Are you considering taking on the NaNoWriMo challenge? Whether you plan to draft a novel in November officially, or simply want to think more about the art of drafting and how you can face the blank page with more flow, this episode is for you!

In this season, Alex and I have decided to take on the NaNoWriMo challenge, and are sharing our experience as we go in order to keep ourselves motivated and on track … and in hopes of inspiring you to do the same. In this episode, How to Set Yourself Up for NaNoWriMo, we’ll discuss strategies that will help you prepare for smoother sailing as you draft.

In today’s conversation, Alex and I discuss:

• How to create a loose plan for drafting that leaves room for surprises
• How to get to know your character in advance
• Tools for brainstorming scenes and plot points
• Strategies for building your creative confidence

LISTEN IN:

And since November hasn’t started quite yet, you may still be in need of some idea exploration. If you want to develop a brand new character, check out my Skillshare Class: Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character. On this episode’s webpage, there’s a link for a free trial to the Skillshare platform so that you can take that class for free.

For this season, I decided not to make individual RGs for each episode. You have enough to focus on with your own writing project. However, I did create a little book of drafting strategies that you can use on days when you’re in need of a little extra mojo. You can download those drafting strategies by visiting the show’s webpage, scrolling to the bottom, and signing up for Creative Lift resources.

EPISODE LINKS:

Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character

Find me on Instagram: @naomikinsman

Find Alex on Instagram: @ag.doherty

You can also help others find the show by rating and reviewing it on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to the show. Your words make such a difference for them—and for me, as I continue to create this show. Many, many thanks in advance. And of course, a big thank you to Alex for joining me in this conversation, and for editing the show.

Welcome to season five of Creative Lift: Dive Into the NaNoWriMo Challenge! I’m Naomi Kinsman, and you’re listening to episode 36, How to Choose a Project for NaNoWriMo.

In case you’ve never heard of NaNoWriMo—it’s a challenge started by an organization of that same name, in which writers are invited to draft a novel in the month of November.

Now you may not be a novelist yourself, or you might be someone who doesn’t like to draft quickly—before you skip this season entirely, I want you to know that this season will be packed with tips and tricks for the art of drafting. Drafting takes a special mindset, one you can develop and fine-tune. Imagine if, when you next face the blank page, you didn’t have to cross your fingers and hope inspiration would strike? What if you had a mental toolkit to make slipping into the flow state easier?

Last season, we discussed revision and explored a variety of tools you can use to shape a story. But before you can do that, you need a story to work with. And to have that story, you need to draft. You can struggle through, or you can stumble through, or you can flow through. My deep hope is that more of us can flow through—and that is what this season is all about. So, if you are curious about drafting, about tackling the blank page, about flow, or about NaNoWriMo, this season is for you.

If you listened in last season, you met Alex Doherty, who is the editor for Creative Lift, and who is also a fellow middle grade writer. When I told Alex I planned to take on the NaNoWriMo challenge this coming November, he said he wanted to do so, too. So, we decided we’d record our conversations about planning for the challenge, and then record quick sessions along the way as we draft in November, to keep ourselves on track, and hopefully to inspire you to draft along with us.

If you’re listening to this episode when it releases, you’ll be tuning in during October 2022, and that means it is perfect timing to prep your novel writing plan for this coming November. If you’re listening at any other time, remember that there are no rules that you must draft in any specific month. You can take on a similar challenge at any time. If you’re ready to draft, by all means, don’t let the calendar or other people’s expectations get in your way.

In today’s episode, Alex and I will talk about how we’re choosing our NaNoWriMo projects this year. My hope is that our discussion will expand your view of what’s possible and give you permission to make the best use of November’s challenge, even if you aren’t currently ready to start a brand new project.

Here’s our conversation:

In every CL episode, our hope is that you walk away inspired and encouraged. As you consider today’s conversation, what question or idea might you take away?

Next week, we’ll talk about How to Set Yourself Up for NaNoWriMo. We’ll discuss how you can give yourself gifts ahead of time that make the drafting process flow more smoothly.

Until then, here’s to you and your creativity!

For this season, I decided not to make individual RGs for each episode. You have enough to focus on with your own writing project. However, I did create a little book of drafting strategies that you can use on days when you’re in need of a little extra mojo. You can download those drafting strategies by visiting the show’s webpage, scrolling to the bottom, and signing up for Creative Lift resources.

And since November hasn’t started quite yet, you may still be in need of some idea exploration. If you want to develop a brand new character, check out my Skillshare Class: Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character. On this episode’s webpage, there’s a link for a free trial to the Skillshare platform so that you can take that class for free.

As we wrap up today, my question for you is: What project is drawing your excitement and enthusiasm? Might this be the year to try out the NaNoWriMo challenge?

If you know someone who might also benefit from listening to this episode, I’d be so grateful if you’d pass it along to them.

