HITTING 50,000 (in the story, lol) | a nanowrimo writing vlog

[@KateCavanaugh]

What fun facts have you learned while researching stuff for your story recently?? (FYI: a group of donkeys is called a drove. A drove of donkeys! 🫏 That's what I learned this week lolol.)

[@Caroline_Creative]

Pelicans symbolized safe passage through the afterlife in ancient Egypt

[@shari8]

Cats only have 2 colors of coats: black or orange. White is a masking of color. Other colors are hues of black or orange.

[@kristinarose111]

after watching several of your outline videos, I chose to do the 27 chapter outline for my FIRST NOVEL :D and I learned that even if it's a novel based on something that actually happened to you... Living the story and tell the story are two different things :D I had to edit the outline like 6 times to create a fluid outline lol and it was such a cool lesson. Sending too much love girl, you rock, and hope the migraines are diminishing, I used to suffer so I get it!

[@elizabethalicia2456]

I learned that you can get your hair made into extensions, if you go to the right hair stylist

[@sydrichey6600]

I like how you decided to do a weekly recap and it works nicely because now you have the peace of mind to not have to worry about making a video each day and you can do a weekly recap

[@haybale287]

I just hit 50k! This is my first Nano, and I am so stoked that I finished! I'm probably still going to write a little the next two days, but I am rather excited to be done haha. I have never written this much before; I feel like I am so much closer to my goal. Though, I am not just writing a book, I am writing a whole TV show, so that will take much more than 50k, obviously. The most I wrote in a day prior to today was just shy of 1800, but today I wrote over 4k words! I cannot wait for the next camp. Kate, I want to thank you personally for inspiring me to partake this year. Your channel is such a comfort to me, and I always look forward to you videos. And, if I ever feel stuck in my writing, I rewatch one of your videos and it gets me back in that creative zone. You have no idea how much you help people with your videos, and I just wanted to thank you for that! I hope you have been okay with all of your medical issues, I can relate to that myself. I have not seen a doctor yet, but I am thinking I might have cysts on my overies. I really wanted to finish today so I could relax until I drag myself to a doctor. Hopefully, you do not have as major of an issue. I also hope the boyfriend and pets are doing okay too. Take care!

[@sydrichey6600]

also I am so happy for you for taking time for your mental health in not trying to stress yourself out with both nanowrino and youtube at the same time

[@KateCavanaugh]

Thank youuuu! As soon as I thought of it, I knew that's what I had to do. I'm proud that I listened to myself too and didn't drag it out bahaha, thank you! 💙

[@madametrafficjam8347]

I have learnt many things about glass blowing, including that a glass worker is called a Gaffer. I have also learnt some stuff about how to colour glass, where Cadmium comes from, and that the largest common horse breed is the Shire horse. I used one in my story, named him Petri and my handsome rogue stole him to take him on an adventure to better lure my MC away from the dullness of heterosexuality.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Oooooh I love all these facts you've learned!! Someday I'd love to try glass blowing! (And your story sounds *chef's kiss* wonderful.)

[@reginaduke7451]

Definitely count all the words you write!!! Never short-change yourself. It sounds like you are making great progress and doing fun things. You're the best! Love you!

[@storiesnstoneware]

Travis Baldree is actually from my neck of the woods! So cool you got to meet him!

[@KateCavanaugh]

No way! That’s so fun! He was a great speaker and it was a treat to hear him read his work in person!!

[@AuthorZaraHoffman]

I'm so glad you took the daily vlogs off your plate so you could feel better. And I ALSO have been doing tons of doctor visits this month trying to find answers to specific questions. Here's hoping we both get things resolved soon!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Thank you, Zara!!! And FINGERS CROSSED FOR US BOTH!

[@KateCavanaugh]

(Also am I responding to this during the stream instead of writing ACFoC? Shhhhhhh....)

[@AuthorZaraHoffman]

​@@KateCavanaugh Haha. I was watching while doing some formatting.

