Writing A Novel In 30 Days ✨📖 NANOWRIMO DIARIES DAY 1 VLOG

[@HeartBreathings]

This is it!! Who is following along this year? How's it going so far?? So excited for this month, and I can't wait to share it with all of you!! Let me know in the comments what you're writing this year!

[@danakaystone]

I hope you are doing well❣ I pushed through the discomfort of engaging Panster mode and wrote 1,188 words yesterday. I of course waited to the last minute🤣 Normally I am in Plotter mode, but I too just wanted to start getting words on the page. I only intended to write for 15 min or so. I had forgotten how much I love to write and an hour later I had more words on the page than I had dreamed of. I wish everyone all best words and wishes💖💖💖

[@xeinakingdom]

So happy to see your first vlog! My first day went not so well but I did get 1680 words (after 4 hours though... so I decided to change my methods a bit haha)

[@Miriam3303]

So glad to see this! Big boost of energy!

[@youdonotyieldbooktalk]

This is my first year attempting NaNo! I was able to write 1412 words yesterday! I'm writing hopefully my debut novel, Ravens of Graves Hollow. A NA | Dystopian | Urban Fantasy. I appreciate all of your help with the calenders, How To videos, and every else. Excited to follow along with you this year! ❤❤❤

[@ebarnes422]

I’m writing a romance that’s based on my experiences working at a theatre in PA!

[@JodeeJeanDanielsJustWrite]

Andrew's head nod from the field reminded me so much of Tanner when he was that age and playing ball! :)

[@melanie98d]

Aww I missed the nano diary music. Always love your intros!

[@MyUpsideDownLife-SKR]

Woohoo! Yayyy! Sarra btw I love the house! Just looking beautiful!

[@BeeSteenable]

I follow every year! Not a writer, but ❤ these vlogs! Go, go, go!

[@HeartBreathings]

Yay! Thank you!

[@elliestephenson4146]

Go, NaNoWriMos! Your diaries are one of the highlights for me. I set the alarm half an hour earlier every morning, let the pooches out and then feed them, make coffee and then sit down to watch your daily vlog. Just the inspiration I need. My word count end of day 2 is 2925 🎉 I say go for the air bnb, as you’ll be closer to coffee shops and places to eat. But a cabin in the woods does sound fun 🤩

[@msmwriter]

Great job on getting words in on Day One. I'm behind, but hoping to be able to report some words by the end of the day today (Friday). Happy Writing!

[@ghostyplans]

I wrote for only one 20 min sprint and got somewhere in the 600 word range too. There’s still hope!

[@annelyle5474]

Love the bat blanket 🦇❤ I hit my target of 1300 words on Day 1 - for the past couple of years I've aimed for fewer words on weekdays and more at weekends, which has really helped me to avoid zero-word days and that negative momentum spiral you always warn us about 😀

[@sunitasaldhana4491]

Great 1st day! I am not doing Nanowrimo but watching these vlogs inspires me to write everyday too.

[@DreamingTruth.author]

❤❤❤ Day one went great. I wrote 1897 words. Today is going well too.

[@alykgirl10]

Literally just came up with a new story last night. Worked hard to get some words in.

[@Cat-jn2fz]

Yeah!

[@rosannebowman2592]

I am still plotting, but I am so excited about this story. It's the first time in a different world over 3 years! Sending you good vibes for your book!

[@AlexandreaBrumfield]

I’m doing the challenge year too! First day word count was 1,697!!!

[@fralou_sind_kreativ]

YAY, Happy NaNoWriMo!!!! :D I had a slow start because I wasn't really sure if I should change projects last minute. Here in Germany it's already November 2nd. I'm sitting at almost 3K and feel that I'm slowly able to let go and dive into the story. I'm curious how the month will continue :) Cheering you on and everybody else that's participating! Sending much love and creative vibes

[@marylundholm]

Love the honest journey. I hope to work each day as well. You inspired me to do at least 15 minutes to ight

[@SillyTrouble_]

Let the NaNo adventure begin! I have a free cabin in the woods in Montana if its helpful

[@ninafrisby8254]

Yay! Nanowrimo Diaries are back!!

[@Brenda_Kerr]

Sitting here with all these plans and plots and I’ve tested positive for Covid and Strep 😢. Thank you Sarra for your videos, motivation, and peaceful spirit they mean so much to me.

