playing catch-up & rogue backstory | NANOWRIMO DAY 6!

[@Wiscocards12]

Yay! Glad your husband is a Scorpio. Best sign 🦂

[@charley_warlzz]

Kate, have you considered buying blue light/red-tinted glasses for when youre typing? I also have migraines, and theyre recommended a LOT by a lot of people i know. I just double checked, and the ones ive been specifically recommended were FL-41s, for blue light and uv. They might help on days when youre doing a lot of typing/editing.

[@ringsroses]

Getting rid of the pressure feeling is such a huge deal. Unexpectedly I had to move at the end of October and I consciously decided to shelve writing for basically a month. But, once I had my office set up I ended up just opening my document and picking right up where I'd left things. There's something to creating and maintaining boundaries around writing time and space. I think it becomes easier to experience that feeling of a magical, liminal space via whatever rituals and boundaries keep writing time and space seperate from normal life.

[@peterrealar2.067]

Kate, I don't have a job anymore, so I can just write every day. I will say that I had to juggle my book with some art for a commission. Also, WHEN DID YOU GET MARRIED?? Anyway, I have 9,375 words currently, and I learned that I had to add crazy action in my story to justify all the backstory in the beginning of the book.

[@charley_warlzz]

She mentioned in an update video/qna that its been almost a year! It was the “chatting $$” one.

[@peterrealar2.067]

@@charley_warlzz I had a moment where my channel was hacked and had to make a new one so I missed that one. Had to resub.

[@Spider-Manders]

I'm just surprised that I've hit 10k. It's such a nice and weird feeling. I decided to plants this project cause I felt like I was stuck in the planning phase. So i'm fully commited to the zero draft! Then I'll go back to it, hammer in the plot, and rewrite. 🥰

[@NanaXardone810]

You mentioned wanting something that keeps counting - forest does! And I have come to admit that I'm much more of a headlights writer than I thought- or at least I am for this series - and I am swapping to zero drafting book 2 for NaNo (instead of a book 1 draft 2)

[@samantharose1001]

Passed 10K today!! I’m discovering my capacity for faster drafting and not editing as I go (as much) ☺️

[@StudioLindsay]

I learned that when writing while tired, I’ve found it helpful to do the sprint on my phone in the Notes app.

[@76kilosofshade81]

I'm over 16K words. Doing 15 mins before I leave for school, while drinking a coffee, has become a ritual for me. That way, even if the day gets away from me, I've got a couple hundred words. More about the habit and maintaining momentum (and getting that every day update badge! 🤣) than anything else.

[@KyothePhoenix]

Just wanted to say you're not the only person who loves 100 Grand bars. Funny enough, I've been bribing myself with them for NaNo too 😂

[@KateCavanaugh]

I've found my people!! They're soooo good. Truly have it all. The crunchy bits, the caramel, the chocolate. Delicious and the perfect bribe bahaha.

[@oigalena]

I learned that I can't reward myself because I still take the reward even if I haven't written at all LOL and my story has so many holes that make me realize that I have sooo much to learn (I mean, obviously, it's my first nano and before that, I just plan the things poorly)

[@oigalena]

11:13 look at the colors! look at the colors!

[@Lara_Ameen]

I also took 2 days off (Sunday and Monday)-trying to get back to it today. I’m very behind on my word count. I only have a little above 2K. Working on a brand new novel based on a TV drama pilot I just finished revising (and getting ready to submit the pilot plus another for a huge paid TV writing fellowship that has been taking up a lot of my time). I want to finish my draft by December. I hope I can. Good for you for taking weekends off! Hope your husband had a wonderful birthday! 💜

[@annahcreates]

100 Grand is arguably the best candy bar to ever exist 7:27

[@little_flamingo]

Forgot to save my word document today 😭

[@demikhalid2678]

November is the best month of the year!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊

[@fardareismai4495]

Since uni is kicking my ass with a lot of papers right now, I'm doing a modified Nano. I'm counting my uni words, because it feels good, and I'm worldbuilding a new setting as my creative Nano project

[@charitablewaves]

I’m writing a series of novellas, I’m on my first draft and am close to 13,000 words atm. I’ve tried the hollow woods cards and was surprised and excited with a brand new scene and character from it.

