#NaNoWriMo Interview: Stephanie Parry Coleman

Is this your first year doing NaNoWriMo?

Yes. I have heard of it, read about it, and wondered in the past if I could do it but never officially participated before.

If yes, why did you decide this was the year?
I participated in the August Camp Nanowrimo and it was a great warm-up practice. It is a lot of work but I figured that if I really want to be a serious author, I need to put some major effort and time into my writing. Nanowrimo provides a great opportunity to kick my writing into high gear.

I did get 50,000 words doing Camp Nanowrimo. It increased my confidence in participating this November. I want to do it again.

If yes, what is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is writing a piece of crap. Obviously many writers worry about producing excellent writing that gets noticed. My concern about trying to do 50,000 words in 30 days was that I would rush and hurry my novel and produce something that is mediocre. I am hoping to combat that by outlining, preparing, and getting my novel's big plot and scenes and characters all mapped out beforehand.

How much preparation do you plan to do before November 1st?
I am currently working on outlining my novel, plotting the storyline and developing all my major characters right now. I don't want to have to wonder or worry about those details while trying to come up with something to write. I want to focus on the story at hand, creating stellar dialogue and description. I want to lead into the next chapters and be able to foreshadow the future as well as keep the reader hooked with cliffhangers.

Got anything you'd like to tell us about this years project?
I'm working on a fiction novel about a teenage girl with Aspergers who is catapulted into instant fame when her savant musical skills are discovered by a bully at her local high school. As she is thrust into the limelight with all of her worst fears before her, she is befriended by a high school boy also with Aspergers who is suspected of stalking and trying to kill her.

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As an English Lit College student and homeschooling mother of 6 kids, I lead a very busy, full life.

I love a good story so I am also a movie buff. Past loves include swing and ballroom dancing and I love jazz and Big Band Music. I was definitely born in the wrong era! I really enjoy reading with my kids and of course my passion is to write any chance that I can.

My writer's blog is stephanieparrycoleman.wordpress.com

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