[@HeartBreathings]

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry. What a way to start the month. I hope you heal up fast!

[@philippawood5047]

Reporting for duty, we are on this journey together. I put some of my success with Nano last year down to your vlogs, hoping to hit my goal again this time. We got this, Sarra!!

[@kerianv]

So happy your Nano vlogs are back! This is how I discovered your channel last year. I wasn't doing Nano at the time, but I am this year and I'm excited to follow along with you! I'll use your vlogs as my reward for completing my target word count each day haha

[@cassiemerson7789]

Ohh a cabin would be a nice idea, safety first of course, but sounds like it'd tie in so nicely with your story! Love the Nano diaries so happy and grateful for the effort it takes

[@76kilosofshade81]

Cabin in the woods!! Go for the mood/vibes. Just check reviews for the location and take standard precautions. 😄

[@HeartBreathings]

Yeah, I'm leaning that way. There's a grouping of cabins with some shared spaces that the owner is on property that I might go to. Feels safer!

[@76kilosofshade81]

@@HeartBreathings For sure safety first. Then aesthetics! LOL

[@SIMulatedSara]

I'm also going for the "write every day" badge this year. I'm also going for 60-70k words and a finished first draft. Good luck to you on your edits this week!

[@bethtanner4481]

That blanket is a delight!

[@SimsFreakGaming]

I was in a car accident on Monday, October 30th, and luckily both me and my partner are okay, but now I'm feeling like I'm behind since yesterday (November 2nd) and I didn't reach the daily goal (1,415/1,667). I've also been doubting my writing since I'm super rusty, but then I keep reminding myself that this is my first time doing NaNoWriMo and it's okay to not hit the daily mark. I've been watching you and so many other writers and readers and y'all have been such an inspiration!

[@HeartBreathings]

Oh no! Thank goodness you are both okay!

[@SimsFreakGaming]

@@HeartBreathings thank you! I'm glad we are too, and on day 4, my ribs are feeling much better! You give me so much inspiration and I'm just so thankful that I came across your videos! 🥰

[@createitjazzi]

Great start Sarra! I am not a writer but I watch you all the time. Keep pushing Girl, YOU GOT THIS!

[@MarkHarwoodBooks]

I'm so excited for the diary! I love this first entry. And "low" word count is still work done. 🤘 I only wrote 380 words yesterday. Better than zero. 😅

[@brookdwyer4554]

Yay for a great first day of NaNo for you!! I started strong with 2091! Hoping to keep the positive momentum!

[@KellysCreativeDreams]

Hey Sarra... First thing I noticed... this video came out at 10:10 in length! You are right on time and right on track! I'd be okay staying in a cabin in the hill country alone... as long as I had my phone. LOL I would say go with what you are comfortable with. Maybe find a lodge that has the rustic cabin feel but you're not alone. Checking in with Nano every day is one of my goals. I'm going to print the badges and put them in my preptober planner. Creative Blessings!

[@gretchens.workshop]

Kind of working on a couple of novels but I am more so using NaNo as a way to at least become more consistent in writing! I work full time and I am also a full-time student. Participating but making it my own a little bit also! Excited for the NaNoWriMo Diaries and I wish luck to everyone participating this year ❤

[@kristengwenwriter]

I love your clicky keyboard! It sounds so satisfying as those words go up! So happy to have daily vlogs to encourage me as I go for my NaNo goals. Thank you! We can do this!! Happy writing :)

[@jeanelarson]

Have an excellent retreat! I edited yesterday--hoping to get some new words today, but also packing for a trip, so I'm trying to be kind to myself if I have a slow start. Write on!

[@Ang36914]

Day 1 went okay for me, about 250 words but am aiming to catch up today. I also have some Halloween decorations to put away and some Christmas ones to put up. And wow, Texas is nearly as cold as Ontario, Canada now lol. Love your nails and writing setup btw.

[@maryjocampbell6019]

Working on a fresh new novel that I’m obsessed with and thinking about constantly! So excited to be in a joyful writing phase again! No nano this year cause I feel it may kill my vibe . Cheering everyone on! 🎉

[@t.a.creech4999]

My hope for you, Sarra, is that this doesn't turn into quite as wild a ride as 2020 Nano Diaries. For any of us!

[@HeartBreathings]

haha, well, we'll see. Sometimes the wild rides of life are what give us the most growth, so I'm open to whatever is best for me in the long run. But yes, it would be nice not to cry this year :P.

