It’s almost that time of year!
For many writers, NaNoWriMo takes over the entirety of November. For those of you who don’t know what NaNoWriMo is, it is the National Novel Writing Month. Basically, writers commit to writing a full-length novel (50,000 words) during the month of November. So, what needs to be done in October to prepare?
Sign Up
If you are planning to do this, then COMMIT. Sign up for NaNoWriMo. It’s free! Most importantly, this is your one-stop shop for everything you need to get started and stay on track.
Find Your Tribe
Next, it’s time to find your people. There are local groups that get together for writing sessions during NaNoWriMo. However, due to COVID-19, in-person get togethers are not recommended. So focus on virtual writing sessions. There are forums available through the NaNoWriMo website.
Outline
Organize your ideas beforehand! Jot down plot points and stakes to develop a timeline. Even if you’re a pantser when it comes to writing, it’s good to have a direction for the story. You don’t need to use every detail.
Develop Characters
Determine who your main characters are, what they look like, their personalities and flaws, and how they get along (or don’t get along). What are their relationships? You need to have a solid foundation for your characters in order to develop the story in a short span of time. Understand your character and their goals, desires, and conflicts. This is SO important.
Create the Scene
Make an inspiration board or aesthetic to get you in the right headspace! Pinterest is great for gathering these images.
Prepare Your Workspace
Tidy things up! Clean your workspace in preparation for a hectic writing month.
Check Things Off Your To-Do List
What are your regular to-do list items? Obviously, there are some tasks that you cannot finish before NaNoWriMo, but do your grocery shopping and cleaning prior to settling in. This will help you to avoid distractions, so you stay on task.
Create Playlists
If you prefer to write with music (like me!), then put together a playlist specifically for writing. Some people prefer instrumental, top 40, indie, or even podcasts. This should be long enough to last the first few days until you settle into the rhythm of writing.
Identify The Stakes
What is driving your story forward? What’s at risk? By the 30,000 word range, most writers begin to lose steam. If you don’t identify your stakes, you can lose track of your story. In fact, knowing the stakes can help you plot out the remainder of the novel. Stakes should be constantly increasing!
Schedule Your Time
When do you prefer to write? Also, when do you have TIME to write? Schedule this into your routine to ensure you fulfill your daily writing obligation.
Get Excited
Now that you have things planned out, you can get PUMPED about your new idea!
