Notes for the New?

1. Have fun. You'll be more productive. And if you're not having fun, stop and think why you are doing this.

2. Work on a different writing project until Nov 1st. It is easier to write 1,667 words each day if you are already in the habit of writing daily.

3. Write or Die ( http://www.drwicked.com/2008/11/write-or-die-20-putting-prod-in.html ) is a great site for when your internal editor is slowing you down too much. It can get me from 50 words in 15 minutes to 500.

4. If you write on computer from more then one location (such as home and work), https://www.google.com/docs is a great site to keep your story all in one place.

5. If you're typing out a list of advice for new people, don't hit the function 5 key. It does bad things to what you have already typed.

6. If you're bogged down at a point in your story, skip to the next scene. If you don't know the next scene, have someone burst in with a gun (or what ever is appropriate for your genre).

7. If you're a plot writer, leave room for discovery. A story in progress can take you to unexpected places. If you are not a plot writing, consider making a loose plot. You can always jump the rails as soon as you like, but a direction of travel may help over come slowdowns.

8. Give some thought to your theme. Just as with your plot, you aren't married to it, but knowing your theme helps set up your obstacles and their resolution.

9. After Nov 1, don't spend so much time on the forums that you neglect your word count.

10. You can check other folk's word count on the nano site. Then try to beat them. Then post your own to brag. When they beat your word count, don't let them get away with it. Use this as a vicious cycle until after 50K.

11. Try to get more then 1,667 words each day. It gives a buffer for those slow days. Or busy days when you don't have as much time to spend on your story.

All good advice Ghostmouse. Here's my additions.

1)
I recommend finding a write-in, especially early. You get to meet new people who are doing the same things you are. And often you'll get some really great ideas or good advice, especially if you are stuck someplace.

Make sure you go to a write-in early in November, first week is best. The write-ins early in the month tend to be more social which gives you the advantage of getting to know people you can approach later on for help or advice. The later write-ins, especially the last week, tend to be more heads-down concentration. Everyone's trying to hit the mark, so they spend their time typing.

I know people who showed up their first write-in the last week of November and found the experience disappointing for just that reason. Don't be offended, we are all feeling the pressure.

2)
I'm a computer programmer and kindof a gadget freak. This means I tend to get distracted with how to do something rather than making myself do it. I once spent 3 hours trying to decide which font looked best for Nanowrimo.

If you are anything like me, skip all the programs and the gadget recommendations. Pick a tool you already know (even a pencil is fine) and spend your energy writing.

3)
Distractions are the enemy. I work best when I either a) take myself out of my house or my work and put myself in a safe, but quite atmosphere where I can minimize distrations, like a library OR b) when I can put myself into a workspace where I've already developed the habit of writing. If you don't already have a proven, habit-inducing workspace, then getting out of the house is your better choice.

-----

Mike

Back in the days when I was a "newbie" (although the word wasn't invented yet when I first started writing, lol), I kept reading and being told by other established writers, these words, "write what you know." It took me a long time to really understand what that meant, basically, research what you don't know until you do know in inside and out. Also, it took me a loooong time to learn that everything going into my novel needed to be researched. Everything from all the many facets of character development to the minutest details of the scenes I created for my characters and plots. This isn't to say you need to spend countless days compiling research on every facet of your story, LOL, but doing a lot more than no research will up the chances that a reader will believe your story, and that's at the heart of any good piece of fiction---believability.

I love all of the advice already given, and I second every last bit.

Especially the suggestion for the write-ins. I went last year a few times, and I enjoyed it. It was nice to just get out of the house and go somewhere else. Some quick notes (it's 3:20am, so I'm braindead):

1.) Write what you know, and know what you write. As mentioned above, do enough research to understand the world you will be writing in, and if you're making up a world, set up a basic system for things like government, religion, and whatever else might come into play, for consistencies sake.

2.) But don't research overmuch. If you throw your heart and soul into the research process, you will burn out, especially if this is your first year doing NaNoWriMo. Leave the little things for later! (Last year, I found myself in a write-in looking up when scissors were invented, to make sure that they were around for use in my story.)(They were.)

3.) I highly suggest Chris Baty's suggestion in his book, to write two lists. The first list is a list of things you love to see in fiction, the second is a list of things you hate to see in fiction. It's interesting to see what you'll come up with, and if you hit a slow, sluggish place in your writing, it could help with ideas.

4.) Find some fantastic quotes that you love to help you stay inspired. Quote books are even better. ;)

5.) Life is inspiration in its rawest form. Look around you, and you'll be amazed at the material for books, especially fans of writing/reading the Slice of Life genre. (Which I am.) There are flowers, a cat, pillows, vacuum cleaner, rocking chair, afghans, video games...! All of those I saw in a glance around my living room. All of those could easily be put into a story. And for pre-technology stories, instead of vacuums, brooms. Instead of video games, a sport from your time period/era, tennis, kickball, what have you.

6.) Don't forget to breathe.

7.) If you feel pain in your wrists/fingers/forearms, stop. Take ibuprofen/advil, get some ice and ice your hand/arm/wrist down, then put heat on it. Soak it in hot water if you have to. You can even watch TV for a few minutes while doing so. Then return to your writing.

8.) Get enough rest and eat well. Flu season is upon us, and this year, we have the H1N1 to worry about, too. So be careful about burning yourself out and making yourself more likely to catch something going around.

9.) Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask someone for help with your story. Sometimes just talking about it will help push you forward in your writing.

10.) Get into the forums the moment you hit 50k to tell us all about your wonderful journey there!

You're a snap-snapdragon,
Clamped down tight on me.

great advice! I am one of the newbies who needs it, so thanks for sharing it!

first timer, wish me luck!

resolutetwig.blogspot.com

I appreciate all of the comments made on this topic. Especially the comment about researching. I love to do research and one bit of new information leads to another and another and another. Before I know it the day has been spent on researching.

During NaNo I always keep a pen and paper handy to jot down little things that come to mind while I'm out and away from my computer. I have lots to type up at the end of the day and it gets me going even when I'm tired.

I use yWriter5 as my program. It's my first year with it and I am in love! When I get blocked I can just create a new scene and start over, fill in the blanks on my characters or switch perspectives, then later it's super easy to rearrange and play with.

Find your pace. There is comfort in consistency. I like to type things up later, with a candle burning, a good pair of socks and a cup of tea. find a specific chair, mix cd, coffee shop, lamp, hoodie or toy that gives you the 'I'm writing now' feeling and get to it!

When you're getting really blocked up or frustrated, WALK AWAY. Go take a shower, do your dishes or watch a tv show. Stop thinking about it and the solution will fall into your lap.

Good luck!

"I was once the self appointed inspector of rain storms and snow storms, and I did my duty faithfully."