So, it's the last day of November and our final chance to get some words down for this year's nano.
A lot has happened over the past 30 days: the UK has gone into its second lockdown due to Coronavirus, Donald Trump lost the US election, and Christmas trees have started to pop up everywhere (we put ours up yesterday. It's a bit earlier than I'd usually deck my halls, but in your face, shitty 2020).
And as well as all that, writers have collectively tapped out or scribbled down an ENORMOUS amount of words. It doesn't matter if you wrote a handful of words, 50,000 or exceeded the Nanowrimo goal - YOU contributed to that amount. How cool is that?
Anyway, I need to step away from the blog right now, because I've pointed out it's the final day of Nano and I want to get as many words down as I can...
In my time-travel rom com, The 12 Christmases of You & Me, Maisie travels back in time to Christmases of her past, and we're going to travel back with her and find out what was happening during the years she goes back to.
The year 2000 marked not only a new decade but a new millennium. During the year we had a cartoon builder reach number one in the charts, Tom Hanks made friends with a volleyball, and Big Brother began its run in the UK.
Christmas Number One:
Can We Fix It (Bob the Builder)
Big Chart Hits in the UK:
Who Let The Dogs Out (Baha Men)
It Feels so Good (Sonique)
The Real Slim Shady (Eminem)
Rise (Gabrielle)
Pure Shores (All Saints)
Toca's Miracle (Fragma)
Reach (S Club 7)
Rock DJ (Robbie Williams)
I Have a Dream/Seasons In The Sun (Westlife)
Fill Me In (Craig David)
Highest Grossing Films:
Mission: Impossible 2
Gladiator
Cast Away
What Women Want
Dinosaur
Events, Music & TV:
Catherine Hartley and Fiona Thornewill reach the South Pole - a first for British women
Kathy Beale and Ricky Butcher leave Eastenders
A bus crash in Emmerdale kills off character Butch Dingle
The Tate Modern is opened in London
Euro 2000 is co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium
In Cornation Street, thirteen-year-old Sarah Platt gives birth to daughter, Bethany
The UK's version of Big Brother airs on Channel 4, presented by Davina McCall. 'Nasty Nick' Bateman is ejected by the show after attempting to influence who the other contestants vote for. Craig Phillips wins the £70,000 prize
Home and Away airs for the last time on ITV before its move to Channel 5 next year
The Queen's Mother celebrates her 100th birthday
The Weakest Link debuts on BBC Two
Protestors block the entrances to oil refineries due to high fuel prices, which leads to fuel shortages when people start to panic buy
The Slater family arrive in Eastenders
The Olympic Games are held in Sydney, Australia. Great Britain win 11 gold, 10 silver and 7 bronze medals
Emmerdale increases its episodes to five nights a week
Judith Keppel is the first person to win a million pounds on ITV's Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?
Doctors, My Family, Waking the Dead, Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids, At Home with the Braithwaites, and Fat Friends also have their British TV debuts
What if you could go back in time and fix the biggest mistake of your life?
Two years ago, Maisie’s best friend walked out of her life and she hasn’t heard from him since. When she wakes up in 1994, she naturally assumes she’s dreaming. But when she finds herself in the past again the next night and her actions in the dream alter her present-day life, she begins to wonder if she’s somehow hopping back in time. And if she is time-travelling, can she save her friendship with Jonas?
When Maisie is forced to relive Christmases of the past, will she face up to her mistakes, or make them all over again? The 12 Christmases of You & Me is a magical tale of friendship, first loves, and learning to live in the present.
In my time-travel rom com, The 12 Christmases of You & Me, Maisie travels back in time to Christmases of her past, and we're going to travel back with her and find out what was happening during the years she goes back to.
In the final year of the 90s, Britney Spears arrived on our screens in her school uniform and pigtails, Star Wars made a return to the big screen and Haley Joel Osment saw dead people.
