Camp NaNoWriMo 2019 - Ally Aldridge

Here is the last half of my Camp NaNo diary, covering mid April to the end of April. It will also include whether I am a winner or not. If you would like to read the first half of my diary, click here.

Update 6

https://www.instagram.com/p/BweNpIXnfYB/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Update 7

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwjMfdHH1Pm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Update 8

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwpzZONHlYd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Update 9

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwu5QSYHHGK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Update 10

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw0E4dYHptZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

I am so pleased that I achieved Camp NaNo. During the Easter Holidays it felt so impossible I almost quit. I guess it goes to show what perseverance can achieve.

I like Red Dresses more than my November project and will likely return at a later date to finish this novel.

What’s next?

As soon as Camp NaNo was over, I got straight back into editing Jewel of the Sea. My goal is to try and edit three chapters a week to get it query ready.

You may have noticed that recently I have begun sharing updates on my blog with links to Wattpad as I finish editing. If you are on Wattpad, follow me, I follow back.

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Here is my midpoint diary on my Camp NaNo project, how I prepared and how I am progressing told through my Instagram photos.

Project – Red Dresses

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Are you doing Camp NaNoWriMo? I am going to take a break from editing to do what I love most, writing. I've set my goal low at 15k because this week has reminded me how hard it is to find time when one of my kids are poorly and I don't want to put too much pressure on myself. I'm planning to join #hustlingwriterscommunity cabin with @midnightstarlight #fellowcreativeminds #writerslife #writersofInstagram #writerscommunity #writerschallenge #writersofig #instagramwriters #igwriter #writingcomnmunityofinstagram #writerslifeforme #WriteWriteWrite #WritersWrite #NovelWriting #hustlingwriterscabin #amwriting #workinprogress #writingproject #redheadwriter #GoalSetter #GoalDigger #writinggoals #nanowrimo #campnanowrimo #campnano #wordcount #wordcountgoal
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on Apr 1, 2019 at 4:00am PDT

Preparation

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I have been busy prepping for Camp NaNoWriMo but still have a long way to go. I'm pleased with how my MC is coming together although still don't have a name for her. She is a Journalist student in her final year of Uni – feel free to suggest names. Tonight, I've started outlining. This is the first time I've used Save The Cat method to do this. In the video you will see question marks where I need to go back as I'm not finished. I got to Act 2, Beat 8. I estimate the full novel will be 70k to 100k. For Camp NaNo I'm only aiming to do the first 15k to 30k. I want to finish my outline before I start but those first beats are the most important for April. How is your Camp NaNo Prep going? #campnanowrimo #campnano #campnanowrimo2019 #campnanoprep #newadult #newadultfiction #newadultromance #paranormalromance #urbanfantasy #vampire #workinprogress #writingproject #savethecat #outlining #outliningyournovel #novelplanning #plotter #instagramwriters #writersofinstagram #writerschallenge #writerscommunity #writersgram #writingcomnmunityofinstagram #discoverunder3k #redheadwriter #hustlingwriterscommunity #fellowcreativeminds #urbanfantasyauthorcommunity
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on Mar 29, 2019 at 3:46pm PDT

Update 1

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Day 3 – Camp Nano Progress! Oh dear! I actually have not started yet. Anyone else in this position? My month started out super busy with my evenings stolen by other commitments. I'm doing a course and I promised someone feedback on their project. These aren't excuses and I'm not going to quit due to a poor start. Other campers will come across obstacles in the coming days and those that make it to the end are the ones that remember there is always tomorrow. But, any progress is better than no progress so tonight I shall write! @jodie_at_home are you word sprinting tonight on Twitter – can I join you? I need some motivation to get started. #campnano #campnanowrimo #campnanochallenge #campnanoapril #instawrimo #campnano2019 #campnanowrimoapril2019 #wrimo #wrimosofig #wrimosofinstagram #instawrimo2019 #instawrimoapril #HustlingWritersCabin #nanowrimo #namowrimo2019 #noprogress #nanoprogress #writerslife #writerschallenge #discoverunder3k #hustlingwriterscommunity #fellowcreativeminds #urbanfantasyauthorcommunity #writerswrite #wordsprint #writerssupportingwriters #paranormalromance #newadultfiction
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on Apr 3, 2019 at 3:30am PDT

