Podcast
Write Your Damn Novel: A podcast about writing a book in a month
Write Your Damn Novel (formerly How to Win NaNo) is a no-nonsense guide to writing a novel in 30 days. Like it or not November comes every year, but don't you worry — your hosts are here for you! Kristina Horner and Liz Leo are 'writing-50k-words-in-a-month' experts (and lifelong writing friends) with a passion for helping people write their damn novel. Join them each week as they share their personal tips, tricks and other things they've learned over almost two decades of consecutive NaNoWriMo wins.
- Books chart
- #121
- Episodes
- 106
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 22 min
- On air since
- 2019
- Latest episode
- 3 days ago
Episodes
106 episodes, newest first
-
20 min
Everything You Need to Write a Novel (It's Not Much)
Season 8, Episode 7
Show notes
NaNoWriMo has ARRIVED! Is your outline finished? Have you named all your characters? Got the perfect writing playlist ready? No? Good news: you don't actually need most of that.
In this episode, hosts Kristina and Liz share one last pep talk before November, breaking down what you actually need to start writing and what you can figure out along the way. Plus, a look at the latest NaNo 2.0 features, including the new word-count tracker, badges, and more!
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
25 min
The Art of Letting Go
Season 8, Episode 6
Show notes
Sometimes the hardest part of writing a novel isn't figuring out what happens next. It's accepting that the brilliant scene you planned, the character you love, or even the entire story you've been working on just isn't going to work out the way you imagined. And that's okay!
In this episode, hosts Kristina and Liz talk about the art of letting go, from abandoning old projects and beloved ideas to making peace with unexpected changes in your story. They explore the importance of staying flexible, accepting that your creative priorities can change, and recognizing that even the ideas that don't make it into your finished novel still have value.
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
31 min
Tropes We Love: The Reluctant Hero (I didn't sign up for this!)
Season 8, Episode 5
Show notes
Not every hero dreams of saving the world. Some would much rather stay home, mind their own business, and let literally anyone else deal with the impending disaster. But there's something especially compelling about watching a character who wants nothing to do with the adventure end up right in the middle of it.
In this episode, hosts Kristina and Liz dive into one of their favorite storytelling tropes: the reluctant hero. They explore why these characters are so relatable, what makes their journeys satisfying, and how to keep a reluctant protagonist from becoming a passive one. Plus, they share some of their favorite examples from books, movies, and TV, and discuss what writers can learn from characters who never asked to be heroes in the first place.
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
23 min
The Shiny New Idea Dilemma
Season 8, Episode 4
Show notes
Every November brings a familiar dilemma: do you start something brand new, or return to that unfinished novel that's been sitting in your drafts folder since last year (or the year before that)? Starting something new can be exciting, but when you've already got a story you love, it can be surprisingly hard to convince yourself to move on.
In this episode, hosts Kristina and Liz talk about the challenge of choosing a NaNoWriMo project, especially when an old idea is still taking up space in your head. They share their favorite ways to get excited about something new, from making playlists to finding inspiration in books, movies, and TV, plus how the process differs for planners and pantsers. They also discuss why it's worth holding onto old ideas, taking creative risks, and remembering that not every November has to be your best one.
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
19 min
We Tried NaNoWriMo on a Cruise
Season 8, Episode 3
Show notes
After 20 years of NaNoWriMo, Kristina decided her 20th win deserved a slightly bigger celebration. So last November, she brought six friends (including Liz!) on a cruise, where they attempted to balance vacationing, exploring, and, you know, writing an entire novel.
In this episode, hosts Kristina and Liz recap the trip and all the ways they improvised their way through doing NaNoWriMo at sea, from unreliable internet to creative methods of tracking their word counts on the ship. They share what worked, what definitely didn’t, their favorite moments from the cruise, and whether they’d ever try writing a novel at sea again.
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
28 min
Tropes We Love: The Big Twist (It was Earth all along!)
Season 8, Episode 2
Show notes
There’s nothing quite like a twist that makes you want to immediately go back and reread the entire story. But what separates a reveal that makes everything click into place from one that just makes you want to throw the book across the room?
In this episode, hosts Kristina and Liz dig into "The Big Twist", including audience expectations, dramatic irony, planting clues without giving the game away, and how to make readers feel fooled without making them feel cheated. Plus, they talk about some of their favorite twists, the ones that absolutely did not work, and what writers can learn from both.
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
25 min
Season 8: Here we go again!
Season 8, Episode 1
Show notes
We’re back for Season 8! Liz and Kristina catch up on what they’ve been up to since last season, share what’s coming to the podcast this year, and begin the annual tradition of confidently speculating about what they might write this November before immediately changing their minds.
New projects! Big plans! Questionable decisions! It’s good to be back.
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
8 min
Falling behind? Here's a pep talk for you!
Season 7, Episode 11
Show notes
There are only 4 days left... and things might be looking pretty grim. But THERE IS STILL TIME. Our resident come-back queen, Liz Leo, recorded a special espiode today for everyone who needs a gently nudge in the right direction, or perhaps a swift kick in the pants.
Take a moment to listen to her empassioned pep talk, and then get back to work! <3
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
24 min
When the shine wears off and you still have 45,000 words to go
Season 7, Episode 10
Show notes
Okay I'll admit, this episode was supposed to go out a week ago. So pretend every time we talk about the 5k slump, we're actually talking about the... 15k slump.
