So, I don't know about you, but I woke up thinking about NaNo. November isn't November for me. It's NaNoWriMo. People know that I go into hibernation and if I don't respond, it means word count goals haven't been hit for the day. Tomorrow, when people wish me happy Halloween, I will wish them a Happy NaNo eve. And I will stay up til midnight and tap out at LEAST the first paragraph. Yes, I'm that much of a nerd. All of the books on my roster are past NaNo winners.
There are several ways to get ready for NaNo and since this year it starts on a weekend - do yourself a favor - clean the house, do your laundry, get your desk/writing area ready today. Tomorrow, go grocery shopping, cook meals for the next few days, so all you have to do Saturday is shower and write (no, you don't have to shower until you hit the first 1,667).
Make sure you know your characters. At least well enough that they help you write the story a bit. Some times they change up on you in the middle of the story, but when you're working on a time crunch like this, it makes it smoother if you know your characters as much as possible.
If you write with an outline, have that ready. If you don't normally have an outline, it wouldn't hurt to have a loose one handy in case you get stuck. NaNoWriMo has been known to throw curve balls and leave people plot bunniless (is that a word? It is now.). And those of you (us) who stick to a tight outline. Don't be afraid to color outside of the lines. Some of my better scenes were written because of challenges given by MLs.
And there's another tip to NaNo, get on the site and find your region and attend a write in that is in your area. They really help shake the cob webs loose in the middle of the month when writing 1,667 words a day starts to wear on you.
Also, since it starts this weekend, take advantage of the that and try to get ahead so if works or kids or life gets in the way this week, you won't be that behind.
I found an article with tips and last minute checklists that will hopefully help with a smooth start to NaNo 2014:
NaNoWriMo: Quick Preparation Tips and Resources
How It Works
You must produce a 50,000 word piece of fiction, from scratch, by midnight on November 30th. NaNoWriMo works on the honour system.
Pros: No entry fees; forces you to write a lot over a short period of time; you have nothing to lose by entering.
Cons: No prizes, so less motivation; you’ll probably produce writing of questionable quality under such constraints; it’s easy to quit because there are no consequences.
Do the pros outweigh the cons? That’s a decision you’ll have to make for yourself. You can check out the full details
here, or browse
FAQs.
Quick NaNoWriMo Tips
How do you plan to get that book written in such a short time? Here are some tips to keep you on track as you race to the finish line:
- Know why you’re entering. If you’ve got a story itching to get out, do it. If you’re only acting on a whim, you’re likely to fail.
- Talk to your family. Let them know you’re participating in the competition. You’re going to need their understanding if you’ll be pulling out your hair for a month.
- Connect with other writers. Find an accountability partner to help keep you on track.
- Set strict writing hours. Choose a time when you’re sure you won’t have other responsibilities. If you have a day-job, you’ll want to plan to write first thing in the morning or late at night.
- Set a daily word quota. Don’t be tempted to slack one day and try to make up for it the next, unless you have a really good excuse.
- Find a good spot to write. An office, a desk by a window, the kitchen table—wherever you’re comfortable. Make it your space with all the materials you’ll need to write your novel (computer, pens, pencils, lined paper, blank paper, reference books, research, etc.)
- Compost. Spend some time mentally composting your basic premise and characters before the start date so you’re ready to begin on time.
- Outline. Prepare a written outline and character sketches to work from (this is permitted in the official rules).
- Write what you know. Unless you’ve done pre-research for your idea already, choose a story line that won’t require a lot of extra research during the writing stage.
Get the “Read Better, Write Better” Workbook FREE!
By helping you evaluate novels as you read, this 30-page workbook will improve your understanding of what makes them bestsellers—or mediocre shelf-fillers.
Print off your copy of the Read Better, Write Better workbook today. If you deconstruct a novel or two before the end of the October, you’ll increase your chances of writing a worthy NaNoWriMo manuscript—that is, one you’ll want to continue to work with even after the contest is over.
The eBook includes:
- a printable novel study template
- a list of creative reading activities
- an example workbook
- an interactive glossary with links to online resources
Free Online Resources for NaNoWriMo
If you want to write a novel in a month, you’ll need to prepare. Check out the following free resources to help you:
- 5 Resources to Help You Plan your NaNoWriMo Novel, Procrastinating Writers
- 9 Ways to Prepare for NaNoWriMo, Write Anything
- Five Must-Have Resources for Nanowrimo, Web Stuff 4 Writers
- NaNoWriMo Tracker Template and Some Resources, Domestic Joy
- Must-Have Tools for NaNoWriMo, Learn to Write Fiction
Helpful Articles from Write It Sideways
NaNoWriMo Last-Minute Checklist
- Have you officially registered?
- Are you familiar with all the rules?
- Do you have outline notes on key elements of your story?
- Have you completed any necessary research?
- Have you set up a comfortable area in which to work?
- Do you have written evidence of your writing goals for the next 30 days?
- Have you briefed others in your house about what you’re doing?
- Do you have an accountability partner?
- Have you located important resources for your journey (books, helpful websites, writing articles, support forums)?
- Are you stocked with notebooks, pencils, pens, etc. and is your computer free of glitches?
- Have you prepared a selection of things that inspire you (CD’s of favourite music, photographs, novels, etc.)
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