[@lexybaginsky]

we had a national holiday yesterday so I started strong with over 4700 words. Today with work and therapy I only managed close to 1000 but I found that if I get 5K on every day I don't have to work I only have to do 500 each work day and still be done early. So that's the plan. Double down day will make all the difference!

[@jose11032]

This is MY FIRST NANO ever, I chickened out last year ... with the same story. But this year I'm ready. My project is a NA portal fantasy with kind of a fairytale-vibe, set in a medieval fantasy world and with themes of letting go of revenge and hurt in the past and the idea of who and what you could have been, and instead bravely create the person you want to be in present life of love and connection. T his has turned out to be kind of MY OWN story really, since I was a performer and singer and wanted the stage-life, but then my boyfriend (and best friend since we were 14) got deadly sick. He was all that matters then, the small moments on the hospital, playing with the hospital gear to make him laugh, reading the last 2 Happy Potter books for him in the dead of night, just to forget the painful world we were part of. He is alive and well today, we have been friends for 23 years, a couple for 19 years and married for 14, and we have a beautiful home with healthy kids and cute cats in a happy small suburban town ... But I was sad, I thought I was traumatized and depressed because of his heart failure, but this year, I found out I've had crippling ADHD. I now have a whole new level of self love and understanding, a whole new respect for my strenght and power through the hard times, and I have to remind myself that my brain helped us both in the darkest days. My beautiful daughter deals with the same issues, but she now has a mom that understand her on a deep deep level, and will always have her back through all trying times. Life will be alright. This is fun, and big, and daunting, but dont let it bring you down, let it lift you up and show you where your strenghts are. It's the small things that counts, the changing of seasons, the connection and love we all live by, and for ... write THAT.

[@HeartBreathings]

So exciting!!!

[@princesssimplicity5172]

I’m finishing the novel I started last NaNoWriMo. I have five chapters left to write. I reached my writing goal the first night. Working on Day 2’s goal.

[@staceyshillingburg7966]

Yay! Thank you for continuing to do the NaNoWriMo Diaries. I am sure it is pretty tiring to try and work on your goals while doing video and editing videos so thank you so much for your hard work! I love following along on your journey whether it be Nano or anything else. I'm excited for TDOVS and all the other books you plan on writing. Thanks for being awesome and for being our cheerleader! We are here to cheer you on too!

[@HeartBreathings]

That means a lot!!!

[@LuskaTheWusky]

I know I won’t be able to write every day so my target word count for writing days is a little daunting (2,500). But I’m super excited and was able to just barely hit my goal yesterday! I’m being a rebel this year and working on a project I’ve been planning and plotting for years at this point. I’ve tried to write it for NaNo in the past and have never gotten past the first week. This year feels like the one though. I feel confident and excited and am already off to a good start. I’m excited to go on this journey with you 💜

[@StudioLindsay]

Yay, good luck with NaNo! 😊 I also want to get the Update Everyday badge, I think it was the only badge I didn’t get last year. Wrote a little over 1,800 words yesterday, and I’m hoping to write about the same amount today. 🤞

[@rosalee3522]

Working on the first book of a new series under my pen name. First day word count was 2,000. Go Sarra Go! Go Everyone Go!

[@woodlandlady7011]

Starting words for me on a new YA fantasy was 1587. I normally write adult so YA is a new challenge for me, and one I hope to enjoy as much as you do, Sarra. Best of luck with your edits. If you could stay in a cabin at the weekend to do your work unimpeded by your family, it would be excitingly scary

[@moonykmi]

So happy to watch this. Similarly to me, I showed up at the very end of the day, late at night and wrote 109 words 😅. Whoops. Unfortunately, I realized ny outline was outdated (I outlined this book a year ago) and had to re-outlined it yesterday, so that took most of my time.

[@Jesse.Walkinshaw]

When I tell you I was so excited to see this video…. I told my husband to not bother me for the duration of it lmam😂 but yay happy nano everyone!!! but I’m doing something’s I haven”t seen and I’ve personally never done and I uploaded a proof to kdp with huge margins and the page count is stupid high… but for my last round of edits so I’m reading my book in book form and I’m making edits in the book and let me tell you…. I’m throughly enjoying it! I’m bringing it with me places I wouldn’t bring my iPad and computer and just have a pen case with me for edit and notes etc. and with going on vacation for a friends wedding I don’t want to be stuck in the hotel room and worry about my electronics getting wet or stolen this has been a great option and again I’m loving it! The word count goal isn’t necessarily my goal this year but to finish these edits are so it’s been great !

[@HeartBreathings]

That's so awesome! I have friends who do this every time and then give it away after or keep it on the shelf for memories! Good idea!

[@Jesse.Walkinshaw]

@@HeartBreathings that’s amazing and such a cute idea !

[@theredmushroomproductions8967]

🎉 Happy NaNoWriMo everyone! Thank you for the video. I am also trying to update everyday for the badge. But my overall goal besides winning is keeping up with the graph.

[@pattyhopkins5682]

Love your vlog. I loved your nails. Even though I am not a writer, I love your positivity and family time.

[@aphroditesfille]

I'm at 2,437 words on my dark fantasy romance for NaNoWriMo and having a blast! My brother was so happy the Rangers won!😉

[@katiem7142]

Love the NaNoWriMo diaries! Glad they’re back for 2023. Sending you best wishes for a productive month!

[@elizabethdelafield7533]

Yay! The NaNoWriMo Diaries are one of my favorite things about NaNo! My start was disastrous, and I am trying to pull it together on day 2. I started writing the story, realized my heart wasn't in it, and now I have to figure out what to do.

[@HeartBreathings]

Always trust your heart!

[@elizabethdelafield7533]

Thank you! I found I was far more interested in a different kind of story. @@HeartBreathings

[@jenniferevelynhayes]

Congrats on launching NaNo with some new words, Sarra! I love these vlogs so much and look forward to more!

[@moretogigi]

I’m yet to get any words in so far, but I am looking to pick up momentum this weekend.

[@Avionne_Parris]

Congrats on your first Nano Diaries! This new intro compared to the previous years and seeing how big Andrew and Evie have gotten was great - I felt like I'm catching up with an old friend. Got 2184 words on my 1st day but I usually write a lot in the 1st 2 weeks of Nano. By week 3, there's typically a rough patch - either life curveball or the plot needs fixing :-)

[@lindaweedmark6025]

I am not sure where I am! I shifted perspective, scrapped my index cards, and keep going back and forth with I'm writing it/not writing it! It doesn't have the proper arc or fit the beats, I have to decide which sidekick, I'm having trouble with my villain. So I kind of wiped out just before the beginning. I have to decide if I'm gonna pull it together or just read and journal this month. Yayyy for day 2 of Nano!

[@Sovereign.Alignment]

🦋🦋🦋

[@elisasalazar46]

Best place to go and stay in a cabin is Broken Bow in Oklahoma

[@melissaferry5681]

Happy Thoughts to you for a great nanowrimo this year! 💜

[@annarodriguez2729]

So grateful for your previous vlog regarding not being ready for NaNo because I felt the same way on Halloween. So, yesterday I thought, WWSD- What Would Sarra Do? That's when I decided to clean my desk and office space while I watched your vlog. I was so excited to hear you say Day 1 would involve some cleaning as part of your NaNo kick-off. I didn't feel so behind anymore. Last night after the World Series, I wrote 297 words just to get something logged for day 1. As always, thank you for sharing your method and pathways to success as a way to empower the rest of us Hearties. By the way, my vote is to stay somewhere a little safer/more populated this year. The world is crazy enough, save the isolation of a cabin for another time. Happy NaNo!

[@HeartBreathings]

Aww, I love this!

[@karentroester148]

The cabin would be nice but personally I’d be freaked out considering your book’s setting

[@MissTroyable]

I'm working on book 2 in my fantasy YA series. So far so good...

[@imphelpswriter]

Ok, first... the cabin in the woods sounds amaz, however, remember how scared you (and all of us) got when we were talking about the haunted house and the cat's eyes was freaking you out. lol Anyway, how about that texas weather catching up with the east coast! Onto the question you asked - my first day was awesome! 2012 word count and feeling good.

[@traceymayhewauthor]

Thanks for sharing your vlog. I got 1857 words on day one and hoping to do a similar word count tonight for day 2!

[@BrekkeEl]

Watching these in Jan 2024 as a reminder and motivation to keep tackling my dreams ❤

[@chelseapickslay5359]

Working on the first book in a contemporary women’s fiction series. (Lots of travel and a little romance sprinkled in. 😊)

[@lynnlefay9631]

@Sarra - I've only been in the author sphere for a few years but I don't think I've ever seen you at the 20Books conference in November. You should definitely host a talk one of these years. I feel like you'd have so much you could choose from to teach about! We'd all gobble it up!

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you! No, I have never been!

[@pamjournalcreate]

Wow you write fast!!! Well i got 1669 words yesterday but i am still unsure that this is the right novel to write. Thanks for doing this vlogs they are so motivating really 💗

[@HeartBreathings]

I type fast 🤣 but I also spend way too much time trying to figure it all out.

[@glennamaynard]

Cabin the woods sounds like perfection but I'm with you and would likely scare myself.

[@annahlaineco]

Ahh love this, my day 1 and 2 are finishing up my Haven planner to get it to the manufacturer! had to learn adobe illustrator for it and it's been taking SO much longer than expected lol. I'll get to writing/editing just like you are tomorrow hopefully💜

[@bellarivea]

Hey Sara! I just want to thank you for unknowingly motivating me. This year I started on KZbin and for NaNo I am both putting an actual effort into winning NaNo, but I am also vlogging the experience along the way. I found your channel sometime in 2022 and you are the reason I was able to plot and finish the first draft of my debut novel. So I just wanted to say thank you and I love your channel and hearing about and seeing the life of a professional author and what is possible. For NaNo this year, I was able to finish the outlining phase in October and was able to start on Day 1 which I am super excited for. Currently, it's Nov 4 but as of day 1, I did very well and am super motivated. Love you!

[@angelabublitz5912]

770 words yesterday. Not benchmark, but not zero! And 255 words so far today.

[@ingridprivette6543]

Cabin, go to the cabin!

[@bethfarmer4040]

I'm not writing anything, but I always look forward to following you in November. It's uplifting somehow. Thanks for the vlogs!!

[@J.Hawthorn]

So excited for nano this year! I'm working on a project that's been knocking about in my head for while now. Always dreamed of writing that big fantasy novel, and dang it! We're going to do it! ❤

[@kwalton7690]

It would be cool to be in a cabin in the woods since it relates to your book, HOWEVER, whenever I am alone I start thinking about films like Scream and the Ghostface killer and it messes with me so if you think it would be a bigger distraction do something else :)

[@SamanthaLovedaywrites]

Working on a draft 1 of a romance novel! It’s technically a rewrite of a draft that I started back in July and wasn’t happy with. I got 2,056 words in on day 1!

[@ShanaJahsintaWalters]

I'm sure you nailed it.

[@stephaniecarter973]

It’s kicking my butt already 😢😢😢 but we got this!!

[@dawndalton952]

Day one was a bit over 5K, but they were like pulling teeth. I need to get ahead and stay ahead early.

[@authorjdnichols]

scaring yourself by going alone to a cabin in the woods might prompt some incredible writing you wouldn't otherwise consider by going elsewhere or by bringing a girlfriend with you to the woods. happy writing!

[@CaKiZu]

I’ve got 1720 words on the first day and I’m a NaNo Rebel this year, with a goal of 20.000 words or so. 😂

[@CassideeBursch-v7r]

I just wrote my words last night and got 1,672 words

[@nikkiguerlain]

💗💗💗

[@ingridprivette6543]

Day 1 word# 2131🎉

[@danakaystone]

Nice job❣❣❣

[@SallySueSaywhatagain]

Happy NaNo!!! I'm aiming to finish my Sapphic fantasy romance this month, which needs at least another 50k words to the end. This is my first time trying to write something that could be considered a romance in the genre sense (I tend towards tragic love stories in my most natural state), but what better time to explore a new genre than NaNo, right? (If I say it enough, it'll become true, right?)

[@KinseyTaylor3]

Yay! Happy NanoWrimo! A heartfelt second chance romance. Wish I wasn’t still so under the weather, but I got day one done regardless. Hope everyone started off with a bang💥. Got in 3,159. I could sleep so I was up writing until 2:20 a.m. so another 1,501 done for today. 🩷🩷🩷

[@maryjocampbell6019]

Working on a fresh new novel that I’m obsessed with and thinking about constantly! So excited to be in a joyful writing phase again! No nano this year cause I feel it may kill my vibe . Cheering everyone on! 🎉