Yesterday I posted part one of my Writer’s Guide to NaNoWriMo. This is something that I am sharing with my fellow WriMos in the USA:: New York:: Oswego region and I figured I would share it with all of you on the interwebs as well!
50k!!! That’s a lot of writing! What if I get writer’s block?
We all get writer’s block from time to time, but there are a few things you can do!
- Get your handy-dandy plot ninjas, pluck one out of there and try to work it in to your novel!
- Start a new, completely unrelated scene or chapter or change points of view, you can always fill in the gaps or change things if you decide to revise!
- Take a break and go for a walk— you’d be surprised how much this helps. It gets your blood pumping, and you can think about your novel (or completely unrelated things) for a little while before going back to write.
- Look online— there are plenty of resources to help you!
Should I plan out my whole story?
www.nanotoons.net
If you want to! Plotters outline or plan out aspects of their story before writing— some in a lot of detail, others in little. Pantsers fly by the seat of their pants and just write whatever comes to mind. Plantsers are some combination of the two.
You can do whatever you feel is right for you!
To Pants or to Plan (that is the question)
What do I need to do to participate?
- Go to NaNoWriMo.org, sign up and create your novel
- Select a home region to get updates and pep talks from your local pals!
- Get something to write on or with and get writing!
But I get so distracted!!!
Try to get into a writing routine before NaNoWriMo. If you can’t do it before the month starts, try to go somewhere with little to no distractions. I have my craft room in my house. It doesn’t have a TV and other than yarn in it, it’s pretty damn empty. Coffee shops are great for writing, but sometimes other people’s conversations (which can be great for inspiration) can distract me– or I find myself singing along to the song on the radio instead of writing.
Try to create a distraction-free zone for yourself when you sit down to do your writing for the day.
Word Wars and Word Sprints are great for keeping your focus on your writing as well– they put the pressure on to get words on paper.
I’ve never written a novel before though!
So what! You want to right? Do it then :).
Here are some posts to help you along the way!
NaNo Prep- Creating Your Characters
Reblogged this on Author P.S. Bartlett and commented:
This is great! To the point and down and dirty. We all have to find our own way but that doesn’t mean we can’t use some great pointers or guidelines. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks! I agree that we have to find our own way through the craziness that is writing a novel or story, but it’s fun to see what other people have to say about the process 🙂 Thank you for the reblog!
I think that’s why I liked this post. It gives great advice without feeling like a NanoWrimo manual. You offer an outline where we can fill in the blanks. 🙂
Yay! That’s what I was going for!!! I’m making a hand out of this and part 1 for the WriMos in my region for the kick-off tomorrow 🙂 I hope they like it too.
Great advice! This will be my 5th year doing NaNo and I find it helps me to keep my focus when I read something that is direct and to the point.
Thanks Kat! Good luck with NaNoWriMo. Do you know what genre and such you are writing?
I’m not sure. I usually end up writing YA but I have an idea for a mystery so I guess I have a week to choose.
Reblogged this on Sleepy Book Dragon and commented:
Second half of the guide! Lots of helpful hints and tips here!
Gracias for the reblogs! <3
No problem! The guides are brilliant and very helpful!
Congrats on being ML this year! Great tips you have here and am loving the new (?) look of the site. I can’t believe NaNoWriMo is just a week away!
Hey there! Thank you!
I got a new format for the blog and like to change up the background and such from time to time. Keeps it fun and exciting (for me anyway 😉 )
Are you doing NaNoWriMo this year? I’m so excited for it 🙂
Hoping to although I don’t know whether I’ll have the time/energy for it!. Been a crazy last couple of months!
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
This was really uplifting, which I need to get my even more pumped up for NaNoWriMo! By the way, shall we become buddies on the site?
Glad it pumped you up! I’m amandamarie5187 on the site 🙂 i would love to have you as a writing buddy.
Thank you!! =]