[@elizabethalicia2456]

Favorite line of the week "He shaved his beard, a pity". And honestly, this video just confirmed that me scrapping my nano from the first part of the month was a good decision. If I want to hit the 50,000 I'm going to have to do 5k days almost every day, but it's worth it

[@fardareismai4495]

It just makes sense to count words in both projects, especially because project Death is a revision and therefore not as many words. Definitely count all you write! I am counting my words for uni too, papers are kicking my ass but using those words for Nano makes me feel better haha

[@writingwithred2498]

1. Your health comes first, we will dutifully await the weekly vlogs lol 2. You should always count all words. They all take brain power! 3. I am way behind on NaNo but I'm hoping to catch up this week!

[@RitaSlanina]

OMGosh! I get the same analysis paralysis issue! Like resisting the force... with writing. And then I'm anxious. And YES! I loathe the editing. Takes me so stinking long and it shouldn't take long at all. I even took a class on film editing to help me learn to do it faster. But, alas... 🤕🙄😆 *sigh

[@rissaallen6298]

I’ve missed the daily vlogs, these videos bring me so much comfort! But I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself and doing what works for you! And FOR SURE count those Closet Full of Cauldron words 🥳 I’m feeling invigorated going into the second half of November, I’ve spent the last few days reworking my outline and figuring out some gaping plot holes I’d been avoiding haha and now everything is working so much nicer

[@bombastus-cz]

Loved the baking cooking montage. - Also loved that analogy about success in the publishing industry. Even though I'm but an aspiring writer myself, this year I've tried to take a step back and reevaluate my relationship with writing and I've decided that published or not, how many people see it or don't, I want to focus on the story I'm writing itself. If I love it, if it is completed to how I want it, then that will be my success. Everything else is just icing. Of course I will still strive to be published, but I will not let it dictate my success.

[@happinesss2]

Same it’s been so freeing since I’ve taken writing back up as simply a hobby more than an aspirational career!

[@KateCavanaugh]

That's such a wonderful outlook! I've definitely started adapting the same. I'm really my first reader and in that way, the one who matters the most. So long as I'm loving what I'm writing, revising, and editing, I'm doing great! :)

[@PhoebeWritesFiction]

Congrats on reaching 50k in the story! I hate medical appointments - even when you have a lot close together they are still anxiety-inducing. Very understandable to not get the daily vlog in! Love the bucket analogy. I've heard of authors cutting out bits when they do a reading, but this was added sentences? Which is so intriguing to me? Very curious. Have fun at the next book signing!

[@_minkit]

I finished my outline and world-building (well as "finished" as finished can be with those things) so I finally got started on drafting. i've written a preface and the 1st chapter, both of which i took my time writing (that is to say, both only took a couple of hours, but instead of trying to write as much as i can in 1 day, i'm stopping after i finish a chapter). I'm being a bit more careful about my word choice even on this 1st draft than I usually am. decided to go about this story differently than i normally do and so far i'm having fun with it and REALLY loving what I've written. i'm in the middle of writing chapter 2 now. i sorta lost my focus but usually your vlogs get my focus going again (honestly, when I found your channel this summer, that's when my drive to start being more serious with writing original fiction started so thank you for that) so I'm gonna dive back into chapter 2 and hopefully finish it today! if i don't tho, i'm going to tell myself that's okay & finish it tomorrow. My friend gave me a tarot reading the other week for advice on my writing and a big thing it kept repeating to me was "find balance" and "take a break" lmao both which i'm bad at so

[@johntubbs6617]

It could be the scene that is not working, is really just an "incident" (a goal-oriented passage that has no conflict or disaster section in it), or it's a "happening" (where it's just character introductions at a meeting or party, conference type event) which is fine, if it leads to intense scenes of conflict later on etc. You can leave it an incident or happening, or you can convert them to a full out scene (Goal - conflict - disaster) construct. It depends on the story really.

