It’s that time, writers! Everyone is doing Nanowrimo but for whatever reason, it’s not for you! Or, for some of you, you actually are Nano-ing but want to supplement it with something extra chill and fun. #WIPmo is here for you.
#WIPmo is pretty laid-back. It has no crazy goals that’ll have you drafting like a maniac with only time to eat one leftover piece of Halloween candy each day. With #WIPmo, you’ll have time to eat and if you want, shower. HOWEVER, you definitely want to make some goals for yourself. For instance, finish drafting your WIP! Revise your book and get it sub ready. Edit your ms and write a query! Get your ms sub ready! Push through an agent or editor revision! whatever you need to get done, let’s get it done. Make goals, be acceptable, and we’ll be here to support each other.
Another great thing about WIPmo is that we do do #WIPmo sessions together. Whether you’re drafting, revising, or editing, scheduled writing sessions help. For me, they help me get my kids to bed on time so I can pull up my laptop and get to work on evenings I may have considered Netflixing and chilling. Whenever you’re going to sit down and do some work, go ahead and use the hashtag to start up a #WIPmo session for some buddies–or if you’re trying to plan for later, check and see when one might be coming up. I usually do a session or two or three on evenings once my kids are asleep!
Each Monday is check in day. Check-in is also pretty laid-back because we don’t want anyone to drop out if they don’t check-in by 9am on a Monday. I’ll usually put the check-in post up on Sunday nights and then I’ll encourage everyone to start checking in. Try to get it done by Tuesday! If you miss a check-in, no worries. Just check-in and get back to work! Our last check-in will be the last day of November, Monday the 30th.
Everyone interested–#WIPmo is super inclusive–check in below in the comments! Feel free to ask Qs here or on the hashtag as well. I’ll check in first so you’ll see the format!
Happy Writing!
Ami with an I 
Check-in like this:
Name: Ami
Twitter Handle: @amilouiseallen
Monthly goal: Finish edits for Liars and Losers Like Us AND draft 10K words for WIP
Weekly Goal: Finish LALLU edits and send back to editor!
What will help: Having you guys as support, doing writing sessions on weeknights
Fave writing spot & why: Barnes & Noble cafe. I’m surrounded by books, drinks and snacks nearby, and there’s no one related to me hanging around to distract me!
Name: Eva
Twitter Handle: @EvaVBGibson
Monthly goal: try to reach 70k words or complete draft 1 of the WIP, whichever comes first.
Weekly Goal: 40k words (am at 33k right now)
What will help: Being held publicly accountable will keep my drive going, and checking in will help me keep my goals fresh and current.
Fave writing spot & why: the guest room, late at night once the kids are in bed. I can close the door, put on my music, and just dive in.
Name: Geni
Twitter Handle: @agenip
Monthly goal: Finish revisions of current, long-suffering ms and get solid outline for new ms
Weekly Goal: Get chapter one looking respectable and knock out at least a few additional chapters. Sub goal = build some tension for mc
What will help: #WIPmo! Thank you so much Ami. I look forward to this every year. I definitely need the nightly nudge to keep me from mom-ing/spouse-ing/real job work-ing until I fall asleep.
Fave writing spot & why: I love the B&N cafe nearby, but I rarely get there. Most nights I’m on the couch in the den, under a lamp and surrounded by pillows determined to remain coherent for just a little longer.
Name: Sandi
Twitter handle: @thethirdmother
Monthly goal: send next batch of query letters; add at least 10k to current WIP
Weekly goal: 2.5k words to WIP, research agents and send out 1-2 queries
What will help: word sprints and being held accountable. I have a tendency to procrastinate and need a swift kick now and then!
Fave writing spot & why: anyplace that has access to green tea and hummus. I try to meet up with my writing group a few times a month at a local cafe – they are a tremendous help with brainstorming and keeping me on track!
