How To Win NaNo is a no-nonsense guide to writing a novel in 30 days. November ticks closer every day, but don't worry — your hosts are here for you! Kristina Horner and Liz Leo are NaNoWriMo experts (and lifelong writing friends) with a passion for helping people tackle National Novel Writing Month. Join them each week as they share their personal tips, tricks and other things they've learned over a decade of consecutive NaNoWriMo wins.
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Post NaNoWriMo Tip: Note to Your Future Self
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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 up for success. In this final episode of the season, hosts Kristina and Liz give tips for the best things t…
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The Best NaNoWriMo Merch & Winner Goodies
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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) is the WINNER GOODIES! In today's episode, your hosts Kristina & Liz take it a bit easy, discussing thei…
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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 strategies for ending strong, from resolution to twists to cliffhangers. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thu…
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Introduction to: The White Room (a tool for writers)
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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 guest speaker Katrina Hamilton on what the white room is, how to use it a a writing tool, and all the ways it can…
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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 character voice and author voice, and share some of their favorite voice-y authors. Enjoy the show? Like this epis…
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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 starting your NaNo novel, how to hook your reader, how to write a killer opening line, and more! Enjoy the show? Like this episod…
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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 this week's episode, best friends Kristina and Liz discuss some strategies and tips for finishing NaNoWriMo early,…
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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 Leo welcome guest host Katrina Hamilton to talk about what it takes to be a Plantser. Enjoy the show? Like this episode…
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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 Hamilton to talk all things writing retreats. We discuss what they are, why they can be such a big help to write…
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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 plethora of strategies for using music to your advantage this November! Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up,…
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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 friends Kristina and Liz talk about what it takes to write a series and how to use NaNoWriMo to acheive your goals. …
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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-write a novel with another person. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a re…
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Working on an Old Project vs. Starting Something New
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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 friends Kristina and Liz talk about the pros and cons of going either direction. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a th…
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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. In today's episode, best friends Liz and Kristina look at what's coming in Season 5, and take a moment to discuss…
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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 the break between Camp NaNo July and November, when to start prepping for the next NaNoWriMo, and say goodbye...for now!…
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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 today's episode, best friends Liz and Kristina discuss why this happens, give advice on what to do when you get disco…
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April Camp NaNoWriMo Pep Talk & Writing Sprint Music
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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 writing?!) as well as sharing ten uninterrupted minutes of inspiring music to write to this month, custom made by our very own Liz! …
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It's a writer's worst nightmare: the dreaded "Writer's Block". In this week's episode, your hosts Kristina and Liz discuss what writer's block is, whether or not it's real and what can you do about it if you're feeling stuck. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowinnano …
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We're back for the first time ever in SPRING to talk about Camp NaNoWriMo! Stay tuned for 10 more episodes for a very special part two of Season 4. What is Camp NaNoWriMo? How is it different than the NaNoWriMo that happens in November? Join us this week for a discussion on what kinds of projects you can do for "Camp" and how to track unconventiona…
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Book titles are the first thing a potential reader sees! But they can also be super hard to come up with. In this episode, best friends Kristina and Liz walk you through a number of things to consider when thinking up a title for your novel. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram…
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NaNoWriMo 2022 is now over! In this episode, best friends Liz and Kristina talk about why why they keep coming back to this challenge, year after year. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowinnano Twitter: @howtowinnano Join our Discord server to hang out with a communit…
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Are you wanting an extra challenge this year? Are you interested in trying out a story idea using braided narrative, found documents, non-linear narrative, captain's logs, etc? Best friends Liz and Kristina talk through all the ways they've gone off the beaten path in their writing and how you can too! Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thum…
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The Dreaded Question: "What is your book about?"
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There's no avoiding it: people are always going to ask you what your book is about. It's extremely helpful to have a succint answer ready for this dreaded question! In today's episode, best friends Kristina and Liz discuss the difference between a "blurb" and a "pitch" and how to get people hooked on your idea without putting them to sleep first. E…
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Do you have kids? Are you a caregiver? Are you responsible for the day to day care of another human in some way? In this episode, best friends Kristina and Liz walk you through tips for making space for writing amidst the chaos of caregiving, and more importantly - discuss why it's so important that you feel empowered to take that time. Enjoy the s…
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Joining NaNoWriMo last minute? WHAT SHOULD YOU WRITE?
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Maybe you JUST learned about NaNoWriMo and haven't had time to prep. Maybe you weren't sure you were going to do it this year and made the decision to try in the eleventh hour. Or maybe you're a panster and just haven't figured out what you're doing yet because that's how you roll! Whatever your situation, we've got you covered. In this episode, be…
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A very special bonus episode for Halloween! One of our Discord members requested we talk about some of our favorite NaNoWriMo memories from over the years! So in today's episode, best friends Liz and Kristina take little a trip down memory lane. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Insta…
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A Step By Step Guide to Writing Your Novel in November
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Ever wished there was just a TEMPLATE for how to write an entire novel, start to finish, in November? 50,000 words, 30 days, every step of the Hero's Journey accounted for. Now, there is! In this episode, best friends Kristina and Liz map out where you should be in your novel at each point in the month, so feel free to use this episode as the ultim…
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Are you a planner? Do you wish you were a planner? In this episode, best friends Liz and Kristina break down the basic neccessities planners need to prepare for (and survive) NaNoWriMo. Thanks to listener lexisnexis for this great topic suggestion! Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: In…
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Are you a panster? Do you turn your nose up at outlines, but still want to find some way to prepare for NaNoWriMo? In this episode, best friends Liz and Kristina break down the basic neccessities pansters need to prepare for (and survive) NaNoWriMo. Thanks to listener lexisnexis for this great topic suggestion! Enjoy the show? Like this episode, gi…
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Writing Groups
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Believe it or not, writing can be a social activity! In this episode, best friends Kristina and Liz talk about all things writing community: how to convince friends to join in on the fun with you November, how to join a virtual or in-person writing group, or how to create your own! Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet …
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That's right... it's officially October, and this episode marks the start of SEASON 4 for the How To Win NaNo podcast! Best friends Liz and Kristina couldn't be happier to be back for another year of stories, struggles, and advice. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowi…
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NaNoWriMo might be over for another season, but that doesn't mean you have to stop writing! In this week's episode, hosts Kristina and Liz discuss how to make writing a habit, how to not burn yourself out, and accountability in general. We also talk a bit about what's next for the podcast, so stay tuned for more! Enjoy the show? Like this episode, …
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I've won! Now What Do I Do With All These Novel Drafts?