[@madametrafficjam8347]

Today I have learnt that my MC's relationship to his older brother has more mutual affection than I had originally thought. It was a good discovery and one I will develop further in the second draft. Passed 15k words today!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Oooooh I love that discovery!! Family -- and especially sibling -- dynamics are some of my favorites to read. And CONGRATS on 15K! You're killing it! :)

[@_minkit]

my friend did a tarot reading for me last night. i just wanted advice on actually finishing projects because it's something i've ALWAYS had trouble with. The reading basically told me things I already knew (that i have a lot of ideas but i need to find balance, take some breaks--cuz sorta like how you mentioned when i take a break i always feel like i'm not doing enough and it makes me feel guilty esp cuz i DO LOVE writing, also take care of myself in general, but also i need persistence and to just go for it) so im gonna try to take all that advice and put it into action. take it to heart. as far as my nano project goes, i mentioned during your twitch stream that i decided to worldbuild a cyber-punk-esque type world and now im working on trying to outline a bit on the idea i was originally doing within this new world, so it's sorta changed some things but im liking it much better than what it was originally, it also adds a lot more conflict and depth to the characters so i'm excited to continue working on that.

[@PierreCroft]

Girl I love 100 gram! So good!

[@casscutting1573]

100 grand bars are soo good they are an underrated candy bar. I wont say they are my favorite but they are good. Happy Birthday to your partner I hope he had a wonderful day. This NaNo I am doing something different. I talked with a trad pub friends of mine and had her read over my query letter to give me some advice. Now with her input I am rewriting my query letter then I will be sending it off to another round of agents. I am, thanks to Becca (C Smith) I am going to be working on turning that same story into a screen play. As if that isnt enough I am working on book 2 in the series I am writing.

[@bethanrumsey4634]

I'm one week in and can happily say I'm above the wordcount which is really fun because I first did Nano 7 years ago when I was still in school and I succeeded. Since then, I've tried every year but always struggled because of Uni deadlines being in November and/or a lack of motivation. I graduated last year and have really struggled to get back on track with writing, but even with a full-time job, I've thankfully been able to make this Nano work for me. It felt like a massive weight off my chest to get over 10k words as that was my previous highest Nano total after winning. I finally feel like I'll do it again. Thanks for the videos. Makes me feel like I'm not doing it alone.

[@smartfunny15]

In my story, I'm surprised at how easy writing a sort of transcript of a podcast running by three characters is gonna be. I love the Van Gogh shirt! I passed 5,500 words!

[@rissaallen6298]

I’m loving these mini Nano vlogs! Good luck everyone who’s writing this month 💙 I passed the 25% mark yesterday and I can’t believe it!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Ahhh thank you and OMG congrats!!! That's incredible, way to freaking go! :)

[@rissaallen6298]

THANKS!

[@oigalena]

1:55 OMG I have to try this

[@klatchabobby]

I decided to participate in NaNo as a rebel. Still doing 50K, but this is a second draft/second attempt at draft 1 because it never got finished. Either way, considering I'm actually keeping up with NaNo while in college, I'm doing very well

[@gerindakappert]

I've written a chapter in pov from the 'bully of the mc' and I wanted the writer to feel sorry for him. But now I do to! I feel sorry I put him in a nasty parent-child relationship! So fun acually, that the characters grow and develop while you're writing them. I'm so curious at how your scarf will look like in the end 🧣

[@theenthugger]

Kate drop the link to the shirt!!! pls shower this glorious find upon us!

[@snapdragona]

It WAS me!! Yay! I'm glad you got the mug, I was worried it might have broken 😂😂

[@KateCavanaugh]

AHHHH THANK YOU AMANDA!! I love it!! ☕️🤎

[@oigalena]

awwn I love your outfit 0:30

[@KerriB]

I need that mug! ❤ I'm already like 5k behind because I didn't get many words in today so I'm hoping to do a 10k Saturday next weekend

[@anonymousbub3410]

100 Grand bars are soooo good!!!!!

[@AdrianasWonderland]

let's goooo, falf of the month!

[@BethIsWriting]

Not writing related, but 100 Grand is a great candy bar! 😁

[@Wallisimo]

The clothes falling onto the camera for your chores made me lol! Professional camera work!

[@Wallisimo]

omg also YAY for the medicine working!!!

[@bookishcountryside]

Today I learned that I think I want to do a non-linear structure for the episode I started today. For context my NaNo project is a screenplay for a TV series about one summer in a small town in southeast Massachusetts. I’m not sure how it would work in terms of filming since it’s not a structure I’ve used before in this project. I am liking the story though and I’m pinning down the characters more and more with each episode, which for me is fun and good. It’s what I wanted to happen, but I didn’t quite know how to make it happen, so the fact that it’s happening organically and I’m not having to work as hard on that piece as I thought I might is making the progress go quicker than I thought it would. I had no confidence in being able to complete my stretch goal, but I’m thinking it might be possible at this point in time which is an exciting thought. Also, one of my characters has completely changed everything about herself (except her name), but I think this new version of her character is going to make the screenplay better, so it was a surprise in all the best ways

[@stone2619]

I’m learning that my main character is very flawed (in a good way), but that makes it easier for me to move the story along.

