giving our monthly link up “Beautiful People” a small rest so we can focus on “Beautiful Books”. Sky and I host Beautiful Books so we can focus on our NaNoWriMo projects. The format is the same as Beautiful People. We’ll post 10 questions to answer about your WiP — aka your beautiful book. Answer the questions in a blog post of your own and then come back here to link up! Don’t forget to grab the blog button and link to this post.
NOTE: You can do it for ANY novel! You do not need to be doing NaNo to join in!!
DON’T FORGET TO TAKE THE BUTTON!
Or link to this page so anyone can join in!
- What inspired the idea for your novel, and how long have you had the idea?
- Describe what your novel is about!
- What is your book’s aesthetic? Use words or photos or whatever you like!
- Introduce us to each of your characters!
- How do you prepare to write? (Outline, research, stocking up on chocolate, howling, etc.?)
- What are you most looking forward to about this novel?
- List 3 things about your novel’s setting.
- What’s your character’s goal and who (or what) stands in the way?
- How does your protagonist change by the end of the novel?
- What are your book’s themes? How do you want readers to feel when the story is over?
raise your hand if you’re doing NaNo!! and if you have any clue what you’re writing yet!! or are you choosing between projects?? feel free to satisfy my curiosity by giving me a vague idea of your genius.
Also feel free to add me as a buddy on the NaNo site! I’ll add you back.
Yay, Beautiful Books is back!!! 🙂
At this point it’s unlikely I will win NaNo, but I’m going to try my best! I’m planning on writing the first draft of Of Traitors and Tricksters, a YA Fantasy with an Ancient Egyptian spin to the setting. I’m in love with the story, and can’t wait to get it down! What project are you going to work on? 😀
Melissa @ Quill Pen Writer recently posted…New Blog Look & Liebster Award 2017
Omg I’m in love with the sound of your story already too. 😍 I will hopefully join in and do a full post on my story idea.😂 But currently it’s a contemporary about dancing and knives.😂
It’s my first time doing NaNo and I’m super excited for it!! I’ve had the idea for a few months and am so happy I found out about NaNoWriMo!
It’d be my first time, too! I’m currently flailing with excitement, but also NERVES. Anyways, best wishes with your writing.
Me toooooo! What are you guys writing about?
Thanks Alice! I’m a mixture of excitement and nerves too. Good luck!!
YAYYAYY I SHALL BE CHEERING FOR YOU, CHARLOTTE!!
Thanks Cait!!
I’m not doing NaNo this month (it went disastrously over the summer…) but I think I’ll steal this later and use it on my novel that’s stuck on 100k words while I refocus on redrafting an old one… because this seems like lovely fun. 🙂
I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOUR ANSWERS! Are you going to wait until the last weekend of the month again and put us all to shame. 😉
Amber @ The Literary Phoenix recently posted…Dracula: Man, Villain, & Myth // #BookBloggerHop
That’s totally cool to use the questions anyway. I look forward to reading your answers. :’) And honestly I will try to do the linkup a LITTLE sooner than the last day haha…but I need to finish writing my outline. I need to *start* writing my outline.😂
*springs around like a happy bunny* oh goody, more post ideas! much needed! 😀
Most crazily, ~Olive
Olive recently posted…In which I, Kit, relate to you everything that has happened.
Yayyy, Olive! Thanks for joining in!
Yas I am simultaneously excited and terrified for NaNo! November is going to be a hard month haha. I will definitely be joining this 😍😍 just probably a bit later!! 😄
Esther @ Queen of Fantasy recently posted…6 Problems That All Writers Experience At One Time or Another // #WRITERSLIFE
EXCELLENT I CAN’T WAIT TO READ YOUR POST. 😀
I’m not participating in NaNoWriMo because like, I can’t put two sentences together??? How am I supposed to write an entire book???
But, reading about what others are writing is going to be so much fun! I can’t wait to tune back in and read all the answers!
Ooh and I just wanted to tell you that I tagged you in a “Would you rather” book tag that I did today.. because, you know, I was tagging all my favorite blogs and YOURS IS AT THE TOP OF THAT LIST..
