Have you started your novel yet? You know, that one you’ve always wanted to write. That idea for a story that’s rattling around in the back of your head? Well today’s the day! Join a ton of crazy, fun people from around the world in this challenge to write 50,000 words in 30 days. You can learn more about it, and/or sign up HERE to keep track of your progress and be part of the nanowrimo.org community. And here’s a handy chart to keep track of the daily word count goal. Print one to fill in your word progress the old school way. Happy Writing!
Tag Archives: Writing Tips
Writing Tip: Take It Home – Victoria Bastedo

Victoria Bastedo
Another great writing tip shared by FVP Featured Author, Victoria Bastedo:
All characters need a home. It’s like meeting a new friend at work or at church. You may laugh in the hallways or at break time, but after a while the friendship doesn’t progress until you take that person home. It’s that way in a lot of shows on television too, as well as in love stories; meeting the family for the first time means something.
So give your characters a home, even if your story is set (as my current one is) on a spaceship. On the Enterprise in Star Trek we saw Spock at home in his quarters, playing a lute. In Middle Earth our hobbits returned to their hole in Bag End.
If you see a thriller where the spy only lives his life in hotel rooms and Moneypenny is his deepest relationship, there may be some excitement and fancy gadgetry, but there’s not a lot of personal connection.
Even if the home is oppressive at the beginning of the story and the goal is to get away from it, bring your characters to a home worth having by the end. Building that house makes a richer story.