Christmas Number One:
I Have a Dream/Seasons in the Sun (Westlife)
Big Chart Hits in the UK:
Baby One More Time (Britney Spears)
Heartbeat/Tragedy (Steps)
Livin' La Vida Loca (Ricky Martin)
Blue (Da Ba Dee) (Eiffel 65)
Mambo No 5 (a Little Bit of...) (Lou Bega)
That Don't Impress Me Much (Shania Twain)
9pm (Till I Come (ATB)
Better Off Alone (Alice Deejay)
The Millennium Prayer (Cliff Richard)
Genie In A Bottle (Christina Aguilera)
Highest Grossing Films:
Star Wars Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace
The Sixth Sense
Toy Story 2
The Matrix
Tarzan
Events, Music & TV:
Macmillan publish Julia Donaldson's The Gruffalo
BBC's Casualty spawns spin-off, Holby City
Kim Tate leaves Emmerdale (and will wait almost 20 years before she returns)
Channel 4 airs Sex and The City for the first time
Russel T. Davies' Manchester-based drama Queer As Folk debuts on Channel 4
Noel's House Party is axed
Minimum wage is introduced to the UK, set at £3.60 for employees over 21, and £3 for those under 21
S Club 7 make their TV debut in Miami 7, a children's series aired on BBC One, which will launch their music career
Richard and Judy host the first British Soap Awards on ITV
Newsreader Trevor McDonald is knighted
Grant Mitchel leaves Eastenders
Wales hosts the 1999 rugby world cup
Roy Walker hosts his final episode of Catchphrase
The London Eye is unveiled
The Millennium Dome officially opens
Gimme Gimme Gimme, Tweenies, DIY SOS, The League of Gentlemen, The Naked Chef, Bad Girls, My Parents Are Aliens, Boyz Unlimited and Shipwrecked also have their British TV debuts
What if you could go back in time and fix the biggest mistake of your life?
Two years ago, Maisie’s best friend walked out of her life and she hasn’t heard from him since. When she wakes up in 1994, she naturally assumes she’s dreaming. But when she finds herself in the past again the next night and her actions in the dream alter her present-day life, she begins to wonder if she’s somehow hopping back in time. And if she is time-travelling, can she save her friendship with Jonas?
When Maisie is forced to relive Christmases of the past, will she face up to her mistakes, or make them all over again? The 12 Christmases of You & Me is a magical tale of friendship, first loves, and learning to live in the present.
On Saturday, I reached 50,000 words of Book 13 and 'won' Nanowrimo 2020. I wasn't expecting to get to my goal with just over a week to spare, but it was a really, really lovely surprise to get there so soon and I can't quite believe I managed to write 50,000 words in such a short space of time.
So what now? Should I collapse (sounds good) or shall I carry on?
I'm going to carry on and aim for a new Nano goal of 60,000 words, which will get me to about three-quarters of the way through the first draft. I have until Monday night to do this, with a planned Zoom write-in with my local Nano writers' group that evening so I'm sure I can do it (and I'm going to give it my best shot even if I don't get there).
In my time-travel rom com, The 12 Christmases of You & Me, Maisie travels back in time to Christmases of her past, and we're going to travel back with her and find out what was happening during the years she goes back to.
1998 was the year when The Spice had their third Christmas number one, B*Witched Irish-jigged their way onto our music channels in double denim, and Blue Peter celebrated their 40th anniversary.