[@phoenixfaye73]

Got an entire day free and wrote 5548 words today. Thank goodness . . . because I have a feeling I'll need that buffer come the middle of November! As for what I learned about the story - well, as it turns out, mystery novels are WAY more fun to write than I had anticipated, so that was great. :D

[@somberhoney]

I also love the thing that estimates what day you'll finish, every time I put new words in I'm like okay what day is it saying now

[@KateCavanaugh]

YESSSSS. It's so entertaining. Later in the month I'll update like 100 words at a time and get mad when it doesn't change, as if I'm shocked bahaha.

[@inimitablebooksllc]

So glad you're feeling refreshed!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Thanks Zara!! :)

[@nanawritesstuff]

I had a bit of an unproductive weekend where I had the time, but my ADHD was acting up and barely did any writing done. I'm around 3000 words behind my supposed-to-be daily quota, but I'm forcing myself to not let this ruin my Nano. Aka I don't let myself go "I know I won't be able to write 3000 plus any day so I might as well give up early" and basically I ignore the wordcount for now. For a bit. On another note, my main character made writing the scenes only she's in harder because I didn't find her interesting (which is funny because she's not supposed to be interesting, her whole point is that she wants to follow a list of rules she set for herself), but now I feel like I grasped her purpose a bit and also I wrote a dialogue where the personality of the other mc (I have a favourite...) really shines through? Don't have to do any chores today as far as I know, so I hope I will get more writing done than on the weekend and monday :) Your videos help me a bit because for some reason I assume that only I'm behind the wordcount when that's not true. Also ffs, I wanna read your story so much, it sounds so interesting ToT

[@fionahowellwrites5302]

That's how I do nano: write for 25min. do some cleaning, write more, go walking, write, clean. It works better than sitting there for hours.

[@moonboywales]

I have also been binging Selling Sunset instead of writing. 😂 But I’m at 13k which is most I’ve written in a single story so we getting there!

[@jessieartsdaily]

I decided the day before Nano to change my project from a novel to a series of short stories. The first few were on the shorter side, but the one I'm working on right now is shaping up nicely. After each short story is done I consult "the cup." I wrote down all my ideas on scraps of paper and pick one randomly. My surprise during Nanowrimo is that this is working out really well. I get overwhelmed trying to decide what I'm working on, so the cup chooses for me. Thank you for all that you do. I love watching your content!

[@KCStiles]

October is work's busiest time of year, and I have been pulling overtime every single weekend. I'm realizing this is not conducive to taking time to write in early November because I'm pretty tired.

[@axlaru]

I'm pantsing my story so it's all a surprise. Though an actual more surprise-y surprise for me yesterday was having a random cowboy show up 😂 or at least a dude dressed as a cowboy for some reason

[@axlaru]

In the story, to clarify. There wasn't just some cowboy knocking on my door yesterday lol

[@castiel940]

I am having a crazy experience this nano because usually I am as planner as they come, but this nano I started writing something I had no outline, not even a full idea for... I am just writing unrelated scenes and maybe next draft I'll see how to tie it all together. Being a pantser is definitely an adventure! I am 10k words today, which means I am on track, and if I finish this, it'll be my first complete nanowrimo! (Also sorry for my English I am not a native speaker lol

[@elizathemermaid]

I have learnt that I can't limit myself to one story. I also find the end-date prediction on NaNoWriMo entertaining, it always feels like a bit of a challenge

[@pucksandpaperbacks]

I have a creative juice mug, too! Not the same as yours, mine is more ceramic and it's all blue. I wrote with it last night and had some hot chocolate. It hit 10k on Saturday but am feeling the inspiration run dry, but that's also because I'm pantsing it. I'm usually a panster but I like to at least have an idea haha

[@janalewis3030]

Congrats on progress! I don't get to do NaNo this year. :( Bummed. But cheering you all on! BTW - where's the recipe for the cheese bread? That looked amazing!

[@reginaduke7451]

Hurray! Another lovely video! I'm up to 3600 words on the 2nd short paranormal, but I was in bed for a couple of days, so that's not bad. You are learning the "ease up on the pressure" lesson about 40 years earlier than I did. LOL So glad your new medication works! Love you!

[@KateCavanaugh]

WOOOOO FOR 3600!!! Also I hope you're feeling better! That's incredible progress. I love the idea of focusing on shorts for a NaNo or Camp, I might have to try that sometime! LOVE!!

