Hello all!

As some of you may know, way back in 2014, I had a go at Nanowrimo  (National Novel Writing Month) a challenge to write 50,000 words in the month of November.  I managed 19,000 words (averaging 633 words a day) which became the beginning of my novel The Landfill Mountains. Not quite 50,000 words, but I was proud of it.

Fast forward to 2018, and the Landfill Mountains stands complete at 90,000 words and about 20 drafts (so far!). I've had short stories and poems published in magazines and collections over that 4 years, and a speculative fiction novella published as an e-book. When I'm not working with young people at York Mind, or hanging out with my partner, I'm spending most of my time exploring publication routes and researching potential agents for the Landfill Mountains.

What I haven't been doing as much of, is actually writing new fiction! So this year I've decided to take on the Nanowrimo challenge again, but taking a different tack. I'm going to try to write as many words of short fiction as I can, producing a few short stories along the way, and track my progress using the Nanowrimo charts. My initial aim is (while far more busy as a Young People's Coordinator now than I ever was as a support worker and theatre urchin back in 2014) to break my record from last year and write 20,000 words- a whole 2 dissertations worth! 

I've decided to do this to raise money for York Mind (inspired by Holly Bilton using music to raise funds for the charity). York Mind provides support for people in York with their mental health, providing 1-1 and groups for people from the age of 8 upwards. Of course, it's also my workplace, and I'm very passionate about our young people's project in particular!