If you're not familiar with NaNoWriMo, that's National Novel Writing Month which kicks off November 1 each year. The idea is to write a novel (50,000 words) in one month's time. I've done it twice and for me, the biggest reward is knowing that it is possible to write that much on a single topic.
With my online shop, November has become my busiest month of the year, so adding NaNoWriMo to the mix isn't practical any more. But just the thought of the event always seems to jump start my creativity in other ways.
While writing itself can be its own reward (and probably should be if you want to do it long term), it doesn't hurt to dangle a little treat in front of yourself when the going gets rough or as a reward for going the whole distance.
Here are a few new items that I've made this fall:
Gifts for Writers
Typewriter ornament
This adorable wooden typewrite ornament has a secret message stamped on the back. (I'm happy to make a custom version just for you.)
Copper mini book necklace
You can write your own story in this book provided that you have very tiny handwriting.
Wood ampersand earrings
What writer doesn't love punctuation and symbols? I picture an earthy, nature-spirited writer wearing these. (I have a silver-plated version, too, if metals are more your thing.)
Pen keychain
This cool, lightweight keychain has a reproduction pen nib on one side and a secret stamped message on the other. I like these reproduction pen nibs because they have nicely rounded tips that won't stab you like real fountain pen nibs might.
Hand stamped bookmark
This small bookmark says "one more page" which is music to any author's ears. We all want readers to stay up reading with our unputdownable books.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
I've written about NaNoWriMo almost every year since 2009:
- NaNoWriMo: As if November Wasn't Busy Enough (2009)
- Book Inspiration: NaNoWriMo and No Plot? No Problem! (2010)
- Thoughts About Handmade Donations to Charity (2011)
- Inspired by NaNoWriMo: Ask Me About My Book Keychain (2012)
- Bookmarks for Writers, NaNoWriMo, and Author Day Jobs (2014)
If you're doing NaNoWriMo this year, good luck!