NaNoWriMo Complete and Market Day Planning

November is over, I completed the 50,000 words for NaNoWriMo and this time I didn’t make a mistake. Every day was on target and the next five chapters of my novel are complete (in their first draft). It was a wild ride and I enjoyed nearly every second of it. As the first week of December comes to a close, I have a market day on Friday the 13th to prepare for.

Finishing NaNoWriMo

In Wollongong, I am going to be selling my books with 17 days left before the raffle. With three other authors. I have everything ready, I just hope the weather is perfect and the people come that are interested in our books.

Week Two and Three of NaNoWriMo

After the first week of writing for National Novel Writing Month, the words started to become easier, every 6 days was a chapter. I could visualise the direction of the story, however when it came to a chapter that I wasn’t sure how it was going to start; I wrote the ending first and then worked my way to it. It is now Day 23, I have written over 35000 words, - 37500 - to be precise; exactly 75% of the 50,000. By the end of today I would have written, 38333 which leaves one day left of this chapter. The challenge of keeping the chapters to 10,000 words means I have to be precise with my timeline and don’t deviate from the main points.

Reaching 14 days in a row, 21 days in row eased the pressure a little, since I am over halfway through. The next 7 days, the final week, will be fun to write because, the chapter is a little different to the others.

I have written on buses, trains, at RSLs, at roadside Fish and Chip shop. Some days I write in the morning, others in the afternoon. I have written in small chunks or a whole lot at once.

Week One of NaNoWriMo 2024

50,000 words in 30 days, the National November Writing Month Challenge, that is 1666-1667 words a day for the full thirty days. I did it last year, I am attempting to do it again. Last year I had 29 days with the correct word count. This time I am going for thirty. It had a rough and rocky start with no flow or new ideas but after brainstorming, time lining and planning, I managed to write the first 7 days. The first 6 days was one chapter of my project novel. Today I started the next chapter, my plan is to write 10,000 words for each chapter. It will interesting to see where my writing takes me both physically and hypothetically.

7 Days in a Row

The hardest part of the challenge is making sure you remember to keep track of your word count. I am glad to use Scrivener, which allows me to break down the chapter into parts or my writing into sections.

On the home stretch

At 6:45 PM on the 15th of October, I completed the penultimate chapter of the fifth and final book of the Immortal Legacy Series. It is still the 2nd draft, but the chapter is finished. Trying to sum up the story is hard, having new characters, old characters and new dangers mentioned without creating a whole new plot. My next goal will be completing the final chapter in the next two and a half months, with November off - for another project.

At 12:30PM on the 16th of October, I started planning and writing the final chapter of the final book. Like most Wednesdays, I am writing at the local Tradies, and begin brainstorming ideas, creating a timeline and writing early paragraphs.

Though my writing has been successful, my selling has been slowing down. Last Friday I went to the Markets in Wollongong and attempted to sell books and increase chances of raffle and my sales. Unfortunately only 1 book was bought. I still have 31 copies left at home that I ordered back in May 2022.

I don’t know how else to sell them; the raffle will be available until December 30th. If you are interested in a copy, go onto Amazon and order it. It will arrive within the week.

Three months to win

October has arrived which means three months until the year is over, three months until the draw to win $50 E-Gift Card. iTunes, Amazon and Lulu have the eBook available, Amazon has the print on demand. All you need to do is buy the book; send proof using my website’s contact page and your name is in the drawer.

Once you have bought the book, why not review it on Amazon, Goodreads etc and let others know what you thought. Please be honest but don’t be afraid to give the book a chance first.

Let the Raffle Begin

I have decided to reward a lucky reader - in Australia - of my Age of the Immortal $50 E-Gift Card. From Friday the 13th until the 30th of December, those who buy my book from Amazon (or in person) will get their name in the raffle to be selected at the end of the year.

Raffle Poster (terms and conditions at the bottom)

In order to have your name, you will need to send a screenshot of the purchase or a picture of you and the book as proof via my website. The link is below.

Penultimate Chapter Begins

September has started and after taking some time off writing my novel - working on another project - I am back to draft the penultimate chapter of the fifth book. This chapter goes through a quarter of a century with Mitchell and his friends and family. This chapter has high stakes, things heat up and will be earth shattering. I plan on taking this chapter and the next chapter slowly, not rushing into it. However I am worried that by the time I finish the first draft, I won’t have enough money to design my cover and pay for an editor.

Book sales have been all time slow and I am trying to think of ways to increase sales or promote the books. There is an idea to sell the books at a market during Spring but it will need to be successful to help. One way to boost sales is to have a raffle for those who buy the book online or from me and at the end of the year, I select a name at random and they win a gift card. But is it worth my own money to get sales that go no where. Last time I tried something no one showed up.

I am going to keep writing, regardless but I do hope that my sales will increase so when I do release the fifth book, people will be interested in reading it.

If you have ideas on how to promote my book, know someone that might be willing to read it; or you have the time to review my book; please do.

Interview, Longest Writing Session but No Sales

On Tuesday the 23rd, I had an interview with a Radio host from Hope 103.2 - Ben - about the Immortal Legacy series and on Monday the 29th, at 10:20 it was aired to all those who were listening. The interview was to raise awareness of how hard it is to be a self-published author as well as bring attention to an event I had on the Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the 31st, I was at Helensburgh Tradies from 10:15ish to 2:30, and for most of that time I was writing my thirteenth chapter of my 5th book. It was meant to be a meet and greet with a sale (discounted cost of book); however NO one turned up. It was a hit and miss. I am struggling to come up with ideas to sell my books. If you are interested in buying a book; fill out the form and I will get back to you.

30-Day Count Down

On the 30th June 2022, I had my FIRST book Launch; there was the book replica cake, there was live music, there were questions answered and my hand got tired from signing books. That was almost two years ago. Since I still have a box full of books left from that launch; I have decided that on the 31st of July, I am selling my books with a $2 discount. That’s 25 for the book.

Countdown to Sale

On the Wednesday, at the Helensburgh Tradies, starting from 10:00(ish), I am selling my books for $25 (Cash or Direct Deposit) until 3pm. After that, the book can still be bought for #25 until 5pm, if you contact me via this website (postage and handling is not included). The book will be signed too.

Happy Monach's Birthday

Today is the day to celebrate the Monach’s Birthday, whether that was the Queen or the King. When I wrote my story, I didn’t know what the future was going to bring, but not it is the present, but I am keeping the story how I have it. That includes my direction for the royal family. I created 1500 years or so of a royal family tree, starting from the 11th century. I created generations of royalty down to the Queen of the 26th century. It took weeks of writing and planning and coming up with the royal family history. Coming up with names were the easiest part, since Royalty follow a certain guideline but coming up with a tree that stretches centuries was tricky when working out who would come next and what they would do to impact the world.

With King Charles now on the throne, we won’t forget the dedication of Queen Elizabeth II had for the past decades and the difference she did during her reign.

If you wish to buy my book, click the link below.

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