[@kristinarose111]

I love the weekly recap! Congrats in 50k on PDesth

[@reginaduke7451]

"As one does..." LOL I love it. Changes are allowed. I hope you feel better soon, doctors suck more time than money, is that possible? I hated going to the doctor, still do, but I have some specialists that I really trust and rely on. GPs keep retiring out from under me! ACK! You are doing great!!! 50K landmarks are so important!!! Love you!

[@KateCavanaugh]

THANK YOU! yes, changes are always allowed! :) It's so hard when the doctors we love have to retire. Like I know they do but whyyyyyy bahaha. Sending you the biggest hug!!

[@KylieStewart_Author]

Oh I totally understand white coat syndrome 🤣 I always worry my bp is gonna make me stroke out when I go 🤣 glad you’re okay ❤

[@happinesss2]

This month has been a challenge and I think it’s totally fine to put yourself first instead of stress about nanowrimo. I gave up like daaaays ago and I feel okay. It is on the back of my mind but I think it’s better for me. I’m just not in the right state of mind. I’ve been reading legends and lattes haha it’s cozy!

[@bethcox3226]

I read Legends and Lattes because you enjoyed it so much. Now, because of your comments, I want to read Bookstores and Bone Dust. I was worried it wouldn't be as cozy as the first. I needed cozy fantasy then and have learned I need it now, I hope it continues as a subgenre. I need more of that vibe.

[@marias8007]

Its 1 dec here in nz and i just won my first nanowrimo!!!! Thanks alot to ur vids n tips 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@KateCavanaugh]

AHHH OMG CONGRATULATIONS!!! Way to go, that's so much hard work and dedication. (I'll be using you as inspiration to push through the last 6K I need today lolol.)

[@marias8007]

@@KateCavanaugh hehe thsnk you n YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

[@KateCavanaugh]

[@NicoleWilbur]

OMG an Ally Carter book signing!!!! I would LOVE to go to a book signing by her! I LOVED Blonde Identity (and all her past YA books too :) ) Really really excited to hear about it

[@KateCavanaugh]

It was SO MUCH FUN. I think I've been to 2 or 3 book signings of hers (or maybe this is my 2nd one and the other was at a big book festival with a lot of people??). She's always a blast to hear speak!! :) Definitely will let share some snippets from that. :)

[@ladymiorie7824]

Not going to lie, my nano scarf is looking mostly white with a lot of 0's as well lol. I almost gave up, but you inspired me to keep at it so thank you!

[@nrivanwrites]

I was so excited to finally have a nano that wouldn't be interrupted by finals season, and then I scheduled getting my wisdom teeth removed right in the middle of it. Slowwwwwly trying to catch up, doubting I'll get a win this year but hoping I have enough days off from work to make it!

[@susannahlewis8464]

Glad to see you're alright! I just followed, and I was worried, haha. My NaNo is going pretty well. I'm like 5k words up on my goal. Yesterday was the first day I just wasn't able to write anything because I was so exhausted. I'm prepping to vend at a con this weekend and that's taking up a lot of my time.

[@mariek5309]

Congrats! I also hit 50.000 words yesterday! (also in the story, started way before NaNoWriMo lol) Gonna treat myself to some sushi to celebrate :)

[@Heothbremel]

I've won nano in terms of the 50k, which is a good feeling, but the real goal this year was to complete draft 5 of Book 1 and get draft 1 of Book 2 done. I finished Book 1, but I'm not sure if I'm going to get Book 2 done or not. I did finish 1 at day 14 so in theory it's possible, but I think it's gonna be a scramble and I'll just have to see how far I get. The word count is useful in pushing me when my brain is tired but it really is coming down to trying to cram a full novel into 2 weeks XD

[@giseledute]

RIP old keyboard. I'm glad you don't try too hard and end up losing the desire to write trying to film and edit everything together. The vlogs are still wonderful!

