MIGHTY PEN: Natalie Lockett

Time to celebrate Natalie Lockett, another of our NaNoWriMo winners! Congratulations on getting 50k, lady! So freaking happy for you. Such sweet comments about The Mighty Pens, too <3 Thank you. We are honored that you joined us for this journey. So everybody, check out her interview below, and also if you didn’t get a chance to read and comment on her project, Wicked Girl, check it out!

Interview with a Mighty Pen: Natalie Lockett

What’s one thing that changed in your expectations for your project from November 1 to now?
This project was a palate cleanser after the madness of writing my first book earlier this year. I wanted something with a little less weight to it, a plot line that I could follow with relative ease. That is not what I got out of Wicked Girl. I expected to be nearly done writing it when I hit 50K and as of Nov. 30th it looks like that is actually the halfway point.

What moment in NaNoWriMo18 stands out the most to you?
It’s not really ’18 specific, but the beginning is my favorite. Everyone is so excited for their projects and the community is so full of life and new ideas.

What’s something you’ve learned, or that you’re proud of, from this year’s NaNo?
Sprinting is an amazing thing. I was especially successful with the use of an interval timer. 10 minutes on, 2 minutes off seemed to be my sweet spot. At one point I was writing almost 2000 words an hour. Which for me is impressive because I get really distracted by Twitter and Pinterest.

Any advice for yourself or others for next year’s NaNo, if you’re able to participate again?
Not all advice applies to you and your stage in the writing process. Don’t get so stuck on doing it perfectly or correctly the first time, or even the second time. Impatience is the villain in your writing journey and it will rob you of your creative joy.