Advice for Writers Participating in National Novel Writing Month
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November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), when writers from all over the world commit to writing a 50,000-word novel in just 30 days. The event is open to writers of all genres, whether you're working on your first book or your 50th. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the month and come out with a complete (and hopefully good) draft of your novel.
Choose Your Project
Do you know what you want to write? If not, spend a few days brainstorming ideas. Once you have an idea, do some research to make sure it's a project you're excited about so you can complete it in a month. Even if you're not writing a novel, you can still participate in NaNoWriMo with your nonfiction project.
Set Your Goals
Now that you know what you will be writing, decide if you will go for the 50,000-word count or something smaller. Figure out how many words you need to write each day to hit your overall goal, then determine how you will reach that goal.
For example, to hit 50,000 words on November 30th, you need to write 1,667 words per day. Break this into more manageable chunks such as 500 words in the morning, 500 words at lunch, and 667 words before bed. And remember, it's okay if you don't hit your daily word count every day. Some days will be harder than others, and that's okay. Just try to stay on track overall.
You also don't have to write every day. If you are the kind of writer that is more productive when you take days off, factor this into your writing schedule for the month. If you aren't writing for all 30 days in November then you will need to increase your daily word count goal.
Make a Writing Schedule
Now that you know your goals, it's time to make a plan. Determine when and where you will write each day. If you can't carve out large blocks of time, that's okay. Even writing for 20-30 minutes a day can help you reach your goal.
If you have trouble sticking to a schedule, tell someone else about your plans so they can hold you accountable, or find a writing buddy who is also participating in NaNoWriMo. Knowing someone else is counting on you can be a great motivator.
Get Ready to Write
Now it's time to get ready to write. Make sure you have everything you need so you can focus on your novel and not be distracted by things like needing to go to the store for more paper. I've heard of some writers go so far as prepping and freezing all their meals for the month of November so they don't have to stop and do that while they are trying to write.
If you are a pantser (someone who doesn't outline their stories before they write them), that's okay. Just make sure you have a general idea of where you want your story to go. It can be helpful to start with a basic outline or character sketches so you have something to refer back to if you get stuck.
If you are a plotter (or writing nonfiction), create your outline before November 1st hits. Again, it doesn't have to be perfect, but having a road map will help keep you on track during the month.
Just Write
Don't worry about editing as you go. This is not the time for perfectionism! The whole point of NaNoWriMo is to get a complete draft of your novel written, not to write a perfect book. So don't sweat the small stuff and don't stop to edit as you go; just keep writing until you reach the end. You can always go back and revise later.
Take advantage of write-ins and other events. Many writers find it helpful to participate in local NaNoWriMo events, known as "write-ins." These are usually informal gatherings where writers get together for a few hours to work on their novels in community with other writers.
It can be helpful to have some accountability and moral support as you're working on your book. Check the NaNoWriMo website to see if there are any write-ins happening near you. You can often find virtual events as well. Join me and my friend Nicole in The Writing Tribe group on Facebook and post there if you need extra support.
Whether you're a seasoned novelist or someone who's never written more than a short story before, NaNoWriMo can be an enjoyable (and productive) way to spend November. By setting a daily word count goal and taking advantage of resources like write-ins, you'll increase your chances of success and maybe even have some fun along the way. Best of luck!
