NaNoWriMo changed my writing life in 2009 when I wrote the first few thousand words of what eventually became Stone of Fire. Writing a speedy first draft without self-censoring is still what I aim for with my books, and in today’s show I discuss how it can be done with Grant Faulkner.
In the intro, I discuss the potential impact of the UK Brexit decision on traditional publishing, and on indie authors. Plus, my latest book, The Successful Author Mindset, launches this week and will be available in ebook, print, workbook, and audiobook editions.
This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors.
Grant Faulkner is a novelist and flash fiction writer, the Executive Director of NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, and the co-founder of 100WordStory.org.
You can listen above or on iTunes or Stitcher or watch the video here, read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.

* Grant’s origins as a writer and how he got involved with NaNoWriMo.

* The origins of NaNoWriMo.

* Why goals and deadlines work for writers.

* Tips for parents and other busy writers including ‘hunting for time’.

* On the different ways writers prepare for NaNoWriMo.

* Why tracking your wordcount matters.

* The different reasons writers join NaNoWriMo and the social aspects of the event.

* What to do with your writing once NaNoWriMo has ended.

* Details about the Young Writers Program at NaNoWriMo and the work done in classrooms all year long.

* On Camp NaNoWriMo for those who can’t do the original in November.

* Writing 100 word stories

You can find all the details about NaNoWriMo and its programs at www.NaNoWriMo.org and Grant at www.GrantFaulkner.com.

Transcript of Interview with Grant Faulkner
Joanna: Hi, everyone. I’m Joanna Penn from the thecreativepenn.com and today I’m here with Grant Faulkner. Hi, Grant.
Grant: Hey, Joanna. Thanks for having me.
Joanna: Oh, it’s great to have you on the show.
Just a little introduction, Grant is a novelist and flash fiction writer, the executive director of NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month, and the co-founder of 100wordstory.org. And today is going to be very cool.
Grant, start by telling us a bit more about you and your writing background.
Grant: I think I was somehow strangely destined to be a writer. I remember going to bookstores with my parents when I was a kid and I would just go over and stare at the journals and the pens. And they’d lose me but just find me there.