[@Rec426]

I'm nearly finished with my second draft of my novel so I know I'm not going to hit the 50K word count this month and I've made my peace with that :') I haven't done as much work on it this week because one I went to a gig at the beginning of the week and that whacked out the rest of my week and also I think I feel weird about finishing my book even tho its the second draft. I think it's because I've been working on it for so long it does feel weird that I'm about to end it again. I'm hoping that ill be able to finish it this weekend :)

[@alexor081]

🎉🎉🎉👍👍👍

[@KateCavanaugh]

:) :) :)

[@fionahowellwrites5302]

Aw, hope you're okay! I have white coat syndrome too. Doesn't matter what appointment it is, my heart rate goes way up and the nurse thinks I'm gonna faint or drop dead. Me: No, it's just because you walked in! LOL

[@ceceliacrowley385]

Same here. They always look at me after taking my BP like I should be DEAD. I just smile like heh it's anxiety. After the appointment its always drastically lower.

[@fionahowellwrites5302]

@@ceceliacrowley385 Yeah. Why I made sure my Fitbit says what my regular heart rate is so I can show them I’m fine. 😆

[@ceceliacrowley385]

Girl, I love McAlisters!!!

[@ceceliacrowley385]

Girl, I love Blackrock!! lmao!!

[@milicadiy]

I hit 20k on Saturday and couldn't write since. I hope it gets better, but I don't really care. This is just a fun challenge, after all.

[@jazzmineanderson6330]

Do you have an over word count goal for Project Death?

[@honeyasylum8178]

Did you not hear about the grooming from the NaNoWriMo mods? We are all kind of avoiding the website right now

[@moonstone7446]

I just heard it today. I wonder if Kate will address it in the next vlog to raise awareness of her viewers...

[@honeyasylum8178]

@@moonstone7446 I hope so

[@KateCavanaugh]

I also just heard about it a couple days ago!! They recently sent out a statement over email and I'm waiting to see what other action is going to be taken or more info. It was really hard to find anything more about it outside of one site? But if you have any other links, I'd love to read up on it more. As someone who's been a longtime donor to NaNo -- and raised money for the org here on KZbin! -- I've been really disappointed about several things that have come out this November. Gonna keep a close eye on it for sure.

[@honeyasylum8178]

@@KateCavanaugh I know there were several videos on tiktok about it, ill try to find them and provide the users. I know that the board had to step in as moderators and shut the site down for a bit. Thanks for keeping an eye on the situation!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Oooh, yes please and thank you! I don't have TikTok but I'm willing to redownload it for this. I hope they keep it all shut down until they figure everything out.

[@Kat_Author2021]

I got really sick yesterday (the 16th) after writing 1400 words... so I'm recovering now. I've got just under 26,500 words in nano... and I'm back to writing. :) My favorite lines from my story (a HP/PJ crossover fanfic) are: "Do you really think a three year old can defeat a dragon?" Harry scoffed. "That just shows how stupid you really are. And you call yourself a journalist, Ms. Skeeter." :D

[@romeoandthechickenfeather]

Wait, did you start using a new keyboard without mentioning it at all? Am I out of the loop? Is this actually an old keyboard brought back out of the wardrobe?

[@ForfatterHildeHogsnes]

Suddenly I heard my gaming tag and looked up from my bullet journal! Patreon shoutout yay! =D - MsHildur90

[@labyrinthofallthings]

I get bad white coat anxiety around doctors. of course doctors here brush it off and just imply things.

[@KateCavanaugh]

It can be so paralyzing!! It took me so long to see doctors because of it (that and how awful our health care system is here in the States). I hope you find some that listen to you and treat you well soon!!

[@labyrinthofallthings]

Would have to move out of this county for that. We're working on that @@KateCavanaugh

[@herothebard]

Plot twist Tovey (IDK how to spell her name) is death or a child of the God of death and thus why her powers work differently. Lol who knows.

[@peterrealar2.067]

I've learned there are WAY too many plants that are named after something that they remotely aren't. A plant called Grape ISN'T a grape. Damn you botanists. Your fruit naming is making survival less fun. Also, 42,649 in words for moi.

[@DreamingTruth.author]

Congratulations 🎉❤

[@KateCavanaugh]

Thank youuuu! :)