Tonight, as the world sleeps, I'll be wide awake waiting for the local church clock to strike midnight to begin my NaNoWriMo project for November 2022. I've prepped and planned as usual and am raring to make a start on this year's challenge. Previous Camp NaNos in April 2022 and July 2022 were hampered by the arrival of edits which needed my attention, but this time I have no other projects to distract me from my November project. Though, I have probably just jinxed myself by typing that!

The image is my current progress graph, taken from my official NaNoWriMo website, the grey blobs are my target points for each day. Hit each one on a daily basis and I stay on track - my intention is to exceed the daily word count to gain a buffer zone.
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There's four days until this year's NaNoWriMo begins - yay! If you're a regular followers you'll know how happy I am right now; it won't surprise you to know I'm participating. My project is next year's Christmas book, 'Christmas wishes at the Lakeside Cottage' which comes out September 2023. 

In recent weeks, since handing in my last submission, I've been plotting and researching the background material for characters and plot. I'm quite excited about this project as it has a personal interest for me which has made research a danger zone as I can get lost down a rabbit hole for hours, but a dream to do.

In preparation for Tuesday, I have created my usual manuscript book containing character names, details alongside photographs found on Pinterest. I've created my manuscript template which I always use whilst writing as it feels like my safe space in which to create. My books have three main female characters, so I type in coloured fonts assigning a different colour to each woman's viewpoint. It makes it easier to maintain the correct viewpoint preventing me from slipping into another characters' voice. It also makes my manuscript  very pretty when I have to spend hours looking at the screen!

I've created several mind-maps relating to potential conflict which could occur in this particular set-up of a blended family situation, so there is plenty of scope for the good, the bad and the ugly to arise at Christmas time. I have my Christmas tunes at hand too, they are most helpful when I've written festive books in the middle of June, so this year's project is more appropriately timed. 

Most authors are stationery squirrels, so I have my usual assortment of notebooks, post-it notes and coloured pens - anyone who isn't that way inclined simply doesn't get the thrill of sniffing a new notebook! 

I've visited the official NaNoWriMo website and updated my project details - yes, OK I did that on 1st October not that I'm eager! And have checked out the various forums on offer this year, they regularly update them though I don't tend to use them once the month has started. I've also checked out my 'stats' page - this is the little darling I love to view at the end of each day as it gives me colourful little graphs charting my progress. In previous years, when I wasn't confident about completing NaNoWriMo I used to gain motivation from this page to spur me on to the next blue dot. I've also accepted a couple of new 'buddy' writers this year, who will be able to interact with me and also see my progress. Which might sound weird but it helps to keep you motivated knowing that others are writing alongside and they can see your word count!  

These final four days are filled with anticipation for me, like the countdown to Christmas, but I have to make the most of them because I'll impose the necessary curfews and restrictions to other hobbies and interests in favour of my NaNo project. Today, I'm going out for a 'book shop' shop purely because I won't be book shopping during November, which means I'm bound to purchase my 2023 diary, as is my custom. I always start a new reading book to run alongside NaNo which is away from my specific genre, so have chosen Daphne Du Maurier's 'My Cousin Rachel' to provide a suitable escape during my down time.

If you've read this far, you're probably getting the gist of my love for this annual event. I make no apologies for my obsession, as it has provided me with virtually every published book I currently have! Which explains why my current participation in NaNoWriMo has topped 895,000 words!  

Press for the link: NaNoWriMo.org - its free to join and participate. 

If you're a reader or an aspiring author who prefers to use FaceBook for updates, please feel free to search for 'Erin Green Readers' on the FB platform. You'll need to answer a few simple questions and adhere to some basic common sense rules, regarding respect towards other users, in order to join. Members are free to ask questions about current projects, previous inspirations and my publication journey as they wish via the discussion wall.


Press here for a link:

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Come and join us for a cuppa and a cake! 30 places are available so booking is essential via Eventbrite: BOOK HERE

My eagle-eyed followers may have spotted the new titles for 2023 listed beneath my published books. A brand-new series set in Cumbria is being published in May 2023, with a Christmas book to be released in September 2023. We're talking Beatrix Potter country, William Wordsworth landscapes and a cute holiday cottage! I'm thrilled to say both titles are available to preorder for just 99 pence, which is always a bargain for any reader. 

Summer Dreams at the Lakeside Cottage - 25th May 2023: press here to preorder


Christmas Wishes at the Lakeside Cottage - 28th Sept 2023: press here to preorder

I realise not everyone uses the Twitter platform so here's a selection of quotes that I regularly post as a means of boosting my own motivation and productivity.