5 Things To Do Before NaNoWriMo Starts
Writers Write is a writing resource. In this post, we write about five things you need to do before NaNoWriMo starts.
When I read Anthony Ehler’s post about NaNoWriMo my first thought was, ‘Oh yes, those crazy people.’ But since then the idea has taken hold. I have seriously started considering it. It does put you under pressure, but for someone who has procrastination issues a deadline does wonders.
I’ve done the maths:
- 50 000 words divided by 21 working days = 2 380 words per day (Working Monday to Friday)
- 50 000 words divided by 30 days = 1 667 words per day (Working every day)
It can be done. The whole idea is just to write, but I find it hard to let go and not know where I am heading. Some people can write like that. I can’t.
5 Things To Do Before NaNoWriMo Starts
So here are five things I am doing before the first of November to get me going. It’ll be my first NaNoWriMo, so I have no idea if it will help.
- I need to figure out who the protagonist and the antagonist are
- I need to know what is going to happen to them
- I need to know where my story starts
- I need to know what kind of story I am telling
- I need to write a rough story timeline
None of this is cast in stone. I write it down in the beginning so that I have something to refer back to when I get lost. I am happy to ignore these if what I am writing is magically working without it, but they will get me going and they may get me back on track. It seems I am going to be one of those crazy people after all. I’ll let you know if it works.
Top Tip: If you want to learn how to write a book, sign up for our online course or join our Writers Write course in Johannesburg.
by Mia Botha
If you enjoyed this post, you will love
This will be my second NaNoWriMo. I “won” last year (got the 50K words) but that story died in revisions.
Most NaNo’ers focus only on the 50K number and let quality slide a bit, but I haven’t been able to let my inner editor remain that silent.
It’s a fun experiment but it’s definitely not for everybody.
Thanks Mia. I will give it a shot at implementing these ideas. Bless you.
It’ll be my first time too, though I’m panicking for ideas.
Thank you Mia! Nice to have a face to go with Writer’s Write. I hope to finish NaNo this time.
This will be my first year as well. I’ve known about it for several years, but have never had the courage or time to do it. This year things are different and I think I’m ready for the challenge. Thanks for your beginning ideas, this is going to be fun. Good luck to all the participants and may your muse be with you!!
Good luck! I have won and lost NaNo over the last several years. My first and third years were the most fun. I have a great idea, and I am trying again this year. The year I had a long outline, and notecards listing the scenes I needed for each chapter was the easiest year to win.
You can do it!
This will be my second Nanowrimo. I did not make it to the end on the first try. I am using Ywriter this year. It’s a free download. The developer is a former Nanowrimo participant.
In Times New Roman 11 pt. that’s only 2 pages per day.
My current project is non-fiction but I intend to use this challenge anyway.
Now, there is a fiction story that is beating on the doors of my head, begging to be let out, but it will have to be patient.
I’ve done NaNoWriMo for several years now. I’ve won just using prompts and writing off the top of my head, actually got several good short stories that way, but this year I am planning. I’ve done some blog posts on it, including a calendar of inspiration and word countdown, which anyone can print out. Good luck!
Here’s the calendar – http://melorajohnson.wordpress.com/2013/09/17/2013-nanowrimo-national-novel-writing-month-calendar/
This is my third attempt and strangely enough three years have passed since my second attempt. I have my antagonist(s), protagonist, and a very rough outline. But, will that be enough to keep me going through the entire month? I hope so.