Christmas Number One:
Goodbye (The Spice Girls)
Big Chart Hits in the UK:
My Heart Will Go On (Celine Dion)
Believe (Cher)
It's Like That (Run-DMC vs Jason Nevins)
Never Ever (All Saints)
How Do I Live (LeAnne Rimes)
C'est La Vie (B*Witched)
No Matter What (Boyzone)
Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are) (Pras Michel ft ODB & Mya)
Truly Madly Deeply (Savage Garden)
Feel It (The Tamperer ft Maya)
Highest Grossing Films:
Armageddon
Saving Private Ryan
Godzilla
There's Something About Mary
A Bug's Life
Events, Music & TV:
Brookside reaches its 4,000th episode
Hayley Patterson (later Cropper) arrives on Coronation Street. She is British soap's first transgender character
Japan hosts the Winter Olympics
Sky One debuts animated series South Park
ASBOS are introduced in the UK to try to tackle anti-social behaviour
Deirdre Rachid is jailed on Coronation Street for a crime she didn't commit (she didn't do anything), causing a public 'Free Deirdre' campaign
The Good Friday Agreement is signed
The character of Helen Daniels dies in Neighbours (in the UK. The episode aired in October 1997 in Australia)
Deirdre Rachid is released from prison
Following the UK's win the previous year, the Eurovision Song Contest is held at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham
Geri Halliwell announces she's leaving the Spice Girls
Channel 4 airs So Graham Norton for the first time
The two-pound coin is introduced
SMTV Live, hosted by Ant & Dec and Cat Deeley starts to air on Saturday mornings
Chris Tarrant hosts the first episode of ITV's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Jim Royle and his family make their first appearance on BBC Two
Blue Peter celebrates 40 years on air. Shortly afterwards, presenter Richard Bacon is sacked for reportedly taking cocaine
Matthew Corbett retires from presenting Sooty after 25 years
Robot Wars, Dinner Ladies, Ally McBeal, Bob the Builder, CD:UK and Streetmate also have their British TV debuts
What if you could go back in time and fix the biggest mistake of your life?
Two years ago, Maisie’s best friend walked out of her life and she hasn’t heard from him since. When she wakes up in 1994, she naturally assumes she’s dreaming. But when she finds herself in the past again the next night and her actions in the dream alter her present-day life, she begins to wonder if she’s somehow hopping back in time. And if she is time-travelling, can she save her friendship with Jonas?
When Maisie is forced to relive Christmases of the past, will she face up to her mistakes, or make them all over again? The 12 Christmases of You & Me is a magical tale of friendship, first loves, and learning to live in the present.
We're quickly heading towards the fourth and final week of Nanowrimo - are you ready for the last push?
Since my last Nano blog post, I've taken part in three Zoom get togethers with my local Nanowrimo group, which have really helped to propel me towards my 50,000 words goal.
On Saturday, we had an all-day write-in, from 10am to 4pm (though you could drop in and out as when you liked. Nobody was obligated to stay all day) and we had a mix of writing sessions, book chat and watching author talks together online. When we first started this year's Nano, we weren't sure how the write-ins would work over Zoom, but they've turned into really productive sessions and it doesn't feel a bit weird like I thought it would!
On Tuesday, we had another write-in where I managed to top up the words I'd already written during the day and I achieved a new daily word count Personal Best. I usually hit a bit of a brick wall when I reach 2,000 words (or sometimes even before) so having Nano as a motivator - and especially my writing group - has really pushed me and I managed to leap over the 40,000 words milestone during that session.
Fast-forward a few more days and I'm now at 48,422 words - less than 2,000 away from the 50k goal. In less than a month. I'm shocked and surprised and proud that I've managed to turn a blank page into so many words, and I'm looking forward to shouting it from the rooftops when I reach that 50,000 words very, very soon.
Before I started Nano, I spent a lot of time prepping, and one of my main focuses was getting The Midpoint of the book right. I've struggled with this in the past, even when I've plotted the book out, so I was determined to get it spot on this time. And I think I have!
I plotted out all my chapters and pinpointed the key scenes for the book, and I knew the midpoint should happen around Chapter 21. I was a few chapters out according to my chapter plan, but I wasn't too worried about this (my Midpoint events have ended up 75% into the book before, which takes a lot of editing!) but things started to shift a bit as I started to write. Scenes expanded and new bits got added (as always happens, no matter how much you plot) and guess what? The Midpoint ended up at Chapter 21. I literally couldn't have planned it better!
So I'm really pleased with how the book and Nano are going so far. Fingers crossed the rest goes as well!
