Do you feel that? That magical tingle in the air? It’s not merely the crisp scent of fall or the hoard of fun-sized Halloween candy in your cupboard. It’s the energy of thousands of writers across the land beginning what will be a wild, madcap, month-long writing spree known as National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo.
If you are like me a few years ago, you might have confused NaNoWriMo with those chocolate-y Canadian bar things. It is very different, although delicious in its own way. During NaNoWriMo, participants attempt to write 50 thousand words – the equivalent of a novel – in 30 days. There are plotters – those who outline and prepare, and there are pantsers – those prefer to make it up as they go along, “by the seat of their pants,” if you will. I, personally, am a mix of the two. The goal is not to produce a publishable novel, although that would be pretty cool. Instead, the aim is to challenge yourself to write, every single day, with utter and complete abandon. No editing, no judgment, and no looking back! At least not until Dec. 1.
You need no special qualifications – anyone can register at NaNoWriMo.org. However, as this will be my third year, I’ve found there are a few things that help me get (and stay) in the game:
- Fuzzy socks
- Tea
- Sharpies
- Coffee
- A non-caffeinated beverage to alternate with the tea and coffee – I like coconut water.
- A good sized mug
- Snacks (Look, the Halloween candy isn’t going to eat itself, you know. I throw in some healthy stuff as well.)
- Laptop
- Notebooks
Your personal necessities kit may vary. I also love Write Or Die, freeware that forces you to write a certain number of words within a set time frame or face death. Well, not death – but you can make the settings so that if you don’t hit your word count before time is up, you face bloodcurdling screams or a simulated explosion. It’s pretty awesome.
Other helpful links:
How to Schedule Your NaNoWriMo Writing Time for Success
How To Fast Draft
Write a Terrific Novel (NaNo), Minimize Revisions, & Improve Odds of Finishing AND Publishing
Good luck and happy writing!
Toni Schram
The only thing I’d add to that must-have list are my two little dogs. They take turns snuggling next to me with blankets and my iPad. They center me and believe me, they make out, what will all the petting and cooing directed their way.
Onward through the fog and let’s plan on kicking that 50,000 word goal in the ass!
Nanea Hoffman
I have cats, but I don’t think them sitting on the keyboard while I try to type actually counts as “helping.”
Bonita
Go Toni!!
What ever it takes! And YES!! Kickin it is an awesome feeling!!
Bonita
Hi Nanea! Just a note about NaNoWriMo. Last year I jointed and penned just over 54,000 words on the last day. Yay! Successful!!!
From there after almost a year of edits and rewrites, my memoir just made it onto amazon a few days ago. NaNoWriMo set me up for some tremendous momentum, focus and into the “groove” of writing every morning before work. Some days getting up as early a 5am to get in my word count. A tremendous program!!
Bonita
Nanea Hoffman
Now that is an awesome NaNoWriMo success story. Love it!
Joyful Meditation: The Prodigal Cat
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