5 Tips to Recover from #NaNoWriMo Mistakes

Author Michelle Lim is the Brainstorming/Huddle Coach with My Book Therapy Press and the Midwest Zone Director for American Christian Fiction Writers. Michelle’s Genesis winning romantic suspense is represented with Books & Such Literary Agency. Michelle’s New Release - Idea Sparking: 30 Idea Sparks to Write a Novel in a Month releases October 27^th. Since her nonfiction book release, Idea Sparking: How To Brainstorm Conflict In Your Novel, through public speaking and online chats Michelle helps writers discover the revolutionary power of brainstorming to bring new life to their stories. Connect with Michelle as www.thoughtsonplot.wordpress.com , @MichelleLim24 on Twitter, and Facebook.

5 Tips to Recover from NaNoWriMo Mistakes

National Novel Writing Month is a challenge for any writer who chooses to embark on the journey to a novel in a month. As with any challenge there are setbacks along the way. How we deal with those setbacks will determine whether or not we recover from our mistakes.

Are you part way into NaNoWriMo and far behind on your goals?

It isn’t too late to change the outlook of your thirty-day novel journey. Here are a few Idea Sparking Strategies to get you started.

5 Tips to Recover from NaNoWriMo Mistakes:

• Let go of guilt. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone fails sometimes. The trick is picking yourself up and continuing on the road to success. Guilt only stymies progress and takes the focus off of reaching our goals to look at our failings. Set guilt aside and push past your mistakes.
• Spend time to self-reflect on your writing habits that interfered with your goals. If you plan to get back on track, it is helpful to identify what stood in the way of previous success. Then modify your plans to overcome these issues.
• Continue to look forward, not back. Whatever goals you have made and failed to reach are in the past. Look forward to what can be accomplished in the following three weeks of NaNoWriMo and keep pressing toward weekly goals.
• Set bonus goals in small chunks for previously missed goals. They are something that can be added if you choose once your regular word count is done. Look at these as no obligation challenges to take on if you feel inspired.
• Celebrate each snapshot in time. Celebrate the moments as they come, each moment being its own entity to enjoy. Find many ways to celebrate throughout NaNoWriMo.

Looking for more tips to help you on your thirty-day novel journey?

My New Release is just $0.99 on Amazon.

Idea Sparking: 30 Idea Sparks to Write a Novel in a Month accompanies

an author on a thirty-day novel journey. Daily idea prompts assist authors in finding the inspiration to write. With personal experience insights and goal setting reflections, this book is the perfect resource for the writer who wants to write a novel in a month, or the author looking for a resource for their everyday writing journey. What you will find in this incredible resource:

A weekly inspirational focus to get you ready to write

Daily Idea Sparks to spark your creativity and get you writing

Mini writing craft tips that enhance your writing

Daily Mid-day Milestones with thought-provoking questions to improve writing habits

Weekly Check-Ups to retune your process to set you up for success

Now, join the conversation! What helps you get back on track when your writing goals derail?

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Overcoming the Fear Factor: Finding the Right Agent by DiAnn Mills

By DiAnn Mills

Overcoming the Fear Factor: Finding the Right Agent

Your story is in final form. In your opinion, it’s the best you’ve ever written, and you’re filled with confidence. The suggestions, edits, and marketing plan are in place. Your proposal reads like an NYT writer.

But you don’t have an agent.

An agent? Can't be that scary.

My agent, Janet K. Grant of Books and Such Literary Agency, says this about an agent. “Writers write books. Publishers publish them. But publishers have a big sea of writers to draw from, and someone needs to serve as your swim instructor, telling you who are the sharks and who are the dolphins, and helping you to determine which you want to swim with. That someone is your agent.” I don’t know about you, but swimming with sharks is not my idea of a career builder.

Sometimes agents terrify us. We think they are the one factor that will get us published, when the truth is a quality manuscript is your best advocate. 

 So what does an agent do for a writer?

Stand up! Sit down! Write! Write! Write!

1. Submit your writing project to the proper editor.
2. Follow-up with editors.
3. Negotiate a contract. This is where your agent is worth his/her weight in gold. We writers are creative and usually not comfortable in talking contract terms.
4. Update you with industry trends and changes.
5. Interpret and communicate royalty statements.
6. Be your best cheerleader for the life of your partnership.
7. Advise you in every facet of your writing career.

Your job is to submit a polished manuscript, properly edited, and in the requested format of the agent. Even if you’ve met the agent, make sure you have the correct spelling and address of the person.

And if you’re rejected, consider it redirection. Do your best to find out why the agent declined representation and make changes before submitting again.

Keep perfecting your craft.

Never stop learning.

Never give up on yourself.

Where do you find an agent? Listings are in The Writer’s Market Guide or The Christian Writer’s Market Guide. There you find their submission guidelines and what they are looking for. Stick to them. Sometimes a recommendation from another writer is helpful. But the best way to meet a potential agent is face-to-face. Attending conferences and workshops where agents are present puts you in the spotlight. Polish your pitch, practice, and present it to a perspective agent. It doesn’t end with a single meeting.

Where do I sign up for the T-shirt?

Tips for Finding the Right Agent
1.The right agent is highly recommended by writers and publishers.
2. The right agent is well respected in the industry.
3. The right agent represents your genre.
4. The right agent conducts career counseling and makes recommendations, sometimes tough ones.
5. The right agent reads every word of your manuscript.
6. The right agent is an amazing editor.
7. The right agent must love, not like, your manuscript.
8. The right agent attends major writing conferences and often leads workshops.
9. The right agent submits timely reports on the status of your manuscripts.
10. The right agent is a partner in your writing career, a prayer warrior,  an asset to your life.

Now what’s stopping you? 

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She currently has more than sixty books published. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. 
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2014 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; and a member of Inspirational Writers Alive, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers.  She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is also a craftsman mentor for the Jerry B. Jenkins
Christian Writers Guild. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. Visit her website at www.diannmills.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/DiAnnMills
Twitter - @DiAnnMills
Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/DiAnnMills 
Goodreads - www.goodreads.com/DiAnnMills

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