So, that had to happen.. If you’d like, please check it out!
Shanu recently posted…The “Would You Rather” Book Tag
I’m really glad you enjoy reading these post, Shanu! YOU’RE MARVELLOUS. <3 And I will absolutely go read your post!!
*raises hand*
I actually have no clue what I’m writing.
*also raises hand because I also have no clue what I am doing and I am eating*
Ooh, a surprise for us all then. :’)
I’ve heard National Novel Writing Month floating around on the internet but was never totally sure what it was. Thanks for the explanation! I think I might try it.
Even though I’ve got no idea what to write. 😆
Oh great! I’m so glad to introduce you to it! 😀
Soooo…I’m completely dense, and I don’t really understand how Beautiful People works. Am I supposed to answer all the questions on my blog first and then comment here? Do I comment first and then do the questions? But I’ve already commented now…so do I answer the questions and then come back and comment again once I’m done? I’m probably way overthinking this. Like I said, I’m dense, okay?
But I AM doing NaNoWriMo! I actually just finished blogging about it and I’m in the midst of the writing another post about my project! I don’t really think I’m going to win, but I’m trying to keep hopeful. I’ve written a lot this year (for me) so I feel like I’ve gotten into a pretty good swing of things.
Rebeccah recently posted…National Novel Writing Month
You’re not dense! I’m terribly sorry if I didn’t explain it! You don’t actually have to comment at all if you don’t want.😂All you need to do is take the questions and do them on YOUR blog as a blog post and then come add your link in the linky above in the actual post. Let me know if that makes sense?
Eeep, I’m excited to hear about your project!
Oh! Yes, haha, that DOES make sense. I guess I didn’t see the Linky before and I didn’t understand how I was supposed to include it. I’ll go crawl back in my hole now. Thanks 🙂
Noooo, don’t crawl into a hole! It’s totally fine. *shares cake with you*
Nano has been a holiday for me since 2008. I’ve only completed once, in 2008, but this is our year everybody! October is unofficial outlining month, so let’s get started.
YAS THIS IS YOUR YEAR, EMILY. GOOD LUCK!!
*raises hand*
I’m attempting it once again! I’ve only won once, but we’ll see how things go this time around. I’m going to (hopefully) finish my current WIP, which already has about 50k words. The basic premise: DRAGONS. Yep, that’s basically it. I’m sure you can appreciate how excited I am to continue working on it. 😉
What will you be writing this time around???
I hope you have a lot of fun, Brianne!! It’s always cool to write, knowing hundreds of other people are writing too, right?! AND OMG DRAGONS. CONSIDER ME SOLD.
I’m *hopefully* (I need to outline yet haha) writing a story about a girl who carries knives and a boy who doesn’t walk but alway dances who get stuck in a dance contest together with lots of people trying to kill them. :’)
OKAY LET’S DO THIS.
YES LET’S. WE GOT THIS.
🙋🏻 ME! I picked a word crawl too (HAMILTON YASS). but i’m going to plants my novel so right now i’m getting the world building, character changes, and major plot points down so I can just write write write in November.
but my book is a science fiction rebellion led by Cinderella’s step sisters against their government. but I might change it to fantasy. or back to sci fi. I have a problem because I get so technical that I start graphing out the size of the planets & population number and it gets to be askjlsdjfl. so maybe fantasy. or sci fi. or fantasy. gah! I have 24 days to decide.
but what are YOU writing? book #4 this year? #5?
