Is it your dream to write a novel but you just don’t know where to start? Have you written lots of non-fiction but secretly, you'd love to write fiction? In today's interview, I talk to Grant Faulkner about tips for writing a novel in a month, whether that's part of #nanowrimo, or whenever you decide to start. In the intro, I talk about my experiences self-publishing in German, and the challenges of writing travel memoir about Australia on Books and Travel Podcast. Plus, I talk to Orna Ross about Author Branding and IP Licensing on the Ask ALLi podcast. Today's show is sponsored by my own How to Write a Novel course, which I created while writing End of Days, so you get a behind the scenes look at how the book came together. One course member, Jim C says, “The information is outstanding, and it is laid out in the perfect order. It is a roadmap that takes you from self-doubt and confusion to typing The End. More than anything else, it gave me the knowledge and confidence to not only start my novel but also finish it. And then do it again. I am about to start my third book that is now outlined and ready to go. All of this happened after I purchased and studied your course.” Check it out at www.TheCreativePenn.com/learn Grant Faulkner is the Executive Director of NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month. He's also a short story writer, novelist, and author of nonfiction including Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo. You can listen above or on your favorite podcast app or read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below. Show Notes * Why stories matter, even in dark times * Getting started writing fiction, even if you feel you’re not creative. You can follow the journey of my first novel, including NaNoWriMo 2009 here. * Tips on finding the time to write * How NaNoWriMo is an exercise in time management as much as a writing exercise * The power and accountability of writing together with others * Whether to prepare for NaNoWriMo or just wing it * The power of dictating first drafts * Why revision is so important after the first draft is finished 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 Penn: Grant Faulkner is the Executive Director of NaNoWriMo, National Novel Writing Month. He's also a short story writer, novelist, and author of nonfiction including Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo. Welcome back to the show Grant. Grant Faulkner: Hey, Joanna, thanks for having me.