Authors Tools Blog

Joining over 100,000 writers in the challenge to write 50,000 words in 30 days, is a great way to revitalize your writing. National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) brings together writers from all genres and from all over the world.

I have participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) for 5 years. Every year I learn some helpful things from experience and from others WriMos in the forums.

Here are a few things you can do this month to be prepared for the kickoff on November 1.

• Clean off your desk
  • Starting with a clean desk with lessen your distractions.
• Clean out your email inbox
  • A clean inbox will eliminate distractions and allow you to manage your important email better.
• Clean your house
  • House cleaning is one of the first chores to fall in the NaNo frenzy. Clean it now, so you start fresh.
• Enlist the support of your family and friends
  • Let them know that you are going to take November to fulfill your dream of writing a novel (or write another novel). Tell them you love them and will give them more attention in a month. The more people you tell, the more people you’ll have to hold you accountable.
• Cook meals ahead of time or gather up take-out menus
  • Go for quick meals or make other family members responsible for meal preparation. Try one of those “cook meals for a month” systems.
• Start with a new manuscript
  • This is one of the few “rules” of NaNo. There is a good reason for this. If you are writing on a fresh manuscript, you don’t have any time or energy already invested in it. You are free to try new things.
• Be prepared to write anywhere
  • Get a laptop, AlphaSmart, Palm, Pocket PC, or a new notebook. Always have some writing material with you. Be prepared to take advantage of every opportunity to write. You’d be surprised how much writing you can accomplish in 5 and 10 minute increments.
• Check your calendar and mark off non-writing days
  • If you are the one who is responsible for preparing Thanksgiving dinner for your extended family of 20 (or even 5), don’t plan on accomplishing your word count that day, or probably the day before. Assess which days you just won’t be able to reach your quota, then adjust your daily goal keeping in mind the number of non-writing days.
• Plan your rewards
  • Reward yourself for reaching milestones. Choose your rewards carefully. You don’t want to reach the end of November with a new book and 15 extra pounds. Download the new release by your favorite band, allowing yourself to read a couple of chapters of your favorite author’s new release, or buying yourself something special are all great rewards. Check the NaNo forums to find out what rewards other writers use.
• Think about your book
  • Choose the story you will write. You can change in the middle, but it’s more satisfying if you don’t.
• Decide on your style for this book
  • Are you a plotter or a pantser? Do you want to try a different style for this book. NaNo is a great time to try new techniques.
• Write character sketches or interview your characters
  • If you are a plotter, use October to make notes, outlines, and character charts. If you are a pantser, thing about character names. However, I’ve been know to start writing about XXX and YYY.
• Think about turning points and conflict
  • Plotters probably want to outline all the turning points. Pantsers should at least think about the major conflicts, the goal, motivation, and conflict (GMC).
• Write down scene ideas on note cards
  • If you write down scene ideas on note cards, you can rearrange them as the book progresses.
• Collage your book
  • Cut out pictures that remind you of elements of your book. Paste them on poster board, or on note paper, if you want it more portable. Gathering pictures of your characters or setting can spark your creative energy.
• Create as detailed an outline as you want
  • Plotters may want an outline almost as long as the book itself. Pantsers may want to decide on a time period and setting (or not). Do whatever works best for you.
• Do some writing exercises
  • Practice writing to help you get into “writing mode”. Visit the NaNo forums for inspirations and to interact with other writers.
• Send your internal editor on vacation
  • Send your editor away to rest up for the re-writes after NaNo is over.
• Develop a positive attitude
  • Trust in the magic of NaNo.

What are your tips for preparing for NaNoWriMo? Click on comments to leave your suggestions.

Write on,

Lynn Jordan