How to Prepare the Odds and Ends for NaNoWriMo

Here we are, the last week before National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo or NaNo) begins and the last post of my preparing for NaNo series. I’ll be honest. I didn’t think I would make it to the end with these posts. Whew! They took considerable time to write but were well worth it. Although I’m not using the word count in any of these posts to count towards my NaNo goal, they are a huge part in my overall writing goal for this year. But just because this is the last in this series means I can start slacking now. These small things can add up to save a lot of time later. This is the final push. Remember that each writer has a different process. Some of these tips may work for you while others not so much. There are rarely any absolutes. So, let’s get cracking.

This post is going to cover odds and ends in preparing for NaNoWriMo

In previous posts, I discussed how some writers may use music as inspiration for their stories or as a means to block environmental or background noises. What I didn’t say in those posts is that one should prepare a playlist ahead of time. When I download music, I sort the songs into folders. These folders may not necessarily be the genre of the music, but most times they are. In the same vein, the names of my folders may not be traditional sorting names. For example, I have a folder entitled sports music. Songs in this folder include my alma mater fight song, music about sports, music commonly played at sporting events, or music that remind me of a certain sport. In that folder, I have subfolders for when I want to write a specific type of sports scene. For example, I have a folder entitled aggressive sports. These songs often feature heavy drums, aggressive lyrics, fast beats, etc. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I have calming music. I store about forty-eight percent of my classical music here. (Another forty-eight percent usually ends up in my “weeping” folder, and the remaining two percent end up wherever it lands.). Of course, I can play from the general list, by artist, or from one of my folders. I add and delete music frequently as well as add and delete folders. Sometimes, one song is located in multiple folders or I transfer a song from one folder to another that I feel is more appropriate. This seems like a simple no brainer until something happens. After having to get a new phone, I realized not all of my music transferred as I expected. When I sat to write is when I discovered my playlist was not as it should be. I wasted time that day flipping through songs, and my head never got where it needed to be. Also, when I decided I wanted to write a holiday romance, I didn’t have any holiday music. It took me a while to find the music I wanted and get it downloaded. If your luck is anything like mine, it’s when I’m in a rush that every frigging thing in the world slows down. My internet connection goes slow. I get stopped at every red light. I get behind the one person in the store who has three items and needs a price check on every single item then uses coupons. So, this is a small preparation that can be made that will allow you to make the most of your time.Previously, I mentioned having NaNo snacks. Let’s talk about meals. If you’re a writer who is pressed for writing time, consider what you will be doing for meals during NaNo. Not everyone wants to or can afford eating out each meal for a month. (That actually may be unhealthy in some instances.) But coming home after a long day working a nine-to-five and then having to spend an hour over a hot stove may cut into writing time. If you’re like me, I don’t enjoy some microwave foods. Therefore, maybe this week, do some food preparation for next week. I have one colleague who has signed up for a food delivery service; a.k.a.; Hello Fresh. (He’s been wanting to try it for a while, and this just gives him an excuse.) I can’t say he has a wrong idea here. It does sound appealing. And no, this post is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with Hello Fresh.Explore the NaNo website (and sign up) ahead of time. I mentioned finding writing partners on the NaNo forum, but there is so many other resources on the website. Take advantage of it, and be familiar with these things before beginning. That way, you’re not attempting to write a story and find your way around NaNo. Besides, now is the perfect time to find a writing support group if you haven’t.Writing Space Availability. With COVID rearing its ugly head, many of my favorite home-away-from-home writing places became no-nos or off-limits. Many have reopened, but not all. Some have permanently closed. Others allow no access to public restrooms. Yet, others have become overcrowded. To illustrate, few people sat at the picnic tables at a local park. People mostly walked the along the exercise track or stood at the playground while their children played. Now, because there are so few places to go, the park benches are occupied on every pleasant day. Another business that offers free WiFi is crowded with students who need internet access for virtual school and do not have service at home. Yet, other business has shortened its hours of operation, making my going there a waste. By the time I arrive and set up, it’s closing time. Take this opportunity to learn if your favorite writing haunts have had changes due to the pandemic that would interfere with you writing there.This next tip is solely for writers who are working a series. Take time to review the previous books in the series. One would think the writer would remember details. And in my case, you’d be wrong. It’s not that I don’t remember my stories, it’s that I don’t remember all the final edits. Or sometimes, when I’m writing a minor character, I need to cross check a name to ensure that I haven’t used it for another minor character along the way. I also have to double check spellings of character names. Once, during editing, the spelling of a character’s name was changed (not by me) at printing. This occurred after proofing, and that spelling was not in the proof. No one knows exactly how or why that happened. So, for the remainder of the series, I have to spell his name this way. Furthermore, it’s a way for me to ensure that I have diversity in characters, consistency in settings, and that dialogue isn’t being duplicated. For example, not every character is going to use the same expletive or expression when shocked or upset. Therefore, I’ll review to see what my other characters say and come up with something different. Or maybe a minor character from book one pops up in book four. I may need to remind myself how that character sounds or his/her eye color. Now, if I was a good little planner writer, I would probably have a writing bible where I’d have all the information and backstories of every character. Yeah, that’s not happening for this pantser. However, I do now have a team roster because a few of my readers requested it. They know if they ask, I listen.Writing programs. A lot of writers use Scrivener. I do not—not that I have anything against the software. In fact, I’ve heard only good reviews. It just not my software of choice. There are other writing programs that people use as well, but I specifically mentioned Scrivener because it is one I hear about the most. It’s my understanding that Scrivener, like so many other software programs, has a learning curve. If you will be using new software during NaNo, now is the time to begin familiarizing yourself with it. You don’t need the added hassle of learning new software when you’re already invested in a game of beat the clock. I mean, if you just want to add more of a challenge to the task, go ahead. I won’t be mad at you. But I’m all about living the simple life.Identify what NaNo means to you. Throughout this series, I’ve consistently mentioned the 50,000—word goal because that is what is set. However, I also mentioned that NaNo is flexible. Writers have different reasons and motivations for participating. Not all writers are chasing that 50,000-word novel. I’m not. My target is broader. Is a novel out of the question for me? Not at all. But my focus is to complete writing projects and improve my writing skills by being more writing productive than I have the other months in the year. For me, if done correctly, will exceed the 50,000-word count. That’s what NaNo is for me. What is it for you? What are you hoping to accomplish? What are your goals. Identify these before beginning. Or maybe, you identified them once, but over the course of preparing, they have changed. Are they the same?Compile a list of websites, bloggers, YouTubers, and livestreams with NaNo content. A list of this nature is useful when you require a quick reference or need a question answered. It’s also for those lazy times when you don’t feel like writing notes and decide that you can view the pages when needed. Then, in your absentmindedness, you forget to bookmark the website or can’t remember the person’s name who will be livestreaming. (I may or may not be speaking from personal experience.)Gather calming material. I’m including this one for my bestie who cannot write a word with coffee and scented candles. I can’t writer when I’m cold, so I nearly always have a blanket or sweater when I’m inside some place chilly. Wash all your comfy clothes so you can throw them on before your writing sessions. I watched a video where a writer purchased crystal especially for NaNo. Anything that a writer feels that he/she would serve as inspiration or motivation for writing should be gathered now.If for some reason your research notes are on loose pieces of paper or index cards, be sure they are bound and protected from liquid. I have notes that are now illegible do to getting damp from rain soaking through my backpack. Other pages have torn out over time. Also, use tabs and different color ink to quickly find information. Honestly, my color-coding system makes no sense. I keep promising myself I’ll do better. However, because the information multicolored, I easily can skim pages. It’s not perfect, but it’ll do for a pantser.Finally, keep in mind that NaNo is meant to be fun; so, have fun with it. Don’t stress yourself out to the point that you paralyze your creativity. One hundred percent, NaNo can be stressful and anxiety-provoking if you approach it as an end-all be all. But here’s a fact, many writers start the project with a completed draft and not from scratch. I heard one writer say that she began a NaNo project four years ago, and she plans to edit the draft this year. Another writer stated that she will be continuing her NaNo project from last year. Still another writer indicated that she only achieved to about the midway point of her book in her last NaNo attempt. The last year I attempted NaNo I wrote exactly goose eggs. Every creative thought in my mind shriveled up and hid. It was frustrating. Once that frustration crept in, I was doom. Each day got worse and worse. And that’s not what NaNo is meant to be. That is what led me to taking this approach this year and creating a situation that I’m likely to achieve success. It’ll be hard. I’ll have to invest a great deal of effort, but I’ve identified and eliminated some of the previous obstacles that blocked me from writing. Some writers take a month of prepping. I took two compose this series. These have been like my think-out-loud NaNo therapy.

