Nanowrimo Spotlight: Jennifer Weiner

Happy day, everybody! Yesterday was a little too hectic to squeeze in an interview, but today I’m back with Jennifer! You can find Jennifer on Nanowrimo as jinrightjm, on facebook, goodreads, her own site, and also read this Smashwords interview! Here’s a bit about Jennifer’s Nano history:

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I did my first nanowrimo in 2013 and won that year, but had to include all my creative writing not just on my novel concept. It’s looking like I’ll have to do the same this year since my original idea got tossed when my mini-me decided she wanted to star in a fantasy story lol I’m still doing world building for that idea!

I can’t remember how I found nanowrimo, but it was likely a Google search for writing groups or support or something similar. Or something I read in a group or book on writing.

What are you writing about this year?
This year  I am rebelling by writing short stories with a supernatural or fantasy flair. One is even loosely based off my husband and I!

What is your favorite movie – you have to pick just one!
That is so unfair! LOL If I MUST pick just one then I have to go with Memento. It’s an amazing, you can’t see the ending coming, totally screws with your mind the entire time, movie!

What advice would you give to all your fellow Wrimos?
You can’t lose Wrimo! If you get a character sheet template, or 500 words or some new friends you can talk about writing with or even just a touch of confidence by letting others see your work in progress… those are BIG wins. Especially if you’ve never written a long work before. Don’t worry about the word count, just HAVE FUN!

Sneaky Ninja question! If you could change one thing from the history of your life, what would it be?

Nanowrimo Spotlight: Recipe for NaNo, A Pinch of Oregano, a Dash of Chutzpah

Greetings! Today I have another spotlight interview from a fellow Storywonk, so welcome Melina Kantor! You can find Melina on Nanowrimo as MelissaDK

When did you get started with Nanowrimo, Melina?
Way back when podcasts first came out, one of my favorite authors, Lani Diane Rich, and her friend Samantha Graves (C.J. Barry) started a show called “Will Write for Wine.” At the time, I was an avid reader, but not a writer.

On October 6th, 2007 (yes, I remember the date), I was in Central Park with my dog, earbuds in place. We took a break by the duck pond, and after listening to the episode about NaNo, I rushed home and signed up. By the end of November, I had the draft of my first book. I was shocked.

This is my eighth Nano, and my third time participating in NaNo in Jerusalem.

I love bundling up in my NaNo hoodie, drinking hot apple cider at a cafe, and pounding out the words.

And a personal tradition – towards the end of NaNo, when I’m exhausted and suffering from writer’s block, I write while listening to this episode of Will Write for Wine. Of course, I’m also addicted to StoryWonk NaNo (also thanks to Lani Diane Rich).

What are you writing about this year?