10 tips for NaNoWriMo 2017
Being an author entails having a lot of motivation, determination and discipline. Participating in NaNoWriMo takes a great deal of all these on a daily basis. While writing 50K might not be a difficult task for seasoned writers, it can certainly be a challenge when you are trying to accomplish it in a single month under tight deadlines.
I’ve taken part in NaNoWriMo twice and only managed to reach the word count the second time, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t quite make it. There is always next year, and the most important thing is that you are willing to test your limits.
Here are a few tips that I think will help you during NaNoWriMo.
1. Prepare for battle and choose your weapons carefully.
Yes, this is a battle. Against time and against yourself, and like a true warrior you need to prepare and have a strategy. First of all, prepare your workplace. If you don’t have a study or a home office, then choose a quiet nook in your house and make it as comfortable as possible. You will spend a lot of time there during this month, so make sure it is exactly the way you want it. Clear the clutter, air the room, choose a comfy chair and let’s not forget about your weapons.
Notebooks and Pens: Get new ones, and if you are anything like me, get all the colors available.
Computer: Give your screen and keyboard a nice good cleaning before you start writing. It will make you feel better, trust me.
Supplies: Oh yeah, this is a must. When inspiration strikes, you will not want to leave your desk to grab a bite, so bring the bites to you. Cookies or anything else you like must be placed near you and so must a coffee pot or kettle.
Music: If you are like me, then you like to listen to music while writing. Prepare your playlists before you start, and choose songs that can actually help you be focused on what you are doing. You don’t want to stop writing and start dancing, for example (although you do need to have short breaks for exercise, say every 30 minutes).
2. Let’s talk strategy.
If not earlier, then on November 1st, register your novel on NaNoWriMo. Give it a temporary title. You can always change it later, and it will give you more inspiration than a simple “Untitled Project”. Write a description for your novel that can actually work as an outline for you. Don’t try to make this interesting to others. This is not your selling blurb or the time for you to pitch your work to publishers, this is to help you organize your thoughts and plot your book.
If you don’t already have an idea about what story to write, try to think of a title instead of a story. I once wrote a whole book just to match my chosen title.
3. Set a writing time.
This is important. We all have a million other things to do during the day, so choose a suitable time and make sure you inform everyone around you that you are not to be disturbed during that period for any reason. (That includes your furry friends as well, though they might be harder to convince that you need some alone time). Even if you only have 30 minutes available every day, set them as your writing time.
4. Write every day.
In order to reach the 50K word limit, NaNoWriMo suggests writing 1500 words every day. While I know what a thrill it was every time I saw the graph changing color because I made it to 1.5K, I can honestly tell you that there will be days you won’t be able to write that much, for a variety of reasons. Do try to write at least 500 words every day, and even if that much seems difficult one day, it does not matter. Write less that day, but please write something EVERY DAY. You will find yourself writing a lot more than 1500 words on the first few days. That happens to everyone because of the excitement of the contest. Go for it! It will help your overall word count and be a compensation for the days you will be blocked. Keep in mind that as the days go by, the thrill will wear off and stress and panic will appear. This is normal. Relax, your life does not depend on it.
5. Find an encourager.
This can be anyone: a friend, a parent, a sibling, a spouse, the bloke down the boozer. However, you need a person who likes reading and can understand what you are going through. Your encourager’s job will be to check your daily progress and listen to you as you rant about your characters’ antics. Tell them every day how many words you’ve written and hear them say “You’re doing a great job. Keep it up!”
If everyone around you is an “Oh, that thing you do again” type, then by all means tweet me your progress and I’ll praise you for your effort.
6.Reward yourself for every badge you get.
NaNoWriMo is set in milestones so that it is easier for you to track your progress. Remember to add your new word count before midnight every day, and every time you reach another milestone, gift yourself with something you like.
Chocolate always worked for me!
7. Don’t edit! Just write!
Somewhere in the middle of the month, you’ll find yourself wanting to go back and check what you have written so far. Bad move! You will have plenty of time to do that in the coming months. November is for writing only. Push yourself to write more and more, and never look back.
8. Keep notes.
Even if you prefer to write on a computer directly, always keep a notebook beside you. Lots of times you will find your mind racing to scenes ahead while you are writing something. Keep notes so that you don’t forget these ideas. Nothing too long, mind you; you don’t want to stop your flow on the scene you are currently at.
9. Don’t panic!
Most likely you will see the days go by and you falling short of the 50K target. It happened to me too. It actually happens to everyone, especially the first time you take part, so don’t panic. You don’t have to kill your story just to make it to 50K. Yes, I did say that you will have plenty of months following to edit your work but that doesn’t mean that you should do a complete rewrite. Your goal should be to create something worth working on later.
10. Be proud!
Yes, be proud of yourself for taking part in NaNoWriMo because you enjoy writing and you showed the determination it takes to create a book.
Whether you reached the 50K or not this time matters not. Go to the rooftop and shout out: “I am a writer and I am proud of it!”
Don’t worry, the neighbors won’t mind. If you are a writer, they already know you are crazy.
Have a happy writing month, all you wonderful writers!
Catherine Lenderi
Editor
Fiery Seas Publishing
Catherine Lenderi is a former English teacher. After teaching English to Greek students for twenty years, she decided to take her passion for books to the next level and focus entirely on her editing career, which she had started in 2012, alongside with teaching.
She enjoys reading, taking care of her cat and riding her motorcycle. She also drinks a lot of coffee while editing.
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