Name: Rena
Twitter Handle: @originallyrena
Monthly goal: Finish final tweaks for The Girl Before, finish drafting WIP (30-40K), AND get author photos taken. (I realize that’s not a WIP goal but it is something writerly that needs to be done by the end of the month!)
Weekly Goal: Finish TGB tweaks and send to editor (due Wednesday) and write 15K in WIP.
What will help: Not being lazy, finding focus, WORD SPRINTS (please help)
Fave writing spot & why: A local coffee shop called Smokey Row. Even though it’s ALWAYS busy, for whatever reason I’m able to focus in and get really great word counts while there. Also, they have rainbow sherbet.
[…] November, my friend Ami does WIPMo over on her blog. I usually do that too, to set editing goals for myself in addition to my writing goals. […]
Name: Jody
Twitter Handle: @1prncs
Monthly goal: try to complete a 30,000 word novella. Starting tonight. It’s the second in a book of three novellas.
What will help: Writing sprints with you guys and pop
Fave writing spot & why: Not my favourite because I don’t really have anywhere in my house for uninterrupted writing time but my kitchen table is where I work because it’s better than having my laptop…well, on my lap 🙂
Name: Sonia
Twitter Handle: @SoniaHartl1
Monthly goal: Draft this MG (my first MG, eep!)
Weekly Goal: 10k
What will help: Check-ins, power writing on weekends
Fave writing spot & why: Cozy chair in front of the fan
Name: Michelle
Twitter Handle: @michellehulse
Monthly goal: draft a new MG: it’ll be on the shorter side and I write thin first drafts, so I’m guessing 25-30k this month; I might also have some revision goals for another project later this month . . .
Weekly Goal: write the first act, I’m guessing around 7k this week; also, beta read a buddy’s story
What will help: check-ins! 🙂 I also get a lot done by sneaking in 15 min sprints throughout the day
Fave writing spot & why: the gelato/coffee/tea shop next door to my kid’s acting class (because hibiscus tea & flowers on the table), but I only get to go there for an hour once a week!
Name: Amy
Twitter Handle: @atrueblood5
Monthly goal: 30k on a new YA contemporary project. Start edits (once again) on my YA Historical.
Weekly goal: Not lose my mind (Haha!) Would like to get in at least 5k on new YA and at least two chapters of edits on YA Historical.
What will help: Putting the major doubt I have going on out of my head. Focusing on WIP and staying OFF social media. 🙂
Name: Rob
Twitter Handle: @RobertPolk2
Monthly Goal: Get current MG WIP query ready by finishing revisions.
Weekly Goal: Get first eight chapters restructured/revised.
What will help: Working every night and stealing moments throughout each day. (Also, avoiding the temptation to work on a PB or my YA should help keep this MG on track.)
Name: Mel
Twitter Handle: @paintandwords
Monthly goal: Unravel my WIP and write as much of first draft as possible. (Vague, I know…)
Weekly Goal: Start and finish inserted chapter.
What will help: My children napping so I can write in the day. Being kind to self and not wishing I could work better/faster/cleverer! Checking in.
Fave writing spot & why: Couch, in silence
Oh, I wanna play! Er…I mean participate!
Name: Kathleen
Twitter Handle: @kathleea
Monthly Goal: Work on WIP
Weekly Goal: Work on WIP
What Will Help: Support from you guys
Fave Writing Spot and Why: My bedroom. It’s fairly quiet…in my own little corner in my own little world I can be whatever I want to be…*sings*
Name: Kimberly Vanderhorst
Twitter Handle: @Kymburleev
Monthly goal: Finish revisions on YA Fantasy, including drafting 15K new words for new ending.
Weekly Goal: Get through the tricky chapter 15-18 stretch. (1/3 of the way there!).
What will help: Public accountability, leftover Halloween candy (oh crap, it’s all gone now…), and to stop saying “yes” to everyone who asks time-consuming favors.
Fave writing spot & why: My bed. Because it’s comfy and there’s room for kiddos to snuggle me.