To say that 2020 has been a crazy year is an understatement. What we’ve experienced is stranger than fiction, and whatever plans we made for this year surely were disrupted in some way.
Now that we’re about to close out 2020, it’s important to process all that happened (or didn’t happen) for us as writers this year.
We need to find out what worked and what didn’t, so that we can double down on the things that brought us results and eliminate whatever is draining our time, energy, and creativity.
Author Year-End Review
What worked for you? What didn’t? Let’s analyze.
What reasons do you have to celebrate?
What helped or hindered your creativity?
How close were you to your writing, publishing, and sales goals?
What daily habits and mindsets are holding you back?
If you want to make 2021 your best year ever as a writer, then the Author’s Year-End Review will help you 100%.
Did you “win” NaNo? Are you already intoxicated by the sweet smell of success? Congratulations—you’ve earned it!
Let’s talk about what you should—and shouldn’t—do for your next steps. Don’t make these mistakes with your NaNoWriMo Novel.
Congratulations! You Won NaNoWriMo! What’s Next?
Those who didn’t make it learned some valuable lessons about writing, themselves, and their approach to writing—so truly, there is no such thing as NOT winning NaNoWriMo because whether you make that 50,000-word count or not, you’re a better writer now than you were a month ago.
So whether you’ve already finished your first draft or you expect to do so sometime next year, here are three things you shouldn’t do when you cross the finish line:
1. Don’t throw anything away.
Is your 50,000-word first draft ready for publication? Of course not—but neither should it be deleted from your hard drive. Yes, allegedly there are writers who do that, but please do NOT become one of them.
Even if you’re a writer who believes the act of putting your butt in a seat for 30 days and churning out the bones of a novel is enough of a reward without having to ever read what you wrote, please believe that you’ve written some gems.
Okay, maybe you’ll delete some—or most—of those 50,000 words, but save them in a separate folder. In a month or two, you may reread a well-turned phrase you’d forgotten about and will have a brainstorm for an entirely new scene . . . or character . . . or novel!
2. Don’t begin editing your manuscript.
You’ve spent plus or minus thirty days with this manuscript—and if you outlined in October, that number goes up. Believe me, now is NOT the time to begin editing. You’re too close to your story, and let’s face it—you’ve had an exhausting, emotional month.
Do a happy dance, pat yourself on the back, announce to the world (or at least your Facebook friends) that YOU DID IT, and then put your manuscript away for a while.
For how long? Opinions vary on this one, but long enough that when you open it up again, the story feels new and fresh in that “I can’t believe I wrote this” way. That might be a month or a year, but it shouldn’t be tomorrow. Give yourself some time away to gain a little perspective, and you’ll have more clarity once you being to edit and revise.
Taking a very rough first draft and molding it into a saleable novel will require some ruthless revising and self-editing, so give yourself enough time away to gain perspective.
3. Don’t stop writing.
If you’re like most NaNoWriMo authors, you’re pretty excited about ending November with 50,000 words—maybe you have the first draft of a novel, maybe only a third of a longer manuscript, but nevertheless, you’ve written a bodacious number of words in 30 days, and you’ve accomplished something pretty spectacular.
So why quit now? You’ve proven to yourself that you can make the time to write every day, so wrap your mind around that new reality and keep writing.
In my book, every writer who even attempts NaNoWriMo is a winner. And although I know it will be a few months before those drafts are polished enough to make their way to an editor, I’m already looking forward to the day when that happens. For an editor, the thrill is in peeking under the hood, so to speak, and helping to polish a novel that was only an idea in your head a mere month ago. I can’t wait!
“The Writers Mastermind has been the leaping stone in my writing. Each month offers a new theme and focus towards the Writers’ Dream. I have found my voice, structure, and have gotten immeasurable feedback on my works.”
Charlotta Amato, Short Story Writer
“Ever since I joined Writers’ Mastermind, I have felt more like a writer and part of a writing family than I ever have before. I have gained confidence in my writing, learned who I am and how I want to be as a writer.”
Clennell Anthony, The Circle
“An empowering mastermind group, definitely the best I have ever been a part of. The warmhearted community is genuinely a reason to get excited and I learn as much from my peers as I do from the exceptional courses.”
Joseph Sale, The Black Gate Series, Save Game
“The classes are awesome. They offer perspective, as well as tips and tricks that many may not have thought of when it comes to not only creating their books, but promoting them. It’s worth much more than what we pay, and that is a total win-win situation.”
Sandra Hould, Future Novelist
“It’s been a boon for me to work and interact with this diverse range of authors. I’ve received fantastic constructive feedback, friendly motivation and support through the struggles in my writing process, and accountability to keep me focused on critical tasks.”
S.M. Fedor, Band-Aid for a Bullet Wound, Better People
Groundbreaking YA Fantasy from The Writing Collective
We at the Writers’ mastermind are celebrating the release of the first in what is sure to be an unforgettable series, Hecctrossipy Book One: The Legend of the Land. This genre-bending YA Fantasy is by Writers’ Mastermind founding member, Bia Bella Baker, and our community will agree that it has been inspiring to watch this culmination of her publication journey. Here’s a bit about this epic tale!
