Canadian Gift Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year guys. October is nearly over, which means we’re officially in the six-week stretch before the bulk of your holiday shopping should be done, which means lots of advice on here…and a few giveaways to boot. Want to stay in the loop? Subscribe —–>

November is ALSO NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month if you’re not in the know. Despite the name, NaNoWriMo is actually an international event that challenges aspiring and experienced writers alike to bang out a 50,000 word novel in one short month. The idea? Just write, write, and write. Don’t dwell. Don’t edit. Just get it down. And if it’s not half-bad, consider rewinding and working on developing it into a legitimate book pitch.

If I just scared you to death, never fear. The brains behind NaNoWriMo are here with a most novel idea: putting pen to paper before you get your type on. They’ve released a new book called Ready, Set, Novel! Jam-packed with activities and tips to help novelists new and old develop their characters, plot, and setting in just a couple of short weeks.

Whether it’s used as a bible or simply a brainstorm tool when stuck for inspiration, it’s a steal – just $15, and a perfect ‘just because’ for any friends or family members that love to get their write on. Consider buying up a stack and distributing them to your book club or best friends, and challenge each other to participate. It’s available on Amazon, but check your local bookstore as well. Did I mention how pretty it is? Cause it is. Enjoy!