Vicky Who Reads recently posted…Unconstructive Book Reviews: What They Are and How to Avoid Writing Them
your idea sounds AWESOME!!
btw, I’m also working on worldbuilding, outlining, character work, and plot building this preptober
EEeeep, it sounds AMAZING. Cinderella retellings though. 😍 And also I hear you with the technicalities….I once spent literally forever researching a hospital thing only to end up never even mentioning in on page. *facepalm*
I’ll be writing my 7th book of the year. 😂😂
A rebellion lead by Anastasia and Drizella ? Against the government ? (assuming the gov = Cinderella and her prince) ? SIGN ME THE HELL UP IT SOUNDS AWESOME
If you’re planning to do sci-fi, beware of not making it too similar to Cinder – but honestly sci-fi would be really great for this type of story. (but that’s obviously because i’m a sci-fi gal, not too much of a fantasy lover. take my biased words with a lot of salt)
Thank you all!!! Yessss I’m so excited to write it, and definitely i have to be careful about Cinder (i love those books tho)
For younger writers, there is also NaNoWriMo Younger Writers Program which is pretty lit.
I can absolutely NOT shut up about NaNo, I swear my family can guess what will come out of my mouth every second I take a breath.
I’M SO EXCITED BECAUSE THIS IS MY FIRST OFFICIAL TIME WHERE I’M ACTUALLY WORKING ON AN OUTLINE AND EVERYTHING AND I’M SO HYPED TO WRITE WITH OTHER WRITERS IN A SINGLE MONTH AND LEGIT CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IF I ACTUALLY REACH 50,000
I’m just pleased my family even REMEMBERED NaNo honestly.😂 My mum started to say something about November and then she’s like “Oh wait…you’ll be doing NaNo.” FINALLY. THEY HEAR.😂 I’m so excited for you too!!! GOOD LUCK WITH THE 50K!
thank you!! good luck to you, too!!
GAH I don’t think I am going to do NaNo this year! I mean, I haven’t completely decided not to? But… I don’t know. I stress myself out with it, BUT I actually get stuff done? But then, what’s the point if I screw around for the other 11 months? Idk Cait, I am crap with decisions, you know. I DO have an idea about what I’d write (which of course has nothing to do with the OTHER two things I did the past two years, because of course not) but… again. Who knows.
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight recently posted…Guest Post: #ShatteringStigmas Book Recommendations!
Decisions are hard so just make a bad decision and do it. *nods* This is how I get through life honestly and why I have scheduled breakdowns in my calendar for every week.
Ahh this is just the thing to get me into preparing mode!! This year’s novel is going to be about a magic-less girl in a world where everyone has magic trying to get into a race with her invisible dragon. It has illegal blood magic, pentagrams, runes, and sugar clouds that float. I have an outline for the story but the world details are too vague for me to write smoothly so that’s what I’m going to be working on pre-November! Plus, I need to work on secondary characters…
This sounds AMAZING. No really I’m absolutely smitten. 😍 Illegal blood magic and invisible dragons and runes and sugar clouds. AHHHHH.😍
These questions were so much fun to answer! And really useful because I manage to work out some things I hadn’t thought about. It’s my first time doing NaNoWriMo in November (I did Camp NaNo twice) and somehow it feels much more real and serious, hahah!
Oooh, I’m so so glad you enjoyed them, Ayla! THANKS FOR JOINING IN!!
*raises hand* Me! I’m doing NaNo!
I’m writing parts two and three of “The Worth of a King,” a book that was originally a cowrite with Miss Jack Lewis Baillot … but she bailed about a year ago, giving me full reign of the project. I finished the rewrite of what we’d already written a few months ago (aka, part 1) and I’m looking forward to crunching down and spitting out the other two parts this November.
Baaaaasically, it’s about a set of twins who were separated at birth because their father, the king, was killed that very same night, but it’s also a romance between the girl and the son of the man who killed their father because in this country, if you kill the king, you have a pretty good chance of getting his throne, but, to be honest, it’s actually a bromance between the guy and said son because said son is pretty much aware that his dad is corrupt and he’s been looking forward to getting the throne just so that he can make things better for the people and he’s quite thrilled that this other heir has shown up because this other heir can take the throne now instead of waiting for dad to croak.
But, mwahaha, this is one of my books and nothing’s THAT simple.
Did I mention that the dad is being manipulated by evil dragons?
Kendra E. Ardnek recently posted…Canons of the Head!
Ooh that’s awesome you’ll be working on that! And the title sounds really epic. And bromance stories are EPIC HUZZAH. I hope this is super fun to write because the plot sounds really interesting.