HECCTROSSIPY: BOOK ONE: THE LEGEND OF THE LAND
The alignment of the three moons is a sign of positive changes to come… But the moons never promised that such changes will happen to everybody…
On the pre-industrial planet of Velva Leena, two sisters eagerly anticipate the Hecctrossipy Festival, Continent 15’s yearly tradition that celebrates the victory over a legendary evil monster who had the power to manipulate the elements and create chaos.
Artheena is smart, talented, beautiful, and blessed with multiple gifted abilities. Mell May, on the other hand, is simple and average. Both are in love with Leeandro Paul, a celebrity heart-throb who has an intriguing way of turning the leaders of the land into his followers.
Artheena has a premonition of marrying him during the alignment of the three moons. While on her quest for true love, she gets caught up in unexpected adventures, embarrassing situations, and experiences beyond her wildest dreams, including an outrageous contest that challenges Continent 15’s strict, conservative social standards.
Through it all, Artheena and Mell May’s close bond is also challenged. When the festival comes, the sisters have the time of their lives… Until Leeandro Paul makes an announcement that shocks his fans, an unimaginable secret that might tear the two sisters apart for good.
What readers are saying…
‘Hecctrossipy marks the debut of a bold and distinctive new voice in YA fantasy. The fantastic adventures of Artheena and Mell, and their battle for the affections of the charismatic Leeandro Paul, will thrill fans of The Hunger Games and teen fantasy romance. This is all set within the impressive feat of world-building that is the planet Velva Leena and Continent 15, amid the feverish anticipation of the Hecctrossipy Festival, commemorating victory over a fabled monster who had the power to manipulate the elements and create chaos… I for one certainly look forward to the next instalment!’
Andrew Murray author of Shroom Raider
‘A bountiful feast for the senses, a stunning world building debut from a very promising talent – if you like your science fiction with a huge slice of teenage angst, and a cast of terrifically realised characters… look no further than Hecctrossipy – this is that start to what I can only imagine being a fabulous series!’
In many cases, we are the only thing holding ourselves backfrom wild success as an author. This is partly because we don’t feel comfortable “promoting” ourselves.
Just forget about the word self-promote, shameless or otherwise.
It’s about allowing ourselves to shine.
So stop selling yourself and start sharing yourself.
We need to expand fearlessly because life is too short to play small and sit around waiting for people to discover your writing.
Someone is waiting to read your words.
Do you believe in your stories?
Then you have nothing to fear. Offer this gift to the world.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?
― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”
Learn how to be your own PR manager (MASTERCLASS)
(Time to complete: 35 minutes)
Learn public relations skills to take your book releases to the stratosphere without feeling like you’re selling your soul.
As a writing coach, Joseph Sale knows that everyone has a story burning inside them. It’s his job to nurture that flame, and when the time is right, let it shine. He has coached numerous writers from nobody/nothing humble beginnings who have gone on to receive professional publication credits after working with him through one-to-one sessions. His story-writing technique derives from the classical 5 Act model, but adapted for the modern age with influences from Henry James and other American writers.
In this masterclass with Joseph Sale we will discuss:
How to formulate an opening that hooks
The correct place to add backstory and details
How to “turn the screw” to crank up the suspense and tension
The secrets to creating a satisfying, impactful ending your readers will never forget
Who this class is for
New writers who want to learn the framework powerful storytellers have used throughout the ages
Experienced writers who want to hit all the right narrative notes to take their storytelling to the next level
What’s included
A 6-Part Video Series
The 5 Act Structure Workbook – analyze your stories for optimum structure
Ongoing structure chats and challenges in the Facebook group
Live Q&A Zoom call with Joseph Sale (recorded for replay)
Cost
FREE. Included with your 30-day FREE trial at the Writers’ Mastermind. Register here.
Act 1: The Opening
Every story must have a beginning. The problem is, where and when to begin.
In this part, we discuss:
Creating the Inciting Incident
Who needs to be introduced
Nailing the opening line
Establishing Person, Place, and Action
Setting Up External Forces
Act 2: The Complication
How to develop the narrative, “turn the screw,” and complicate things for our protagonist.
In this part, we talk about:
How to make the reader care about our characters
Where to add flashbacks and backstory without bogging down the flow
Introducing villains in interesting ways
Establishing stakes and then raising them
Act 3 : The Crisis
Most people view stories as one continuous process of escalation. But actually, they are more dynamic than that.
In this part, we discuss:
The crisis that needs to happen in Act 3
How do get our readers invested in the outcome
Why we need to give our characters the upper hand, at least for a moment
Act 4 : The Revelation
The point in the narrative where a surprising truth comes to light.
In this part, we talk about:
The descent into hell, the lowest part of the story
How the revelation can be physical, emotional, spiritual, or a mixture of all three
Examples of Act 4 revelations
Act 5 : Catharsis
The story reaches its climax and denouement, the final part of the story in which everything converges and is resolved.
In this part, we talk about:
How to create a sense of catharsis for the reader
The dynamic of loss and gain
How to balance your ending for maximum impact
Bonus Lesson:
What happens when the story structure is out of sync?
What interesting things can be done with the 5 Act Structure?
Joseph Sale gives us examples of The 5 Act Structure using real movies and books from all time periods and genres.
How to register
Get FREE accessto The 5 Act Structure Masterclass with Joseph Sale, plus all our other masterclasses, resources, and Zoom calls.
