#NaNoWriMo Interview: Edward Anderson

Is this your first year doing NaNoWriMo?
  No

How many times have you done it and have you won?
  This is my fourth year entering, I have won 2 years and running so far. It is such a thrill to me.

What is the best tip you can give to a first-time NaNo'er?
  My best advice is to set realistic goals for yourself. My first year I thought I could write all 50,000 words in a day. The last few years I have set a goal of 2,500 words a day. When I get frustrated, I walk away from the story and come back to it.

How much preparation do you plan to do before November 1st?
  This year I have done more prep than normal, since I am writing in a genre that I am not familiar with. In usual circumstances, I know my characters, I know the plot but not much more. I like writing by the seat of my pants.

Got anything you'd like to tell us about this years project?
  I'm doing a cool historical fiction/modern day family drama hybrid about a subject that is sadly neglected by most of us today.

Anything else you'd like to share?
  Research is always key in working on stories or subjects that you are not familiar with, but don't get bogged down by it. Use facts to guide the story but not overwhelm it.

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I've wanted to be a writer since Second Grade, when my teacher told my parents how good I was at it. Shortly after I won my first contest and haven't looked back since. Last year I was laid off from my job and I took my unemployed time, started my website and completed 2 books, which are still in the revision phase. http://www.generationgossip.com/