NaNoWrimo is right around the corner. Are you ready for it? In this blog post, I’ll take you through prep tips to help you succeed.
But first…
What is NanoWrimo?
NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is a writing challenge that occurs every year throughout the month of November. The goal is to write 50,000 words by November 30th––the minimum length a novel can be.
Ideally, you’re aiming for 1,667 words per day. Consistency is key throughout NanoWrimo and participants need to pace themselves in order to avoid burnout.
That sounds insane. Why bother with NanoWrimo?
You’re 100% right. It does sound insane. And it is a little insane. Writing 50,000 words in a single month might seem impossible, but if there’s a book that you’ve been wanting to write, this is the perfect jumpstart to get you to your goal.
Now, onto the tips!
Tip 1: Figure Out What You Want to Write About
There is nothing worse than staring at a blank page and having no clue what you are going to write about. Jot down a few ideas that you can cling to––interested in adventure lit? Go ahead and write your very own adventure story. Love romance? Set the page on fire with passionate characters.
Write something that you are interested in yourself so that you know you’ll keep coming back for more––and hopefully, your future readers will too!
Tip 2: Make an Outline
An outline doesn’t have to be detailed or down to each and every scene, but it does need to be a map of sorts for you to follow to your final destination. Some people choose to create a chapter-by-chapter outline while others (such as myself) like to figure out the main points of the plot and just go for it from there.
Whatever form of outline you choose, make sure it’s right for you and your writing needs.
Tip 3: Choose Your Characters
Just like Super Smash Brothers, you need to choose your characters. Is your lead going to be the strong, silent type? Or are they going to be a chatterbox who has low self esteem and finds themselves in the end of the story? Who is your villain going to be? Are they horribly misunderstood and redeem themselves in the end by sacrificing themselves for the greater good?
Pick characters that can help carry your story. Get to know them closely, like you’ve been friends for a very long time. They need to be real to you in order to be real to your readers.
Tip 4: Plan Your Time Wisely
I work a full-time job. And I have a husband and a loving but needy border collie who wants to play all day. Throw in normal adult responsibilities, obligations, and duties––and you’re looking at a pretty busy schedule. There are going to be many of you who are like me: swamped with other obligations. You might be looking at NaNoWrimo this year and thinking to yourself, “How in the world am I going to squeeze any time out for this?”
Carving out time and blocking out your calendar for the time that you need to write is key. Look at your normal, everyday schedule. Where are an extra fifteen minutes here and there that you can spare to write your novel?
I plan on writing in the mornings before my day gets completely crazy and I’m pulled to do other things. I can easily sacrifice an hour of sleep (even though I don’t want to) to get this done. It’s just a matter of making sure my alarm is far away from the bed to force myself out from under the covers.
If you find that the morning works for you too, then great! Go ahead and drag yourself out of bed in the morning to get your word count done for the day. If you’re a night owl, feel free to stay up late with some candles to set the mood while you go off into your novel’s world.
Tip 5: Just Write the Darn Thing
Your first draft is going to be crap. Your first draft is always going to be crap. So just write the darn thing. Get the first draft out of the way, ignore the typos, and just keep writing throughout the month of November.
For more tips and tricks, check out this blog post.
Elizabeth Yuen 