Either way, being in a writing slump can be tricky, especially when you're starting to realize things aren't working quite as well as you envisioned it and there's so, so many words left to write and should you even call yourself a writer why did you sign UP for this again writing is the worst!? Phew. Breathe. We've all been there. Your hosts Liz and Kristina have got your back.
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
19 min
How to stay focused and block out immediate distractions while writing
Season 7, Episode 9
Show notes
November is here! Are you ready? Too bad, we all have to start writing anyway!
In today's episode, your hosts Kristina and Liz discuss how to buckle down and get words written, despite the many distractions out there vying for your attention.
HAPPY NANOWRIMO, ALL! Best of luck on your stories!
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
21 min
100% Writer-approved novel outlining MAD LIBS!
Season 7, Episode 8
Show notes
There are only 3 days until NaNoWriMo begins! If you're scrambling like we are, we've got a tool that might help: MAD LIBS!
All joking aside - in today's episode, your hosts Kristina and Liz realize the silly outlining mad lib they created is shockingly useful, and might have just helped them stumble upon Liz's next great American novel concept.
Try the madlib for yourself here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQZ40mEEgE9/
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
24 min
Slow burn romance: why we love it
Season 7, Episode 7
Show notes
What exactly makes a romance "slow burn", and why is it having such a moment right now? What makes this trope so appealing? How can you raise the tension and add delicious slow burn romance to your own writing without it feeling like things are dragging?
In today's episode, your hosts Liz and Kristina discuss the craft of writing slow burn romance, why we love it, and which well-know slow burn romances throughout history have most enthralled and inspired us.
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
43 min
Interview with our Discord mods (and the creators of Rough Draft Month)!
Season 7, Episode 6
Show notes
Not only are today's guests Sara and Lucie two of the amazing minds behind the Rough Draft Month challenge, but they're also our Discord mods!
Join us in today's episode as we talk writing, how these two came to be our moderators, and what it's like behind the scenes over at Rough Draft Month! This might be one of our favorite episodes yet.
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
9 min
What is NaNo 2.0???
Season 7, Episode 5
Show notes
Liz is off cruising the Mediterranean, so this week you get ~ solo Kristina ~ talking about a new website making the rounds that we may have had a hand in...
https://nano2.org/ is a community-focused hub for all things NaNoWriMo, created entirely by community volunteers and former staff who left the org way before it started going downhill. The goal is to provide resources and encouragement for current participants, information for new participants, and to highlight all the great NaNo alternatives that have been popping up in the wake of the former program's destruction. Check it out, or don't! It's cool! <3
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
21 min
Writing Confessions (Featuring listener participation by YOU!)
Season 7, Episode 4
Show notes
What's your deepest, darkest writing secret? 👀
This week, your hosts Kristina and Liz tell all, including anonymous submissions from our listeners. Thank you to everyone who shared a writing confession with us... your secret is safe with the Write Your Damn Novel community!
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
20 min
The 10k Day: Can you do it? Should you?
Season 7, Episode 3
Show notes
To some, the idea of writing 10,000 words in a day is a wild fantasy they may only dream of; to others, it's a standard part of NaNoWriMo. What does it really take to write this many words in such a short period of time? Why is it easier for some folks than others?
In today's episode, your hosts Kristina and Liz talk about how to prepare for a 10k day, the mental cost of acheiving one, and whether it's even worth it.
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
20 min
Kristina's 20th novel but mostly KPop Demon Hunters
Season 7, Episode 2
Show notes
It's time for an update with your hosts! In today's episode, we talk about what we've been working on since last season, what we might do for this year's novel, and then basically decide to turn this podcast into a KPop Demon Hunters show.
Also, Kristina is hitting an important milestone this year, so we miiiight have something special planned.
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
12 min
Catching up with Write Your Damn Novel!
Season 7, Episode 1
Show notes
Hey everyone! Your hosts Kristina and Liz are back for SEASON 7 of Write Your Damn Novel, and we're so excited to jump in with ya'll for 2025. In this first episode, let's talk about the elephant in the room: the fact that NaNoWriMo as a non-profit organization is, uh... gone. What does that mean for this year? How do we feel about this? And most importantly: what's coming up this season for the podcast?
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
46 min
Tropes we love & tropes we hate
Season 6, Episode 10
Show notes
Love 'em or hate 'em, tropes are a major part of narrative storytelling. The important thing is understanding them, so you can either use (or avoid!) them to your heart's content.
In today's episode, your hosts Liz and Kristina talk through popular tropes in many different genres of novels and discuss which ones they love, which ones they hate, and most importantly... which ones they love to hate. :)
Thanks to this website for giving us a great springboard for which tropes to discuss! https://kindlepreneur.com/book-tropes/
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress) -
17 min
Oh no I'm behind on my word count
Season 6, Episode 9
Show notes
You know, sometimes it happens. You prepare in whatever way works for you, you carve out time, you buy new fuzzy socks... and you still manage to fall behind.
In today's episode, your hosts Liz and Kristina give you some #realtalk about what to do when your graph is looking bleak. Spoilers: It's going to be okay.
Enjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review!
Follow us on:
Instagram: @writeyourdamnnovel
Threads: @writeyourdamnnovel
Join our Discord server to hang out with a community of writers: https://discord.gg/u92vfhgAYm
Become a Patron and help keep the podcast ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/writeyourdamnnovelWe write books! Check out our anthologies:
Boys, Book Clubs, and Other Bad Ideas
The Mistletoe Paradox
What Happened to Annabell?
(All published by Kristina's publishing company: @84thStreetPress)
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