NaNoWriMo is an abbreviation for the National Novel Writing Month.  The challenge:  Write 50,000 words toward a novel between November 1 and November 30. 

Since 50K is a lot of output in a short time, the focus is on the writing, not editing, revising, or plotting.  To stand a good chance of reaching the goal, you have to hit the ground running.  Fictionista Workshop has posted several articles and resource lists to assist you.

If you're willing to give it a go, it also helps to build up a support network.  Join with us on the Forums, and/or sign up for the official program at www.nanowrimo.org.  Have a blog or website?  Put a meter (available at the official website) on your page.

Remember, even if you don't make fifty thousand, every step forward is a step that gains ground. 

In honor of Banned Books week, Courting the Classics program manager Charmaine reviews Farenheit 451. Share your thoughts on censorship and enter to win an autographed first edition copy of A Pleasure to Burn by Ray Radbury. 

Fictionista Workshop believes that classic pieces of literature, such as Farenheit 451, can be a valuable asset to today's readers and writers.  Come and share your views with the on-line writing community at Fictionista's Courting the Classics review homepage.

Review by Brianna



This week in our Courting the Classics Series, we are looking at the classic Jules Verne novel, Journey to the Center of the Earth. Brianna, a Fictionista Workshop volunteer, has written a fascinating review of this exciting story, and you can read her thoughts by visiting the Fictionista Workshop.

On August 30, 2010 Bitten by Books, a paranormal fiction website, hosted an event with author Jayne Castle. Fictionista Workshop, in its efforts to provide insight into the lives of published authors, participated in the event. Karla, a Fictionista Workshop volunteer, submitted several questions to the author.

Jayne Castle is a New York Times bestseller of contemporary, historical, futuristic, paranormal, romantic-suspense novels under three pen names: Jayne Castle, Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick. She is also a contributor and editor to a non-fiction essay collection, DANGEROUS MEN AND ADVENTUROUS WOMEN: ROMANCE WRITERS ON THE APPEAL OF THE ROMANCE published by the University of Pennsylvania Press. To learn more about Jayne, please visit her website www.jaynecastle.com.

To read the entire interview, visit www.fictionistaworkshop.com.

"Write Every Day" is on of the most popular pieces of advice given to writers.  No other practice challenges the mind, provokes the imagination, and does so much to encourage a writer to continue practicing their craft!

But what about time?  The prospect of trying to write  at the same time every day can be discouraging, but if you can find even twenty minutes to write - when waking up, on lunch break, or while dinner is cooking - you can develop your style, sharpen your ability to pair words and ideas, and stir your creative imagination.

Prepare to stretch your creative wings!! 

Sign up today to receive daily writing prompts via email!

Don't forget to follow Fictionista's WitFit Daily on Twitter.  

Originally published at Fictionista Workshop. Please leave any comments there.

Last week we tweeted: Readers, we ask you: What 3 tips can you give authors to help them earn your readership and interest?

Here were the responses:

jenndema @fictionistawksp DEVELOP your characters. Take your time & make it believable. Don’t suddenly have them act a certain way b/c it’s convenient

jenndema @fictionistawksp Don’t get bogged down in minutia. I don’t need every detail of every outfit& every move a char. makes. Let us imagine.

Chele681 @fictionistawksp Be bold. Avoid redundancy. Stay true to the characters.

Thia2 @fictionistawksp Stories must have correct grammar and spelling. Mistakes make story look amatuerish, even if basic story is good #3tips

Thia2 @fictionistawksp Stories need realistic dialogue. If it sounds artifical or stilted, it quickly kills believability and interest #3tips

Thia2 @fictionistawksp Be gracious to your readers. Use a/n to provide updates, clarify areas of confusion. Don’t grovel for reviews :) #3tips

arfalcon @fictionistawksp 1. Develop a compelling story and write it well. 2. Use a Beta who is willing to make u rewrite. 3. Leave us wanting more.

thurtysomething @fictionistawksp earn it: 1. Original idea 2. Well written & edited 3. Characters I can relate to

thurtysomething @fictionistawksp keep it: 1. Don’t bad mouth the readers 2. Believable plot progression 3. Stay out of the drama

TMIQueen @fictionistawksp 1. Get a beta who knows what they’re doing, as far as grammar/spelling/punctuation. (continued…)

TMIQueen @fictionistawksp 2. Either complete the story ahead of time, or write an outline to ensure regular updates (continued…)

TMIQueen @fictionistawksp 3. Make it believable! Do your research about the place, career of your character, sex, pregnancy (ask a friend or GOOGLE)

Mama_Cougar @fictionistawksp @iksswrites 3 tips: Be vigilant w/ spelling & grammar / Keep your lemons relevant to the story / NEVER use the word cunt

alonelily @fictionistawksp 1. Proof, proof and proof again (or get a beta). Great stories get flounced if too many spelling/grammar errors. (con’t)…

alonelily @fictionistawksp 2) Create engaging characters with real himan emotion. Be realistic with their interactions, dialog.

alonelily @fictionistawksp 3) Authors notes that are self-congratulatory or too “cutsie” are a big turn-off. Be humble.

lobsters4ever1 @fictionistawksp 1: Plot/storyline 2: Character development 3: Grammar (Bonus: Review replies get readers more invested w/story & author)

Ailisraevyn @fictionistawksp 1.Keep the reader involved - constantly thinking, guessing, feeling. 2.Know where you’re going. 3.Be grateful-don’t grovel

epipole @fictionistawksp 1.Be careful with double POV - it is tiresome to read the plot twice 2.Don’t glorify drugs 3.Don’t focus on outfits

VaginaBookClub @fictionistawksp character development, shorter chapters (illusion of achievement) & descrip. should be entertaining, not long and winded…

Originally published at Fictionista Workshop. Please leave any comments there.

Word Prompt: Unselfish

Binding Blurb: Rock star

We’ll post your prompt in the comments section below, so feel free to comment. Don’t forget to also share it with your readers!

Originally published at Fictionista Workshop. Please leave any comments there.

Word Prompt: Fade

Phrase Catch: Repeat the following phrase to yourself five times, open a blank document and begin: “Bite the dust.”

We’ll post your prompt in the comments section below, so feel free to comment. Don’t forget to also share it with your readers!

Originally published at Fictionista Workshop. Please leave any comments there.

Reflection Day: Pause to reflect on your progress and goals, and review your work from the preceding week.