EPISODE LINKS:

Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character

Find me on Instagram: @naomikinsman 

 Find Alex on Instagram: @ag.doherty

You can also help others find the show by rating and reviewing it on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to the show. Your words make such a difference for them—and for me, as I continue to create this show. Many, many thanks in advance. And of course, a big thank you to Alex for joining me in this conversation, and for editing the show.

Where do you start with a full novel revision?
We’re finishing up season four of the podcast, Behind the Scenes of a Full-Novel
Revision, in which Alex Doherty, a fellow writer, and I have been discussing his full-novel
revision. Our conversation has been guided by his questions and goals for the
manuscript, and today we’re wrapping up the discussion. Alex has started his revision
process, using some of the strategies we’ve discussed this season, and he has some
insights to share.

LISTEN IN:

A huge thank you to Alex Doherty, who records and edits Creative Lift.

The feedback approach we’ve used in this season references Design Thinking tools and
mindsets. If you’d like to explore further how to apply Design Thinking to your writing
process, check out our Skillshare course, Design Thinking for Writers: Create a
Compelling Character, at this link.

EPISODE LINKS:

Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character

Find me on Instagram: @naomikinsman 

 Find Alex on Instagram: @ag.doherty

Like this episode and want more? If so, I’d be ever so grateful if you’d follow and review the show:

How do you speed up and slow down the pace in your stories? And when do you
choose to speed up or slow down? What purpose does pacing serve in our storytelling?

We’re in season four of the podcast, Behind the Scenes of a Full-Novel Revision, in
which I’m discussing a full novel revision with my fellow writer, Alex Doherty, a fellow
middle-grade writer. In today’s episode, we’re discussing pace.

LISTEN IN:

A huge thank you to Alex Doherty, who records and edits Creative Lift.

The feedback approach we’ve used in this season references Design Thinking tools and
mindsets. If you’d like to explore further how to apply Design Thinking to your writing
process, check out our Skillshare course, Design Thinking for Writers: Create a
Compelling Character, at this link.

EPISODE LINKS:

Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character

Find me on Instagram: @naomikinsman 

 Find Alex on Instagram: @ag.doherty

Like this episode and want more? If so, I’d be ever so grateful if you’d follow and review the show:

Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, for every writer there’s generally room to amplify a
character arc in your novel once you’ve completed a full draft. But what does that
process look like, beyond firming up the first scene, the climax, and the final scenes?

We’re in season four of the podcast, Behind the Scenes of a Full-Novel Revision, in
which I’m discussing a full novel revision with my fellow writer, Alex Doherty, a fellow
middle-grade writer. In today’s episode, we’re looking at one of the most important
aspects to consider in a full-novel revision, the character arc.

LISTEN IN:

A huge thank you to Alex Doherty, who records and edits Creative Lift.

The feedback approach we’ve used in this season references Design Thinking tools and
mindsets. If you’d like to explore further how to apply Design Thinking to your writing
process, check out our Skillshare course, Design Thinking for Writers: Create a
Compelling Character, at this link.

EPISODE LINKS:

Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character

Find me on Instagram: @naomikinsman 

 Find Alex on Instagram: @ag.doherty

Like this episode and want more? If so, I’d be ever so grateful if you’d follow and review the show:

Even if a story isn’t a mystery, there’s something about a great question that keeps us
turning pages. We want to know: What’s the answer? But can a question draw out too
long? How many questions does it take to turn suspense into confusion?

We’re in season four of the podcast, Behind the Scenes of a Full-Novel Revision, in
which I’m discussing a full novel revision with my fellow writer, Alex Doherty, a fellow
middle-grade writer. In today’s episode, we’re looking at questions and the role they
play in storytelling and pace.

LISTEN IN:

A huge thank you to Alex Doherty, who records and edits Creative Lift.

The feedback approach we’ve used in this season references Design Thinking tools and
mindsets. If you’d like to explore further how to apply Design Thinking to your writing
process, check out our Skillshare course, Design Thinking for Writers: Create a
Compelling Character, at this link.

EPISODE LINKS:

Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character

Find me on Instagram: @naomikinsman 

 Find Alex on Instagram: @ag.doherty

Like this episode and want more? If so, I’d be ever so grateful if you’d follow and review the show:

Aside from interior monologue, are there other ways to clue a reader into a character’s
thoughts and emotions? How might we keep a reader informed if we don’t want to
submerge them in a sea of rumination?
We’re in season four of the podcast, Behind the Scenes of a Full-Novel Revision, in
which I’m discussing a full novel revision with my fellow writer, Alex Doherty, a fellow
middle-grade writer. Our conversation is guided by his questions and goals for the
manuscript, and today we’re looking at interior monologue.

LISTEN IN:

A huge thank you to Alex Doherty, who records and edits Creative Lift.

The feedback approach we’ve used in this season references Design Thinking tools and
mindsets. If you’d like to explore further how to apply Design Thinking to your writing
process, check out our Skillshare course, Design Thinking for Writers: Create a
Compelling Character, at this link.