(DRAGONS!!)
I CANNOT believe that NaNoWriMo is less than a month away. This is terrifying…
I’m really excited to participate in NaNo, but this year I am going to be REBEL. (help) And I know not how to rebel? I am a stickler for the rules…even though NaNo has no rules… But anyway! I just might have to do this linkup!! I LOVE Beautiful Books!!!
oooh, rebel Kenzie. 😉 I usually break rules all over the place but NaNo is the one thing I actually stick to…bahah. Although I’m tHINKING this year I might write and then edit something but still count that towards my goals? *gasps* GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
Ah yes! It has such a nice ring to it!! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Technically I WANT to write a fresh 50k, but apparently my novel isn’t progressing as fast as I would like it to. BOO. So I am going to see if I can’t edit the entire second half in a month! (BECAUSE THIS MAKES PERFECT SENSE)
Ooh! A bit of writing AND editing sounds like so much fun!!! THE BEST OF LUCK TO YOU, AS WELL!!! 😀
Kenzie recently posted…The Smudged Thoughts PictoPrompter: Episode III
*waves with both hands* NaNo Participant here!! I’m already very excited for another NaNoWriMo as I couldn’t participate in CampNaNo which took place in July. I’ve already got my project settled – it contains witches, sass and a high stakes tournament. If only I could work out a concrete plot now … 😅
Witches AND sass?!? DUDE, YOU ARE WRITING THE BEST KIND OF NOVEL.
Thank you so much for creating this! It came at the perfect time to announce my novel. <3
YAY so glad Vivian!!
I’m doing NaNo! Though, I’ll probably just do the YWP, because…. 50k? I’ve never written 50k in a month. Actually….. I’ve never written 50k for any of my novels…. *cough cough*
Anyways, I’m currently writing up a post to answer these questions! ;D
That’s fair! The important thing is to be writing, eh!?? I can’t wait to read your post. 😀
I’m definitely participating in NaNoWriMo this year, and I’m VERY EXCITED. I’ll be starting the second draft of the novel I was working on last year during NaNo, but this project has been in the works for a loooonnnnggg time. Starting the second draft is a little intimidating, since it’s slightly higher stakes, but hopefully NaNo works for me and I get some not too terrible words on the page! And I’ll definitely be answering these questions ASAP. 🙂
YAS, MAGGIE, I AM SO PLEASED FOR YOU1! And a 2nd draft is awesome! As least you’ve got the bones worked out!! I just finished doing a 2nd draft and it was really draining but also fun.😂
*screams eternally into the abyss*
I have absolutely NO CLUE how I’m going to pull NaNoWriMo off this year between studying for finals, going to play rehearsals, and the general insanity of the month, but hey, should be fun! I’ll probably lose loads of sleep and I’m okay with that.
Do we get to see what you’re working on for NaNo soon???
Kate @ The Magic Violinist recently posted…In Case You Missed It . . .
YOU WILL BE A MASTER MAGICIAN GENIUS. THIS IS FACT.🎉🎉 And yes I totally hopefully will put up my post soon….like not forget like I generally do. 😂 I want to write my outline first so please someone glare at me until I get started.
I’m not doing NaNo this year, but I *am* working on my Beauty and the Beast retelling wherein Beauty is a modern version of Maleficent.
And it’s really too much fun digging into a story’s heart with a Beautiful Books post. Thanks for hosting, Cait and Sky!
Elijah David recently posted…Beautiful Books: Paper and (T)horns
Ooh that sounds super intriguing, best of luck!! 🎉🎉 Retellings are so much fun.
After not doing NaNo for two years (because for some reason I willingly sold my soul to nursing school), I am so looking forward to doing it again! I’ve been plotting this novel for who knows how long now so hopefully I can crack out 50,000 words, or die trying.
Omg I can’t even imagine doing uni plus NaNo. YOU ARE A SUPERHERO.