How are you getting on with Nano? Let us know in the comments below :)
In my time-travel rom com, The 12 Christmases of You & Me, Maisie travels back in time to Christmases of her past, and we're going to travel back with her and find out what was happening during the years she goes back to.
1997 was the year when Chumbawamba got knocked down (but got up again), Rose wouldn't budge over on that floating door and so Jack died, and Channel 5 was launched in the UK.
Christmas Number One:
Too Much (The Spice Girls)
Big Chart Hits in the UK:
I'll Be Missing You (Puff Daddy & Faith Evans)
Something About The Way You Look Tonight/Candle In The Wind (Elton John)
Barbie Girl (Aqua)
Don't Speak (No Doubt)
Men In Black (Will Smith)
I Believe I Can Fly (R Kelly)
Tubthumping (Chumbawamba)
I Wanna Be The Only One (Eternal ft BeBe Winans)
Where Do You Go (No Mercy)
MmmBop (Hanson)
Highest Grossing Films:
Titanic
Jurassic Park: The Lost World
Men in Black
Tomorrow Never Dies
Air Force One
Events, Music & TV:
Richard Branson attempts to fly around the world by balloon. It doesn't go well and they end up landing in the Algerian desert after 20 hours
Emmerdale increases its episodes from two a week to three, and the soap will celebrate its 25th anniversary later in the year
Chris Evans resigns from Radio 1
A second National Lottery draw is introduced on Wednesdays
The Spice Girls launch Channel 5
Tinky Winky, Dipsy, La-La and Po say 'eh-oh' for the first time as the Teletubbies arrive on our screens
The pilot of Cold Feet airs on ITV
The UK win the Eurovision contest for the first time since 1981 with Katrina and the Waves' 'Love Shine a Light'
Channel 4 airs its 4,000th episode of Countdown
Jonathan Creek debuts on BBC1
The Battersby family descend on Coronation Street
Diana, Princess of Wales is involved in a car accident in Paris and dies from her injuries
A new 50 pence piece is introduced
Konnie Huq joins the Blue Peter team
Spice World: The Movie is released
Celebrity Ready Steady Cook, Vets In Practice, Ground Force, I'm Alan Partridge, Where The Heart Is and Family Affairs also have their British TV debuts
What if you could go back in time and fix the biggest mistake of your life?
Two years ago, Maisie’s best friend walked out of her life and she hasn’t heard from him since. When she wakes up in 1994, she naturally assumes she’s dreaming. But when she finds herself in the past again the next night and her actions in the dream alter her present-day life, she begins to wonder if she’s somehow hopping back in time. And if she is time-travelling, can she save her friendship with Jonas?
When Maisie is forced to relive Christmases of the past, will she face up to her mistakes, or make them all over again? The 12 Christmases of You & Me is a magical tale of friendship, first loves, and learning to live in the present.
In my time-travel rom com, The 12 Christmases of You & Me, Maisie travels back in time to Christmases of her past, and we're going to travel back with her and find out what was happening during the years she goes back to.
1996 was the year of royal divorce, when The Spice Girls burst into the charts, and when Tom Cruise set off on his first impossible mission.
Christmas Number One:
2 Become 1 (The Spice Girls)
Big Chart Hits in the UK:
Killing Me Softly (The Fugees)
Wannabe (The Spice Girls)
Return of the Mack (Mark Morrison)
Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit (Gina G)
Children (Robert Miles)
Mysterious Girl (Peter Andre)
Three Lions (Baddiel & Skinner and The Lightning Seeds)
Spaceman (Babylon Zoo)
Un-Break My Heart (Toni Braxton)
Say You'll Be There (The Spice Girls)
Highest Grossing Films:
Independence Day
Twister
Mission: Impossible
The Rock
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Events, Music & TV:
Gaby Roslin presents her last episode of 'The Big Breakfast' and is replaced by Zoe Ball
Take That announce they are splitting up. A helpline is set up for upset fans
The final episode of ITV's Spitting Image airs
Jarvis Cocker invades the stage while Michael Jackson is performing during the Brit Awards
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson divorce
Coronation Street reaches its 4,000th episode
Fly-on-the-wall documentary Airport debuts on BBC One, depicting every day life at Heathrow
Euro 96 is held in England
The first mammal to be successfully cloned - Dolly the sheep - is born
The Spice Girls emerge with their debut single, 'Wannabe'
The Olympic Games take place in Atlanta, Georgia. Matthew Pinsent and Steve Redgrave win Britain's only gold medals for rowing, men's coxless pair
Prince Charles and Princess Diana divorce
Cadbury become the first company to sponsor Coronation Street after signing a deal with Granada Television
A fourth episode of Coronation Street is added to the weekly schedule, airing on Sundays at 7.30pm
The Spice Girls guest present Top of the Pops on Christmas Day
Ballykissangel, Changing Rooms, TFI Friday, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Caroline in the City also have their British TV debuts.