EPISODE LINKS:

Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character

Find me on Instagram: @naomikinsman 

 Find Alex on Instagram: @ag.doherty

Like this episode and want more? If so, I’d be ever so grateful if you’d follow and review the show:

When does a character’s voice come to life for you? And if you’re struggling to find a
character’s voice, what strategies might you use to illuminate it?
We’re in season four of the podcast, Behind the Scenes of a Full-Novel Revision, in
which I’m discussing a full-novel revision with Alex Doherty. In today’s episode, we’re
considering how Alex might build on the connection his readers feel with his characters.
He wants readers to be in the know about what’s going on, while also keeping up the
pace and excitement of the plot.
This season offers tools and questions to support you in a full novel revision. The goal is
that you’ll enhance your own desired effect while strengthening your unique writerly
voice.

LISTEN IN:

A huge thank you to Alex Doherty, who records and edits Creative Lift.

The feedback approach we’ve used in this season references Design Thinking tools and
mindsets. If you’d like to explore further how to apply Design Thinking to your writing
process, check out our Skillshare course, Design Thinking for Writers: Create a
Compelling Character at this link.

EPISODE LINKS:

Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character

Find Naomi on Instagram: @naomikinsman

Find Alex on Instagram: @ag.doherty

Like this episode and want more? If so, I’d be ever so grateful if you’d follow and review the show:

When you’re reading, do you prefer to look at a character from a distance? Do you prefer to be deep in their thoughts? Or somewhere in between? And when you’re writing, how do you craft the distance between your fictional creations and your readers?

We’re in season four of the podcast, Behind the Scenes of a Full-Novel Revision, in which I’m discussing a full-novel revision with Alex Doherty. Our conversation is guided by his questions and goals for the manuscript, and today we’re looking at narrative distance. 

We’re considering how Alex might play with making the reader feel connected to his characters, and in the know about what’s going on, while also keeping up the pace and excitement of the plot.

This season offers tools and questions to support you in a full novel revision. The goal is that you’ll enhance your own desired effect while strengthening your unique writerly voice.

LISTEN IN:

A huge thank you to Alex Doherty, who records and edits Creative Lift.

The feedback approach we’ve used in this season references Design Thinking tools and mindsets. If you’d like to explore further how to apply Design Thinking to your writing process, check out our Skillshare course, Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character at this link.

EPISODE LINKS:

Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character

Find Naomi on Instagram: @naomikinsman

Find Alex on Instagram: @ag.doherty

Like this episode and want more? If so, I’d be ever so grateful if you’d follow and review the show:

Welcome to season four of Creative Lift: Behind the Scenes of a Full-Novel Revision. We’re experimenting with an alternate format this season, not to replace what we do here at Creative Lift, but to offer another type of invitation for you. 

Sometimes it’s helpful to be walked through an exercise, or presented with new ideas, the way we often do at Creative Lift. Other times, it’s helpful to hear those ideas applied. That’s why we decided to record a behind-the-scenes conversation that applies the tools that we explored last season: Design Thinking Tools for Writers. 

One of the biggest ways that Design Thinking reframes the writing process is that it invites you, the writer, to consider how others might collaborate with you in your process. How might you invite feedback in a way that supports you and builds your creative confidence, while staying true to your personal vision for your work?

This season will be a case study for that kind of collaborative conversation. I’m thrilled that this season also allows me to introduce you to Alex Doherty, who is not only my collaborator and editor for both Creative Lift and our Writerly Play Skillshare classes, but also a fellow middle grade author. In this season, we’ll share a conversation that considers a number of full-novel revision strategies that Alex is working with in his novel, Audrey Gray vs. the PTA.

In today’s episode, we start by giving you a birds’ eye view of Alex’s novel and his goals for what he wants to work on with this revision. You’ll notice that the conversation is driven by Alex’s questions rather than my perspective as his feedback partner. 

Here are the key questions we’re exploring during this season: How might a writer frame the feedback discussion in a way that supports their goals for their project, and also helps them see their work from an outside perspective? How might they maintain full ownership over the revision process rather than outsourcing that responsibility to their feedback partner?

This season offers tools and questions to support you in a full novel revision. The goal is that you’ll enhance your own desired effect while strengthening your unique writerly voice. 

LISTEN IN:

A huge thank you to Alex Doherty, who records and edits Creative Lift.

The feedback approach we’ve used in this season references Design Thinking tools and mindsets. If you’d like to explore further how to apply Design Thinking to your writing process, check out our Skillshare course, Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character at this link.

EPISODE LINKS:

Design Thinking for Writers: Create a Compelling Character

Find Naomi on Instagram: @naomikinsman

Find Alex on Instagram: @ag.doherty

Like this episode and want more? If so, I’d be ever so grateful if you’d follow and review the show: