NaNoWriMo: what is it and can it help you write a novel in a month? And the "busy" excuse. Is it losing its meaning?

Insider News: What is NaNoWriMo? | [Un]reasonably outraged by the “busy” excuse | Audiobook bargain! | Books, TV and movie recommendations | My final event for 2024 | A Festive RomCom Anthology

It’s November. WTF?

I’m not going to be one of those people who says “wow the year has flown / where has the time gone / how can it already be the end of 2024” so I won’t say a thing about it.

October was full of writing and editing for me. Head down, arse in chair, fingers over keyboard, crippling back pain from poor posture yadda yadda yadda. Shoutout to my remedial masseur Trudy who tortures me monthly under the guide of loosening things up. She loosens up my screaming muscle, that’s for sure.

Here’s an early Christmas gift for you or anyone you know who loves an audiobook: $7.99 Audiobook of The Eleventh Floor. Can I also add, the narrator Hannah Fredericksen is top notch (and we know narrators can make or break an audiobook)!

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INSIDER NEWS

Ever heard of “NaNoWriMo”? National November Writing Month. You can find out more about it as well as some tips for success (that I’ve borrowed off others because I’ve never participated!). If you have ever wanted to start that book, that memoir, that amazing idea you had … here’s your green light.

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[UN]REASONABLY OUTRAGED

Each month I’ll bring you what upset me, infuriated me, or just put me in a bad mood.

I understand—things slip through the cracks. Important messages can get buried under a flood of notifications, or a task can be forgotten in the chaos. It happens, and most of us can own up to it with a simple apology. What frustrates me is when people consistently fall back on the “busy” excuse.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

~Books~

I have been deep in an editing cave this month so have not popped my head out to read much of anything aside from my own words. I’m part way through Liane Moriarty’s latest, Here One Moment, and finished None of this is True by Lisa Jewell.

Jewell is the gemstone of thriller authors for good reason—she knows how to tell a suspenseful story. The premise for this one is interesting too: on her 45th birthday, podcaster Alix Summer meets fellow birthday twin Josie Fair, who reveals her desire for change and becomes a potential interview subject. As Alix delves deeper into Josie's unsettling life, she uncovers dark secrets that blur the lines between curiosity and danger. A great read.

~TV~

Shrinking (Apple TV): The second season is out and I absolutely love this show. The humour is fabulous, the characters (even the grumpy ones) are all likeable (or redeemable) in some way. Jessica Williams who plays Gaby is my ultimate favourite but Jason Segel and Harrison Ford are equally great. A little cameo from old mate Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso’s Roy Kent!) was also a surprise. He plays a very different role in this series.

Disclaimer (Apple TV): I will watch anything Cate Blanchett is in. I adore her acting. The blurb of this one says “When an intriguing novel appears at the bedside of a journalist whose career has been built on revealing transgressions, she is horrified to realise she's a key character in a long-buried story, one that exposes her darkest secret.” Beware: There are some pretty raunchy scenes in some of the eps, a little awkward when your young teen walks into the loungeroom and there’s some exposed spice on the screen!

The Menendez Brothers Documentary (Netflix): Note, this is the documentary not the series based on their life. I haven’t watched that and heard it is quite one-sided and not made with permission from the family. No idea if that’s true but the doco is definitely worth a watch. Slow to begin with but then you get into the real (sad) guts of the story and it’s tragic.

Nobody Wants This (Netflix): If you haven’t seen or heard of this then I guess you’ve been in some kind of cave too. I have seen the series and lovingly referred to it as the “Hot Rabbi Show” which I am sure is not kosher, but man oh man, that first kiss. I got all flustered there on the couch. Watch it. It’s feel-good and funny which is what we all need every now and again.

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EVENTS & WORKSHOPS

My very last event for 2024 is happening in a beautiful part of Victoria: Queenscliff. Details below and free bookings here: https://events.grlc.vic.gov.au/event/12022654. If it’s in your ‘hood I’d love to see you there.

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A Festive RomCom?

I’m not one to read much romance but given this is both Christmas-themed and full of short stories from many of my author friends, I bought it and look forward to some festive RomCom energy! If you’re keen for something light and fun, you can buy a digital or print copy here.

See you in December. YIKES.

Over and out. KOx

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