It’s that time of year! When thousands of writers around the globe pick up pens, dust off their laptops and attempt to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days.
With just hours to go until the writing begins you may find in either one of two groups: the first being those writers that have followed all the Preptober advice, outlined their plot, cleared their schedule and are ready to go. The second group of writers are those who possibly signed up late, are yet to prepare and are now feeling a rising sense of panic as November approaches. This article, my slightly-stressed out future novelist friends, is for you! There is no time to waste so let’s have a look at how you can pull together a last-minute plan to get you across the NaNoWriMo finish line.
Outline your story
Writing quickly is easier when you are working from an outline. Even if you are a panster, having a loose story outline enables you to begin each writing session with an idea of what you are going to write and how you intend to write it. The result is less time wasted on brainstorming and more time writing. This also ensures that you have a plot that works from the outset, rather than finding yourself midway through a manuscript that is going nowhere. You don’t have to know every detail of your story. Simply jot down the key plot points, basic character profiles and the direction you want your story to take. Leave your outline loose enough to develop as you progress.
Plan your writing time
Writing a novel in a month is a major commitment. Consider how you are going to fit writing into your days. Will you write every day? Will you write on the weekends? Do you need a few days off to keep your sanity? You don’t have to write daily to win NaNoWriMo but you do have to write regularly. Make a plan for how you will spread out your word count goals. Be honest with yourself and make your plan realistic. Examine the month for any upcoming commitments. Are there any special events you need to be aware of? Consider when is the best time of day for you to write. Do you enjoy writing first thing in the morning? Or during the quiet of evenings? Could you cut back on television time, social commitments, social media or put pen to paper during your lunch hour? You don’t have to have an uninterrupted afternoon to commit to writing, sometimes it’s about utilizing the small gaps of time we have available. Finally, guard the writing time you have set aside. Think of this time as your gift to yourself and make the most of it.
Eliminate Distractions
Distractions are the death of productive writing time. Give yourself a head start by eliminating any distractions now. Clean up your house. Clear off your to-do list. Stock up on groceries and prepare a few meals in advance. Do whatever you need to do to clear your schedule for the month ahead.
Set up your Writing Space
While your salary and lifestyle might not allow for an idyllic month-long writing retreat in a secluded cabin, you can still set up a dedicated space for your writing. Setting up a space in which to write is part of acknowledging that writing is important to you, and you want to give in space in your life. Find a distraction-free spot where you are unlikely to be interrupted. If you find yourself unable to concentrate at home then try your local library or café. Prepare your workspace before you write by making sure everything you need is on hand and eliminating any possible distractions. Some writers like to begin with a routine or ritual, such as lighting a candle or making a coffee, to get themselves in a productive mindset before starting.
Support
One of the best parts of NaNoWriMo is that you are not alone. Writing can be a solitary pursuit but during November you are joining a global community of writers. NaNoWriMo can be a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow writing buddies. Connect online or in-person through the NaNoWriMo site, Facebook support groups or local events.
Get Mentally Prepared
Writing a novel is a big undertaking and there are going to be days when you simply don’t feel like sitting down to write. Try to approach your writing with a sense of anticipation rather than dread. Writing is a choice and if you look upon it as a gift to yourself then you will find the words are more likely to flow. Struggling to get in the mood? Kick-off your writing session with some freewriting, try a writing sprint, check in with a writing buddy, play some feel-good music or head outside. If you are still feeling resistance it’s time to seek out the cause. What’s holding you back from writing this story? Give yourself a moment to connect with your feelings and confront them. You may never be fully at peace with these fears and doubts but you can continue to write despite them.
Ditch perfection
Accept the fact that you are not going to finish the month with a perfectly written manuscript. NaNoWriMo is about getting that scrappy first draft down and getting it down fast. It’s about establishing a writing habit, exploring half-baked ideas and ignoring your mistakes. Now is not the time to worry about punctuation, grammar and choosing the right words. It’s time to stop censoring yourself and give your inner critic the day off. Get that story written and save the editing and polishing for later. Write fast and keep going!