So, that’s it, folks. Did I miss anything? What are your last-minute prep plans? Let me know what you think I the comments below.

I want to thank each of you for joining me on this preparation journey and hope that these posts have been of some help to you. Which in this series of preparation posts did you find the most helpful. I also would enjoy knowing at the conclusion of NaNo how the experience went for you.

And also, don’t forget to pick up a copy of my new steamy romance, Ice Gladiators, guaranteed to melt the ice. It’s the third book in my sports romance Locker Room Love series.

Taz has problems: a stalled career, a coach threatening to destroy him, a meddling matchmaking roommate, and a thing for his other roommate’s boyfriend. The first three are manageable, but the last… well, that’s complicated. Because as much as Taz is attempting not to notice Liam, Liam is noticing him. Grab your copy of Ice Gladiators at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.

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Missed the first two books in my sports romance series? No frets. Out of the Penalty Box, where it’s one minute in the box or a lifetime, out is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. Visit www.books2read.com/penalty.

Defending the Net can be ordered at www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.

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Locker Room Love is a steamy standalone gay romance/ MM romance series revolving around professional hockey players. Set primarily in the Cajun and Creole bayous of south Louisiana, these love stories have a diverse cast of characters. These sexy athletes are discovering their own voice and the best romance of their lives, even if that isn’t their intention. Find tales of friends to lovers, enemies to loves, billionaires, bad boys, forbidden romance, first times, gay for you, and more. These alpha males are guaranteed to work up a sweat and melt the ice.

For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays (with bonus posts sometimes on Mondays), and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.

If you have any questions or suggestions about this post or any others, feel free to comment below or tweet me at @dolynesaidso. You also can follow me on Instagram at genevivechambleeauthor or search me on Goodreads or Amazon Authors or BookBub.

Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Keep safe.