NaNoWriMo Prep, Part One: Groundwork
We are slightly less than two months away from November first - and you know what that means.
NaNoWriMo kicks off on November 1st, and for those of you who don't know or aren't sure what that means, it's the month of insanity for writers everywhere, where we all buckle down and try to write fifty thousand words in thirty days. The goal isn't to write a great rough draft, though. It's to get you writing, and not worrying about the quality so much. In other words:
It's a great opportunity for writers to get up and get it done. If you have a novel you've been struggling to finish, a story that you want to tell but haven't started yet, or just need a little nudge in the right direction, I would highly recommend taking the challenge.
The first year I took the challenge I wrote the rough draft of Isomorph, and it was a huge deal for me. It was the longest manuscript I'd ever finished, and I was so proud of myself for not only finishing the rough draft, but finishing the editing, too. And none of that would have happened if I hadn't decided to participate.
But, all that said, if you've never done it before, or haven't ever managed to complete your 50k before, it can be a discouraging, or daunting, task. I'd like to take what I learned over the last three years I've participated (and won) the challenge and pass it on to you so that you can hit that 50k (or more!) too.
Over the next eight weeks I'll be passing on the tips and tricks that I've learned and that have worked for me in the past, so you can get that draft done.
To get you started, you'll need to do a couple of things to set the groundwork for the next eight weeks:
1) Decide what story you're going to work on. If, like me, you have roughly five million ideas bouncing around in your head, it's time to narrow it down. You can't work on all five million at once. Well, I guess you could, but I wouldn't recommend it. (If anyone does this, tell me! I want to know how it goes!)
2) Make a list of the things that regularly keep you from writing. We'll probably go over this particular tip again toward the end of the series as a reminder, but it's important that you have this in mind from the beginning. This is a list of obstacles that you'll encounter on your way to 50k. You need to know how you're going to overcome those so you can get your writing done in spite of them.
3) Take that list and develop a strategy for overcoming each one. Not enough time? Cut out something you normally do to make time (Facebook time, maybe?). Too much noise? Buy earplugs or wear headphones. People disturbing you? Locked rooms are your friends, as are on/off buttons on cellphones. If you're married and have children, arrange a time block where they handle the kids and you're free to write. If you work, lunch breaks. Arrange something to help you overcome every obstacle on your list, and then put it in a prominent place where you can see it. Remember any sacrifices you make, like cutting short Facebook time, is only for thirty days. You don't have to do it for longer than that unless you want to.
4) Make sure you discuss this with significant others and/or family members so they don't wonder if you've died or freak out because you're suddenly not talking to them as much. If you disappear and stop going to social functions, or lock yourself in a room for hours at a time when you didn't before, people are going to notice. And while I like the idea of cultivating a certain mystique as an author, the people closest to you probably will not. So let them know. They might be able to help you with your plans for number three. ;)
5) If you work better with a partner, go find one! Having someone to hold you accountable can help keep you on track. This year, Seth told me that he might be able to participate with me (he's been too busy working the last few years) and I'm excited about that. Last year my writing buddy was my best friend, and we compared wordcounts, challenges with characters and story development, and encouraged each other. You can look for one on the NaNoWriMo forums, or if you're lucky enough to know another writer in person, you can recruit them.
There are a few things to get you started. Next week we'll be kicking off with choosing your genre. There's a lot more to it than at first appears, so stay tuned!
If you'd like to get a jump-start on some of the planning while you wait, you can check out my books on character development, and world building.
NaNoWriMo kicks off on November 1st, and for those of you who don't know or aren't sure what that means, it's the month of insanity for writers everywhere, where we all buckle down and try to write fifty thousand words in thirty days. The goal isn't to write a great rough draft, though. It's to get you writing, and not worrying about the quality so much. In other words:
I'm doing it this year, like I've done for the last three years, and I'm hoping you'll join me!"Stop worrying about how not-perfect you think it is, and get that sucker done. You can always edit later."
— Laurel (@LaurelLevand) September 3, 2016
It's a great opportunity for writers to get up and get it done. If you have a novel you've been struggling to finish, a story that you want to tell but haven't started yet, or just need a little nudge in the right direction, I would highly recommend taking the challenge.
The first year I took the challenge I wrote the rough draft of Isomorph, and it was a huge deal for me. It was the longest manuscript I'd ever finished, and I was so proud of myself for not only finishing the rough draft, but finishing the editing, too. And none of that would have happened if I hadn't decided to participate.
But, all that said, if you've never done it before, or haven't ever managed to complete your 50k before, it can be a discouraging, or daunting, task. I'd like to take what I learned over the last three years I've participated (and won) the challenge and pass it on to you so that you can hit that 50k (or more!) too.
Over the next eight weeks I'll be passing on the tips and tricks that I've learned and that have worked for me in the past, so you can get that draft done.
To get you started, you'll need to do a couple of things to set the groundwork for the next eight weeks:
1) Decide what story you're going to work on. If, like me, you have roughly five million ideas bouncing around in your head, it's time to narrow it down. You can't work on all five million at once. Well, I guess you could, but I wouldn't recommend it. (If anyone does this, tell me! I want to know how it goes!)
2) Make a list of the things that regularly keep you from writing. We'll probably go over this particular tip again toward the end of the series as a reminder, but it's important that you have this in mind from the beginning. This is a list of obstacles that you'll encounter on your way to 50k. You need to know how you're going to overcome those so you can get your writing done in spite of them.
3) Take that list and develop a strategy for overcoming each one. Not enough time? Cut out something you normally do to make time (Facebook time, maybe?). Too much noise? Buy earplugs or wear headphones. People disturbing you? Locked rooms are your friends, as are on/off buttons on cellphones. If you're married and have children, arrange a time block where they handle the kids and you're free to write. If you work, lunch breaks. Arrange something to help you overcome every obstacle on your list, and then put it in a prominent place where you can see it. Remember any sacrifices you make, like cutting short Facebook time, is only for thirty days. You don't have to do it for longer than that unless you want to.
4) Make sure you discuss this with significant others and/or family members so they don't wonder if you've died or freak out because you're suddenly not talking to them as much. If you disappear and stop going to social functions, or lock yourself in a room for hours at a time when you didn't before, people are going to notice. And while I like the idea of cultivating a certain mystique as an author, the people closest to you probably will not. So let them know. They might be able to help you with your plans for number three. ;)
5) If you work better with a partner, go find one! Having someone to hold you accountable can help keep you on track. This year, Seth told me that he might be able to participate with me (he's been too busy working the last few years) and I'm excited about that. Last year my writing buddy was my best friend, and we compared wordcounts, challenges with characters and story development, and encouraged each other. You can look for one on the NaNoWriMo forums, or if you're lucky enough to know another writer in person, you can recruit them.
There are a few things to get you started. Next week we'll be kicking off with choosing your genre. There's a lot more to it than at first appears, so stay tuned!
If you'd like to get a jump-start on some of the planning while you wait, you can check out my books on character development, and world building.
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