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First of all, YOU DID IT. Another NaNoWriMo has come and gone and whether you wrote 50,000 words or not, you've now got another draft to add to the pile of "now what" novels. These tend to stack up if you've being writing for awhile, and that's okay! In this episode, hosts Kristina and Liz discuss some options for how to next the next step on your …
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There are a whole bunch of reasons why a person might write more than 50,000 words for NaNoWriMo: maybe you're just a naturally fast writer, maybe you're trying to finish the book, or maybe you just need a bigger challenge! In this week's episode, hosts Kristina and Liz get into the nitty-gritty of being NaNo over-achievers. Enjoy the show? Like th…
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Something you might find yourself asking is, "how important is theme when writing my story?" Should theme come before you start writing, or is it something I can figure out along the way? Like most things with writing, there's no wrong way! In this episode, Kristina and Liz discuss different approaches to story theme and why it's sometimes somethin…
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What Happens When Your Plot Doesn't Go As Planned?
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Have you outlined your book, but then once you start writing everything falls apart? How do you push through when feeling disorganized? What if the urge is strong to go back and edit? In this week's episode, hosts Kristina and Liz discuss a number of tips to help you through this frustrating experience. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thu…
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How to Make Book Covers (For Fun & For Real)
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Book covers definitely aren't the MOST important thing to be thinking about during NaNoWriMo, but since the NaNo site gives you a nice spot to upload one, it's something that's likely on your mind! In this week's episode, hosts Kristina and Liz share some great tips on making your own! Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better …
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Why this is going to be the best year of NaNoWriMo ever and how you're going to absolutely crush it. Or something like that. In this week's episode, hosts Kristina and Liz do their very best to get you pumped. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowinnano Twitter: @howtow…
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Halloween Spookfest: Tarot Reading for NaNo Novels
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Have you ever thought about using tarot cards to help inspire your novel? Or just want to find out what's in store for your writing future? On this special Halloween episode, hosts Kristina and Liz do just that. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowinnano Twitter: @howt…
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It's almost November, and maybe you're worried that your tank is ALREADY empty! Whether that be creatively, physically, of just straight burnout, the idea of finding any sort of creative reserves to draw from might be daunting. In this week's episode, hosts Kristina and Liz discuss a number of options for how to fill that tank and get the words wri…
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Are you writing a fantasy novel? Do you need to name way too many characters? Not sure where to start? In this week's episode, hosts Kristina and Liz give a few tips on how to tackle this very specific writing problem. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowinnano Twitter…
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Continuing a Project vs. Starting Something New
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Picking which project to work on is the first challenging step in NaNoWrimo...especially for veteran wrimos! Do you always start a brand new project? Do you pick up something you've worked on before? In this episode, hosts Kristina and Liz weigh the pros and cons of each idea. Thank you to @froznmangos for inspiring this topic. Enjoy the show? Like…
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Can you believe it's already NaNoWriMo season again? In this economy?! Your hosts Kristina and Liz are back for SEASON 3 of How To Win NaNo, in which we get you ready to crush that daily word count and hopefully come out the other end with a novel you're proud to have written. It's so good to be back! Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumb…
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Or you didn't, and that's okay too! As we wrap up a particularly strange year of NaNoWriMo, your hosts Kristina and Liz leave you with some final thoughts on what this year was like, and what to do next. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowinnano Twitter: @howtowinnano…
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The 2020 Homestretch "You Can Do It!" Episode
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What if you're behind? What if all of your friends are ahead of you? What if you *gasp* finish early? In this episode, we discuss all things related to the home-stretch. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowinnano Twitter: @howtowinnano Join our Discord server to hang o…
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We're halfway! How are you feeling? Need a pick me up? Then you've come to the right place. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowinnano Twitter: @howtowinnano Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm Become a Patron …
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How to write your novel this November when you're just plain tired of being on your computer. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowinnano Twitter: @howtowinnano Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm Become a Patro…
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How to Cultivate a NaNo Community From Home
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Feelin' blue about the pandemic? Missing all your IRL NaNo buddies? Here are some tips for connecting with people even when you have to do it remotely! Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowinnano Twitter: @howtowinnano Join our Discord server to hang out with a communit…
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It's November 1st! Feeling overwhelmed? US TOO! HAPPY NANO! Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowinnano Twitter: @howtowinnano Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-fre…
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Thinking about doing short stories, a memoir, a rewrite, or some other kind of non-traditional idea for NaNoWriMo this year? In this episode, Liz and Kristina discuss strategies, and how this is a totally okay thing to do. Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follow us on: Instagram: @howtowinnano Twi…
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