Write Your Damn Novel: A podcast about writing a book in a month
Write Your Damn Novel (formerly How to Win NaNo) is a no-nonsense guide to writing a novel in 30 days. Like it or not November comes every year, but don't you worry — your hosts are here for you! Kristina Horner and Liz Leo are 'writing-50k-words-in-a-month' experts (and lifelong writing friends) with a passion for helping people write their damn novel. Join them each week as they share their personal tips, tricks and other things they've learned over almost two decades of consecutive NaNoWriMo wins.
Episodes
86 episodes
Writing with a full time job
Listen, we get it. You go to work, and then you come home exhausted. All you want to do is relax, or watch TV, or collapse in bed. How do you prioritize writing when your job leaves you lacking in energy or inspiration?In today...
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Season 6
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Episode 8
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25:23
November 2024 Pep Talk + Updates
Generic store-brand November Writing Challenge begins in 2 days! Listen for words of encouragement and an update on the ways your hosts Kristina and Liz will be tackling the challenge in this most unprecedented year. Most importantly: we've cho...
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Season 6
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Episode 7
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13:54
Side characters are people too
How do you make your side characters feel like real people? Do you need side characters? How many should you have? There's so much to consider when developing your cast of characters!In today's episode, hosts Kristina and Liz dive into ...
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Season 6
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Episode 6
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22:08
Can I write fanfiction in November?
This is something we hear a lot when people are considering what to write in November: does fanfiction count? is it allowed? can I write it?In today's episode, hosts Kristina and Liz discuss why their answer is an incredibly enthusiasti...
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Season 6
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Episode 5
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27:21
How to write a novel in November without NaNoWriMo
This year, it's the wild west for novelists who still want to participate in some kind of November writing challenge. Where do we track our words? Will it feel the same? How do we find our commmunity? Will winning still "count"? In...
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Season 6
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Episode 4
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29:50
Let's talk about tense, baby, let's talk about POV
Even if you're a true pantser, there are some decisions that must be made before you can start writing. Choosing a point of view to write from is necessary, as is deciding on a tense. But how do you know which one is right for you? Wha...
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Season 6
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Episode 3
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33:57
How to get back into writing
What if you've taken a break from writing and find you've forgotten how to do it? Is noveling like riding a bike? How exactly do we rebuild the habit we may have lost?In today's episode, hosts Kristina and Liz discuss the various reason...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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23:20
What the heck is going on with NaNoWriMo?
Welcome to Season 6! You might have noticed we've done a bit of a rebrand... this podcast (formerly known as How To Win NaNo) is now called "Write Your Damn Novel"! In the first episode of our new season, hosts Kristina and Liz talk a bit about...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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24:41
Post NaNoWriMo Tip: Note to Your Future Self
Do you want to make your future self the happiest writer in the world? Then leave yourself a note at the end of NaNoWriMo! Because listen, we get it. November is over and you've earned a break. But now is the best time to set your future self u...
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Season 5
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Episode 14
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21:18
The Best NaNoWriMo Merch & Winner Goodies
It's the LAST DAY of NaNoWriMo, which means... well, either you're already celebrating your win or you're still still furiously writing. Either way, we all know the best part of succeeding at NaNoWriMo (aside from the feeling of a job well done...
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Season 5
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Episode 13
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20:13
How Do I END My Story?!
The end November approaches... and for some, that could mean getting to the end of your novel! But... what does that mean? How do you finish such a huge project?In today's episode, your hosts Kristina and Liz discuss some tips and strat...
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Season 5
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Episode 12
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23:34
Introduction to: The White Room (a tool for writers)
Have you ever been totally stuck on your writing project and had no idea what to do next? Maybe you need a trip to the white room! And just what is this mythical 'white room' you ask?In today's episode, hosts Liz and Kristina interview ...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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20:31
How to Develop Your Writing Voice
What is "voice" when it comes to writing and how do you develop your own? Can it change over time, and do you need one at all?In this week's episode, hosts Kristina and Liz discuss why voice is important, define the difference between c...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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23:58
Where do I START my novel?!
It's November 1st! Happy NaNoWriMo! Now... where on earth do you START? The good news is, the only wrong way is to not start at all.In today's episode, best friends and hosts Kristina and LIz discuss some strategies for sta...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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21:21
How to Finish NaNoWriMo Early
Do you have limited time to write this November? Are you going on vacation, or just know there will be days you wont be able to focus on writing? Are you worried you wont have the full thirty days to spend on this? You're not alone!In t...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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18:45
NaNoWriMo Survival Kit for Plantsers
Last season we covered our survival kits for Planners and Pantsers, but there's another category of NaNo participant we wanted to make sure was represented on the podcast. In this week's episode, your hosts Kristina Horner and Liz ...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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41:11
How To Plan A Writing Retreat
Have you ever wanted to take part in a writing retreat, but don't know how? What if we told you it could be as easy as setting one up yourself?In this week's episode, best friends Kristina and Liz are joined by their good friend Katrina...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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29:56
Music to Write To
Do you listen to music when you write? Does music inspire ideas for your writing? In this week's episode, best friends Kristina and Liz talk about the many varying ways music can help or hinder us as writers, and delve into a pleth...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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19:08
So You Want to Write a Series
Do you have an idea for a series? Are you planning a novel you know will have multiple installments, or maybe you've already written book one and you're ready to tackle book two for this year's NaNoWriMo?In this week's episode, best fri...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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28:37
Co-Writing a Novel with Another Person
Lots of novels have more than one author, but how do they make that work? What's the writing process like? And is it at all feasible during NaNoWriMo?In this week's episode, best friends Kristina and Liz talk about what it takes to co-w...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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19:34
Working on an Old Project vs. Starting Something New
Having a hard time deciding what to work on for NaNoWriMo this year? Are you flirting with the idea of starting a brand new, shiny project while your older ideas give you side eye from the shelf? In this week's episode, best friend...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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27:53
Welcome to How To Win NaNo Season 5!
Another season of NaNoWriMo is upon us, and what better way to celebrate that than with the advent of our fifth season of this podcast? It's hard to believe how long we've been doing this, and couldn't be more grateful for your support....
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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32:35
See You In November!
It's our last episode of Season 4! We might have forgotten to wrap up this season, so here's a farewell episode before we jump into Season 5 for the upcoming NaNo season! In today's episode, we talk about how to take advantage of t...
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Season 4
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Episode 17
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13:16
Overcoming Negative Thoughts as a Writer
There's one universal truth when it comes to writing: IT'S HARD. Listen, we get it. We've all had those moments where we question why we even try. If you've ever sat in front of your laptop feeling like a fraud, you're not alone.In toda...
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Season 4
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Episode 16
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28:17
April Camp NaNoWriMo Pep Talk & Writing Sprint Music
It's officially April! That means we're camping, fam! In this week's episode, best friends Kristina and Liz talk a bit about their own experiences camping (NaNoWriMo and otherwise - who says this podcast is only about writ...
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Season 4
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Episode 15
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25:02