5 Tips for When You’ve Fallen Behind During NaNoWriMo

by Lewis / November 22, 2022 / NaNoWriMo, Other

One of the worst parts of NaNoWriMo is falling behind.

We always start our drafts with the best of intentions. You’re going to write for an hour every day, or write a thousand words each week, or finish your novel by the end of November. However, life has a habit of getting in the way—and soon enough, you’ve fallen behind.

When this happens, it can feel impossible to catch up, and if you’re not careful, your novel will slowly fizzle out. But there is a way to keep making progress. So, let me share my five tips for catching up on your writing goals when life makes writing difficult.

5 Writing Sprints for Winning NaNoWriMo

by Lewis / November 8, 2022 / NaNoWriMo, Other

Procrastination is the death of many writing attempts…

…and this is especially true during National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo is all about writing your novel quickly in order to finish your first draft in only one month—but, with so many distractions, roadblocks, and pesky inner editors, it’s easy for your progress to stall.

Enter, writing sprints! With a few simple sprints, you can push past procrastination and write more efficiently, too. All you need is a basic timer, a sheet of paper, and a few minutes to spare. So, let me introduce you to five handy writing sprints!

How to Write an Awesome Ensemble Cast

by Lewis / September 6, 2022 / Character Development

“Why pick just one?”

This is a question I often hear from writers when I ask them to pick their protagonist. Usually, they’ve created a huge cast of characters they adore, with no single “hero” standing above the rest. In a situation like this, it’s no surprise they wonder—why not write an ensemble cast?

Of course, a successful ensemble cast requires a lot of care, and not every cast warrants this label (even if they look like an ensemble on the surface). So, in this article, let’s explore what an ensemble cast really is—as well as six steps for writing an ensemble of your own!

3 Ways to Find a Thriving Writing Community

by Lewis / July 19, 2022 / Other

Many writers work alone—but should they?

Though writing a novel is often a solitary endeavor, the truth is that every writer needs a writing community. This community is there to hold you accountable, encourage you to grow, and provide support when you need it most. Like it or not, nearly all successful writers have someone (or multiple someones) in the background cheering them on.

Luckily, it’s easy to find a thriving writing community of your own—it just takes knowing where to look! So, whether you’re planning to join an online writing group or create your own tight-knit community of critique partners, here are three places to start your search.

How to Write an Anti-Hero Readers Will Adore

by Lewis / July 5, 2022 / Character Development

Anti-heroes are a feature in nearly every genre.

From rough romantic leads to swarmy space pirates, the best anti-hero strikes a delicate balance between smug, sarcastic villain and genuine hero. This isn’t always easy to pull off, but when you succeed, the result is an addictive character readers can’t look away from.

How do you write an anti-hero of your own? Well, there’s a lot to consider, from the many types of anti-heroes to the difference between anti-heroes and villains (or even anti-heroes and normal heroes)! So, let me walk you through everything you need to know to write an anti-hero—as well as six signs you’ve gotten it right!