NaNoWriMo Tip #15: Listen to the Advice of the National Book Awards Nominees

By Dianna Dilworth 

nanowrimoNational Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) launched earlier this month as writers around the globe try to write a 50,000-word novel draft in a single month.

To help the GalleyCat readers taking this challenge, we will be offering NaNoWriMo advice throughout the month. Last year, 341,375 participants wrote a novel in 30 days through the NaNoWriMo program. The writing marathon has generated more than 250 traditionally published novels, according to the organizers.

Our fifteenth tip is: Listen to the Advice of the National Book Awards Nominees. Last night we attended the National Book Awards and caught up with some of the nominees who shared great writing advice with us. We also spoke to E.L. Doctorow who received the 2013 Medal for Distinguished Contributors to American Letters to get his advice for writers. Across the board, everyone agreed that reading is important to good writing.