What if you could go back in time and fix the biggest mistake of your life?
Two years ago, Maisie’s best friend walked out of her life and she hasn’t heard from him since. When she wakes up in 1994, she naturally assumes she’s dreaming. But when she finds herself in the past again the next night and her actions in the dream alter her present-day life, she begins to wonder if she’s somehow hopping back in time. And if she is time-travelling, can she save her friendship with Jonas?
When Maisie is forced to relive Christmases of the past, will she face up to her mistakes, or make them all over again? The 12 Christmases of You & Me is a magical tale of friendship, first loves, and learning to live in the present.
In my time-travel rom com, The 12 Christmases of You & Me, Maisie travels back in time to Christmases of her past, and we're going to travel back with her and find out what was happening during the years she goes back to.
1995 was the year when Robson & Jerome had emerged from Soldier Soldier as a pop duo, Woody and Buzz Lightyear came into our lives and Channel 4 brought us some great telly.
Christmas Number One:
Earth Song (Michael Jackson)
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Big Chart Hits in the UK:
Unchained Melody/(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover (Robson & Jerome)
Gangsta's Paradise (Coolio ft L.V.)
I Believe/Up On The Roof (Robson & Jerome)
Back For Good (Take That)
Think Twice (Celine Dion)
Earth Song (Michael Jackson)
Fairground (Simply Red)
You Are Not Alone (Michael Jackson)
Missing (Todd Terry Club Mix) (Everything But The Girl)
Wonderwall (Oasis)
Highest Grossing Films:
Die Hard with a Vengeance
Toy Story
Apollo 13
Goldeneye
Pocahontas
Events, Music & TV:
Eric Cantona flying-kicks a spectator during a Manchester United vs Crystal Palace match
In Brookside's most viewed episode, Trevor Jordache's body is found buried under the patio
The first The Diary of Bridget Jones column is printed in The Independent
The telephone dialing plan changes in the UK. In most areas a 1 is added to the dialing code after the initial 0, but some areas have a new code
Father Ted,Friends and ER air on Channel 4 for the first time
New licensing laws mean pubs can now stay open all day on Sundays
The National Television Awards are held for the first time, hosted by Eammon Holms
The Disney Channel launches in the UK
Hollyoaks begins airing on Channel 4
Princess Diana is interviewed by Martin Bashir, which is broadcast on the BBC
Pierce Brosnan plays James Bond for the first time in Goldeneye
They Think It's All Over, The Thin Blue Line, The Queen's Nose, Can't Cook Won't Cook, Game On and Band of Gold also have their British TV debuts.
What if you could go back in time and fix the biggest mistake of your life?
Two years ago, Maisie’s best friend walked out of her life and she hasn’t heard from him since. When she wakes up in 1994, she naturally assumes she’s dreaming. But when she finds herself in the past again the next night and her actions in the dream alter her present-day life, she begins to wonder if she’s somehow hopping back in time. And if she is time-travelling, can she save her friendship with Jonas?
When Maisie is forced to relive Christmases of the past, will she face up to her mistakes, or make them all over again? The 12 Christmases of You & Me is a magical tale of friendship, first loves, and learning to live in the present.
