Writer’s Kit: A Code for the Writing Adventurer

We’re getting ready for Camp NaNoWriMo this April! What’s in your writer’s toolkit? Today, Jesus Gutierrez, educator and writer, tells us the four codes that helped him reach new heights during his writing adventures:

So, you decided to embark on the grand adventure of writing? You wish to slay the dreaded 50K+ beast with ideas, dreams, and, most powerful of all, words? You desire to have your name remembered among the other victorious that came before you and to inspire those that come after?

Well, I commend and congratulate you on your valor and virtue, brave wordsmith. You will not be alone in this quest. Indeed, you will find others along your journey to aid you in your mission. They will offer encouragement, wisdom, advice, and a few tools of their trades that have helped them achieve success. As such, this is my provided support, keeping in mind that good preparation is essential to a successful quest. Here are a few tools and tricks that have assisted me in the past:

A Warrior Is as Good as Their Weapons and Skills

Every task requires the right instruments, so what are your preferred implements? Do you enjoy writing stories out on reams of paper? Or perhaps you need the blue shine of a computer screen? Maybe you require the company of a furry companion to relieve tension while you figure out what to do next. Whatever your necessary tools, make sure you have them at the ready when you begin your journey.

Personally, I have my R2D2 thumb drive with me at all times loaded with my current projects for whenever inspiration and opportunity strikes, along with a small Moleskine for quick notes. Also, I like to have a playlist or two available to keep the creative juices going. There’s actually a nice selection of premade lists you might find enjoyable on Spotify.

A Warrior Marches on Their Belly

Perhaps it is a cliché, but a cup of coffee (or tea—your choice) really does help with the whole writing mystique and process. Plus, it can jump start your brain to get you in the writing mood. Having a favorite snack or treat on hand can also be useful to make the writing process seem like less of a slog.

A large cup of coffee and either some cookies or chips are my go to, but I have peculiar tastes. Seriously, I could conquer the world with a bit of drive and an endless supply of Flaming Hot Cheetos.

A Warrior Is Only as Successful as Their Plan of Attack…

Whether it’s making a full outline of your story or noting just a few key bullet points, you would be amazed how much a little bit of pre-planning will help. Figure out what you want to write and try to make a schedule of which days and times you can actually put pen to paper or fingers to keys.

…But No Plan Survives First Contact

Unless you are one of those rare, well-disciplined individuals, you will most likely not meet all your daily goals and probably won’t be able to write or produce every single day. Guess what? That is perfectly okay. It is fine to take a day off, expected or not, when needed. Life happens and not every battle will be won, but as long as you can make progress, victory will be at hand.

I wish I could prescribe an exact path that would guarantee you a win, but unfortunately that is not how it works. Your Camp NaNo Kit is what you make of it and what you need. All that really matters is simply to start and to keep writing. Best of luck, brave wordsmiths.

Jesus Gutierrez is a full time teacher in South Texas working on writing and getting his work published. He loves storytelling and creation in all mediums from literature to film to random web series. He is a coffee connoisseur with an appreciation of tea, and will have endless and thoughtful conversations about almost anything. You can find him on Twitter and here on Tumblr @jeezusgut.

Top photo by Flickr user DesignsbyAshe.