Two years ago, before I went into hiding for a year and a half, I read everything tagged NaNoWriMo that came up in my WordPress reader. Oddly, though I saw several posts titled “Beautiful Books,” somehow I never paid enough attention to understand what it was. Now I’m planning to go back and answer questions from the many, many months that I didn’t know about this site.
I am doing NaNoWriMo this year, writing a novel in which the protagonist will be a man who has been an antagonist in a few of my other books. I only decided to write this for this year’s NaNo a few days ago, and frankly, I have very little understanding of the story yet. Even just writing my post for this month’s link-up brought me a better understanding, which I’m very thankful for!
Good luck with your NaNo!
Kristi recently posted…Beautiful Books 2017
I’m so glad you discovered our link up and are enjoying it!! WOOOOO. Good luck with your project. 😀
Wow this is really interesting! I haven’t heard of any other bloggers doing this until today! Were I knew you were working on a book I didn’t know this many other bloggers were working on one as well! (how cool is that!) I have always fantasized about putting my book ideas to paper but never got around to it maybe someday…. Anyways great post and super cool idea!
Yay I hope you join in someday! NaNoWriMo is pretty popular across the world so that’s exciting. 😀
I have wrote many novels but i am writing the first draft of my book called simply famous and i can’t wait to start.
Ooh I love your title!!! I hope it’s super fun to write!!
I’m doing NaNo this year! Kind of excited but also kind of dreading it because the story idea I have isn’t exactly 100% on solid ground yet and I’m still working out some kinks and omg I hope it’s not a complete mess hahahaha.. haha…ha…
Rayna @ Reader Rayna recently posted…Beautiful Books 2017 | Introduce the Novel
Yayyyyy I hope you have fun with it!! There’s still time to sort out some details, right!?😂 A WEEK TO GO.
I had so much fun doing Beautiful Books! I did it last year, but I was too shy to link back. 😛 I love your blog, btw! Your posts are absolutely hilarious. Thanks so much for hosting this!! 😀
Aww I’m glad you linked up this time!! <3 I can't wait to read yours!
I looooooove nanorimo – so excited! Woooohooooo ! Yas!
Any tips on how to ACTUALLY finish a nanorimo?
Still in love with ya blog hun – definitely one of my faves xox
Aww thanks, Grace! You’re really lovely 😀 I did a post on how to write a first draft here if you’re interested!
GOD EVERYTHING IS GETTING SO REAL. I’m going to do NaNo for the first time this year and I feel like I am sweating all over and already ready to mentally stumble over my thoughts and ideas and characters and plot arcs. My brain is so fussy and messy and blurry. This is nerve-wrecking. But also beautiful. I have read the synopsis of so many books that could be awesome and I’m feeling ready to take this on. (Fingers crossed.) Don’t know all the details yet but my story is about modern witches, how technology and media and everything crossing into magic and powers and how society and their quirks and problems intertwine with my magic system. It’s gonna be about a group of witches and wizards that go to uni and do their jobs and educate themselves in their field of study (healing, herbs etc.) while dealing with those magic-amplifying-drugs and this cult that starts to form that has to do with *spoilers*. I AM SO EXCITED AND I NEED YOU TO WISH ME LUCK CAIT.
lots of LOVE (and again: so so proud of you for your novel and that your’re getting published. Keep reaching for the stars!!!!!) (This is gonna be my comment-ending-thingy from now on, I just know it.)
<33333
SO CLOSE TO NANO, JANINA. ARE YOU READY FOR ALL THE PAIN AND WONDER. 😂😂 Oooh and your story sounds AMAZING. I love like paranormal/urban fantasy like that! And omg witches/wizards in uni, eeeeep. Like an older Hogwarts. I love it!
GOOD LUCK. YOU’VE GOT THIS!!
(And aww thank you about my book!!😂)
Yay! I have finally done one of these link-ups! It was fun, except peeling back all the layer’s of my story’s inspiration revealed scary, heavy reality stuff. (You have been warned.)
I can’t believe it’s almost NaNo. I better work on more plans for my beginning so I can start smoothly. Eek!
Yay so glad you joined in Jethan!! 🎉🎉