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

by Kristina Horner & Liz Leo

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Latest episodes

The Art of Letting Go

October 26, 2026 · 25 min

Sometimes the hardest part of writing a novel isn't figuring out what happens next. It's accepting that the brilliant scene you planned, the character you love, or even the entire story you've been working on just isn't going to work out…
Tropes We Love: The Reluctant Hero (I didn't sign up for this!)

October 19, 2026 · 31 min

Not every hero dreams of saving the world. Some would much rather stay home, mind their own business, and let literally anyone else deal with the impending disaster. But there's something especially compelling about watching a character…
The Shiny New Idea Dilemma

October 12, 2026 · 23 min

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…
We Tried NaNoWriMo on a Boat

October 7, 2026 · 19 min

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…
Tropes We Love: The Big Twist (It was Earth all along!)

October 2, 2026 · 28 min

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…

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Season 8: Here we go again!

September 26, 2026 · 25 min

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…
Falling behind? Here's a pep talk for you!

November 27, 2025 · 8 min

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…
When the shine wears off and you still have 45,000 words to go

November 13, 2025 · 24 min

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…
How to stay focused and block out immediate distractions while writing

November 1, 2025 · 19 min

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…
100% Writer-approved novel outlining MAD LIBS!

October 29, 2025 · 21 min

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…
Slow burn romance: why we love it

October 23, 2025 · 24 min

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…
Interview with our Discord mods (and the creators of Rough Draft Month)!

October 15, 2025 · 43 min

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…

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

Write Your Damn Novel (formerly How to Win NaNo) is a no-nonsense guide to writing a novel in 30 days. Like it or not November comes every year, but don't you worry — your hosts are here for you! Kristina Horner and Liz Leo are 'writing-50k-words-in-a-month' experts (and lifelong writing friends) with a passion for helping people write their damn novel. Join them each week as they share their personal tips, tricks and other things they've learned over almost two decades of consecutive NaNoWriMo wins.