Home Podcasts Write Your Damn Novel: A podcast about writing a book in a month
Write Your Damn Novel: A podcast about writing a book in a month

Write Your Damn Novel: A podcast about writing a book in a month

Kristina Horner & Liz Leo 101 Episodes Oct 12, 2026

Write Your Damn Novel (formerly How to Win NaNo) is a no-nonsense guide to writing a novel in 30 days. Hosts Kristina Horner and Liz Leo are longtime writing friends and experts at writing 50,000 words in a month. Each week they share personal tips, tricks, and lessons from nearly two decades of consecutive NaNoWriMo wins. The show aims to help listeners draft their own novel during November or any month.

Episodes

The Shiny New Idea Dilemma
The Shiny New Idea Dilemma Oct 12, 2026 1408 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 abo
We Tried NaNoWriMo on a Cruise
We Tried NaNoWriMo on a Cruise Oct 7, 2026 1126 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
Tropes We Love: The Big Twist (It was Earth all along!)
Tropes We Love: The Big Twist (It was Earth all along!) Oct 2, 2026 1703 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
Season 8: Here we go again!
Season 8: Here we go again! Sep 26, 2026 1479 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.Send us Fan MailSupport the showEnjoy the show
Falling behind? Here's a pep talk for you!
Falling behind? Here's a pep talk for you! Nov 27, 2025 482 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! <3Send us Fan MailSupport the showEnjoy the show?
When the shine wears off and you still have 45,000 words to go
When the shine wears off and you still have 45,000 words to go Nov 13, 2025 1427 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 eve
How to stay focused and block out immediate distractions while writing
How to stay focused and block out immediate distractions while writing Nov 1, 2025 1118 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!Send us Fan MailSupport the showEnjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - l
100% Writer-approved novel outlining MAD LIBS!
100% Writer-approved novel outlining MAD LIBS! Oct 29, 2025 1284 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: 
Slow burn romance: why we love it
Slow burn romance: why we love it Oct 23, 2025 1448 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
Interview with our Discord mods (and the creators of Rough Draft Month)!
Interview with our Discord mods (and the creators of Rough Draft Month)! Oct 15, 2025 2592 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.Send us Fan MailSupport the showEnjoy
What is NaNo 2.0???
What is NaNo 2.0??? Oct 9, 2025 519 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...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 part
Writing Confessions (Featuring listener participation by YOU!)
Writing Confessions (Featuring listener participation by YOU!) Oct 1, 2025 1249 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!Send us Fan MailSupport the showEnjoy the show? Like this episode, give a thumbs up, or better yet - leave a review! Follo

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