Preparing for NaNoWriMo
Preparing for NaNoWriMo
A Guide to National Novel Writing Month
Right around the corner from Halloween is an aspiring writer’s fear: starting a novel.
National Novel Writing Month takes place from November 1st through 30th, and it is an opportunity for writers of all backgrounds and experiences to put pen to paper and fingers to keyboard. The goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in a month, an average of 1,667 words per day. 1,667 sounds easy at first, but can seem elusive once the writing commences.
Getting started is sometimes the most difficult part of the writing process. It requires perseverance, preparation, time management, a support system, plenty of tea or coffee, and a plan.
Here are six tips to help you prepare for a successful NaNoWriMo:
Build Your World
What is your genre (fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, sci-fi)? Now, what about this setting compels you? Is there a central government in place? What are the rules and how will they come into play? This is an aspect of the story that will grow and evolve as you write, but it is important to create a place that motivates your description. Draw a map if needed.
My NaNoWriMo project takes place in Elizabethan London, and I have spent over a year and a half on research: what did they eat and wear? where did they sleep? what did they do? My research into professions motivated some intriguing (and macabre) points in the planning process. You don’t always need a year and a half to create a world, but you will need a few hours to start.
If you don’t know your world, how do you expect others to?Meet Your Characters
Who is your main character? How would those around them describe them? If you hit a roadblock, imagine they are taking a few of those BuzzFeed behavioral tests, like Every Person Is a Combination of a Disney Princess and an Avenger. Which two would they be? The development of your character will drive this story. Take time to place them in the world and find what challenges/conflicts the world presents.Draw a Storyline
Establish your inciting incident, turning point, climax, and conclusion. Once you have a light at the end of the tunnel, you can create a path toward that light. The storyline may change, new characters will be introduced, and plot points will pop into your head without notice. All ideas are welcome! However, if you have no foundation, you cannot build the house that is your story.
For my NaNoWriMo project, I decided to use Microsoft Excel. This is mostly because I am a spreadsheet fiend who enjoys planning. Through a spreadsheet, I can make charts for characters (their names, ages, relationships to each other), historical events that are pivotal to my story, and plot points divided into chapters.Start Writing Before November 1st
I cannot stress this enough. The hardest part is the start. Take a whack at the first chapter before November 1st and find your voice. Are you in 1st person or third person? What age group are you writing for? What first few lines would hook your reader’s attention? Experiment to find what works best for you, and once you find something you like, run with it.
In preparation, I’ve written some chapters of my work in progress, and the chapters gave me a boost of confidence to pursue avenues I hadn’t thought of before.Know Your Limits
Life is not flat and routine. It is dynamic, and some days are different than others. You will not write 1,667 words every single day. You may write more. You may write less. But you WROTE, and isn’t that the point? Also, there is Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday), an unpredictable family celebration where an influx of turkey can knock you out for a whole afternoon. Hence, why it is better to write on Thanksgiving morning, but I digress…
Keep track of your progress to know that you are making progress, no matter how small. You can use the handy, dandy tracking tool on the NaNoWriMo website, an Excel spreadsheet (what I tend to use), or a good old fashioned notebook.Let Your Imagination Run Wild
Lastly, DO NOT DELETE. You are creating a draft, not a masterpiece, and there will be days where all you can think is how horrible it is. Those same words could earn a shrug and a “not bad” on another day or a “wow, this is great” on the day after that. The same goes for planning. You may not use 90% of what you’d thought, but it could be that tangent about magic spells or the prospect of living on moons that finds a way into your story.
My NaNoWriMo project started with a question about a certain famous bard and blossomed into something entirely different, fresh, and exciting. Let your curiosity be your guide.
Best of luck in all of your NaNoWriMo projects, whether they end up being novellas or 500 page books. This is one of my favorite times of the year, when the whole writing community joins together, uplifts, and guides one another through this process.
P.S. If you haven’t already, consider acquiring a special notebook for your project, something that excites you. I have a few (pictured on the left). They’re emerald, red, and orange with gold distressing throughout their hard covers. They transport me to a different time and place. I hope you will find some that do the same for you. Happy writing!
My NaNoWriMo progress will be posted on Instagram and Twitter @FrannieDove. Photo credit: @Elle.Mercedes_Photography