Update 2

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Last night, I made a start on my Camp Nano project and wrote 1,166 words! I'm pretty pleased with my first chapter. I feel I've manged to clearly set my MCs challenges, needs and a catalyst already. I'm looking forward to writing the next chapter where she's going to seek a job at Scarlet House to enable her to work undercover. My chapters at the moment are just scenes as that is how I draft. I've loved free writing and can't wait to add to my story tomorrow. #hustlingwriterscabin #discoverunder2k #hustlingwriterscommunity #fellowcreativeminds #urbanfantasyauthorcommunity #paranormalromance #urbanfantasy #fictionwriter #campnano #campnanoApril #campnanoapril2019 #nanowrimo #nanowrimoapril #nanowrimoapril2019 #writewritewrite #writerswrite #wordcountgoal #goaldigger #novelwriting #firstdraft #workinprogress #writerschallenge #writersofinstagram #igwriters
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on Apr 6, 2019 at 6:52am PDT

Update 3

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Early this month I blogged about the importance of updating your ‘about me’ section on your website and other social media platforms. Online, I am quite social and on a number of sites so updating them all is going to take a while. An example is my NaNo profile which I created in a rush last year. It already needs updating as not only is it sparse but it only mentions my son as my daughter didn’t exist then. In addition, I’ve developed some new interests. It’s amazing how much can happen in a year. Tell me something new about you from the last 12 months? #campnanowrimo #campnanowrimo2019 #hustlingwriterscommunity #hustlingwriterscabin #nanoprofile #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writerscommunity #writer #redheadwriter #fellowcreativeminds #wrimo #nanowrimo #nanowrimo2019 #aspiringauthor #nanoproject
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on Apr 8, 2019 at 3:59am PDT

Update 4

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Who are your cabin mates? My cabin mates are are all part of the #hustlingwriterscommunity , a group of writers that have other responsibilities that make it challenging to find time to write. The struggle is easier when you have a supportive cabin cheering you on. It helps me get over the bad days quicker and focus on my achievements instead of giving up. We can relate to each other’s time problems. We have fallen a little behind target but we are still making steady progress and I’m confident we will achieve our goals together. We will certainly have done better than if we had never tried. I think these are the Instagram handles of my cabin mates (I’m not sure who the others are on IG): @midnightstarlightwrites @wordsaremagic88 @jenjeng89 @annamlancaster @colleen.is.writing @mommajedi2382 @aliceinthewillowtree #hustlingwriterscabin #discoverunder2k #fellowcreativeminds #urbanfantasyauthorcommunity #paranormalromance #urbanfantasy #fictionwriter #campnano #campnanoApril #campnanoapril2019 #nanowrimo #nanowrimoapril #nanowrimoapril2019 #writewritewrite #writerswrite #wordcountgoal #goaldigger #novelwriting #firstdraft #workinprogress #writerschallenge #writersofinstagram #igwriters #writingchallenge #amwriting
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on Apr 11, 2019 at 2:23am PDT

Update 5

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I’m so pleased, tonight I’ve managed to get in a good hour of writing. I wrote 1,338 words taking my total to 6,197 words. Looking at the graph I would say I’m pretty much on track. I’m glad I did the outlining before starting as it is helping know what to work on next although tonight I think I jumped the timeline a little so when I edit I’ll need to add some build up in before tonight’s scene. Nevermind. You can edit a bad page but you can’t edit a blank page. Better written than not. How’s your writing going? #campnano #campnanowrimo #campnanochallenge #campnanoapril #instawrimo #campnano2019 #campnanowrimoapril2019 #wrimo #wrimosofig #wrimosofinstagram #instawrimo2019 #instawrimoapril #HustlingWritersCabin #nanowrimo #namowrimo2019 #noprogress #nanoprogress #writerslife #writerschallenge #discoverunder2k #hustlingwriterscommunity #fellowcreativeminds #urbanfantasyauthorcommunity #writerswrite #wordsprint #writerssupportingwriters #paranormalromance #newadultfiction
A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on Apr 13, 2019 at 1:25pm PDT

I hope when I post in early May on how I got on that I will have good news and be able to share my success with you. Wish me luck!

Update: Click here to read my diary for middle to the end.