[@SkeletonQueen3268]

Unless I get several 10ks or a lot of 5ks…nano ain’t happening for me but I’m still so enjoying your daily vlogs

[@oigalena]

I love Zelda, she's so cute

[@UndyingLight117]

I'm still working on todays words but I'm at 12885 right now. Pantsing all the way to the end of the story. 😁

[@KateCavanaugh]

HOLY SHIT. You're crushing it!!! Enjoy the ride!! 👖👖👖

[@bookishsyd]

I also took the weekend off, just unintentionally, haha. Had some family and work stuff, so it's been a little hard to get back into the story, weirdly enough. So I guess I've learned that I'm a shark- keep swimming or die. And I'm honestly just surprised in general a plot has developed so quickly in my outline (now that I'm actually outlining this story for maybe the first time in my life).

[@KateCavanaugh]

Bahaha! You're not the first person I've heard that to be true for, but you ARE the first person I've heard liken it to a shark. I love it though! It's the perfect way to describe it. I've had those shark-like times before too! Glad to hear the plot is developing quickly though, that's awesome! As someone who's only recently become an outliner, it really is fun to develop it this way. Never would've thought I'd say that bahaha.

[@michellediduch2955]

Kate! When did you get married?! Your success is giving me so much motivation. I've not started my project yet, but I know what I'm going to do, and I'm going to get started tomorrow.

[@agingerwrites]

Glad you took a proper weekend! I feel ya on the FOMO of missing out on the writeathons as I too tend to take the weekends off to focus on family, so I usually miss particpating in them lol. ALSO IS TODAY YOUR PARTNERS BIRTHDAY?? If so, I'd like you to know that it is also my daughter's birthday, my niece's, and my dad's lol. I am very behind in NaNo, but feeling energized with this new week and the fact I don't have a contest deadline looming over me.

[@giseledute]

I was excited for the vlog!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Yaaaay! Took me a little longer than usual, but I'm hoping to be back in full force tomorrow (and streaming tomorrow!). :)

[@Kat_Author2021]

Yay! You mentioned my advice! :D (Waiting for the end of the video to see how you did.) :D A 2k day is awesome!

[@KateCavanaugh]

I really enjoyed it!!! I think I'm going to start integrating it more often into my "routine." I'm actually more surprised I've kept my office as clean as I have throughout NaNo so far. 😂

[@Kat_Author2021]

@@KateCavanaugh My desk is in a constant state of disarray. lol. My room is not much better. :D lol.

[@herothebard]

Anyone that knows me shouldn't be suprised that I changed my nanowrimo project to another 20 story project where I simply try to get as much writen as possible in as many projects as possible. I'm exhaused but I do have 14944 words writen so far as of day 6. Also in response to "someone on the twitch stream told me about writing chore crawls" it was me!!!

[@milicadiy]

I knew that my main character wasn't perfect, but I was still surprised when she became slightly more mysterious and deceitful. You see, she's an orphan in the 1920s who becomes an unpaid companion to some old money lady, but she hides it and lets most people think she was born into wealth because it would be embarrassing if her past were revealed. She gains an air of mystery and allure around her, which is a nice parallel to her new money love interest I came up with spontaneously as I wrote. She has some (other) dark hidden traits in her, and when it becomes known that she slept with her love interest, there will be more reasons to think of her as a gold-digging harlot from an outer perspective, and although she's in love, she'll have a reason to think of herself as this to some extent. TLDR: My poor orphan became a more morally complex character than she was supposed to because of my writing habits.

[@JaLisaMariecountrygi]

With Project Death, I have a question. At what point does a nickname or title become a persons name? Like in irl I have two cousins who have gone by nicknames their whole lives, I have forgotten their actual names. Or like, I think I remember you have a character referred to as prince. Calling a person by the title or nickname as their only form of a name, doesn’t that turn it into their name?

[@KateCavanaugh]

It's such a good question and is an outright discussion point between some characters later in the story! (I guess book 2 now?? Lolol.) For trading a name to Death, I'd argue specificity is important, so I have the character of the "armorer" but there are multiple armorer's in the capital. So knowing the actual name is what you need. You could also argue that Death doesn't work on a ~mortal~ level so what their profession/description is doesn't matter to It. (There's some history where they play around with NOT naming a newborn, naming a newborn directly after someone else, etc. etc.)

[@JaLisaMariecountrygi]

@@KateCavanaugh could make for a nice little comedy moment, whoops Death got the wrong John Smith! Oh and just typing that, I got the idea for a whole series The Misadventures of Death in a Nameless World. Too much baby brain (just had my first in September).

[@DreamingTruth.author]

Your videos are so fun to watch!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Awww, thanks so much!