How do YOU gear up for NaNo?

Hey everybody! I haven't posted yet, but have enjoyed reading what everyone has to say. This is my second Nano, and yes I did reach 50K last year. I think my main preparation is making sure everyone knows that whatever they need to tell me, they better say it now. In November I will be unreachable except for emergencies. It seems that is part of the beauty of this process - just taking this month to devote to writing. That being said - I am hoping to socialize with you fellow penguins and join some of the group fun this year which I never managed to do last year. Good luck everybody!

Ah, I love this time of year, with the seasons changing and my desk getting cleaner due to Nano. I always do a big cleaning overhaul before Nano, so I can settle down comfortably and write,,and I gear up on snacks and my fave teas and coffee. And I nervously look at Nov and wonder what upcoming conflicts will keep me from writing this year.....
The last thing is musing over a possible story and Nano potential....

Well, I spend my time locating meeting places, wrestling calendars, asking for favors, photocopying, and trying to keep a dozen balls in the air. I remind my family and friends that I won't exist for practically all of Oct and Nov.

As for book planning, it seems like it's never the same. A couple of years ago, for six weeks before NaNo, I wrote for two hours every morning, figuring out my characters and plot. One year, I wrote a Shakespearean western - so I spent awhile reading "King Lear," stealing the plot outline, and then adjusting it for westernism, realism, and my character's quirks.

The second time I did NaNo, I did no planning at all - I opened an art book on day one and started describing the pictures - a whole story about Germany in 1914 developed out of that. Funny thing is, I'm not sure that any one of those books is better than the others. They'll all got their highs and lows, and they all ended up at about the same degree of completeness. I do feel calmer with some planning, though. This year I had high hopes, but it looks like it's going to be another year like year two.

For me, it's a regular formatting of the laptop in order to remove distractions. Only the most essential software remains in place. I've discovered just how awesome Microsoft OneNote is for developing a story framework and the notebook is rapidly becoming packed with assorted ideas, concepts and information. Later on I'll reorganize my music to highlight the stuff that helps me write. Then it'll be time to start the regular warnings I hand out to friends, family and co-workers. :-)

I suppose the smartest thing to do is going to be going in with a plan, right? While I never claimed to have any of that "smart" stuff, I guess I'll give planning ahead a shot. I'll hate to give up my normal "dive headlong into the abyss" strategy, but I suppose it's about time to rethink that.

1. Coffee. - Lots of coffee.

2. Preparing my writing computer. - I'm going to be investing in a new desktop soon, so I think I'll wipe the old lappy and just use it as a writing notebook. No games, no music, no videos, just word processing! Okay, maybe some music, but only the inspiring sort!

3. Take my girlfriend out for a lovely evening with wine, food, and entertainment. - October 30th may be the last evening she sees me for a very long time.

4. More coffee. - Can't have too much, no matter what my doctor tells me!

5. Transfer my outline to index cards. - This is a new strategy to keep off the writers block. The idea I think I'll be working has a LOT of chapters, so I'll put each chapter idea on an index card and keep them in a little file. If I find myself unable to write for whatever reason, I'll pull a chapter at random and focus on just that one for the day.

6. Stock up on brain food. - I'm not sure if there's any truth to the "brain foods" myth, but it can't hurt. Namely, granola bars, yogurt, tea, coffee, fruit, certain choice alcohols, and lots and lots of Excedrin and Maloxx.

7. Find prime writing locations. - Let's face it, certain locations work better than others for creative function. My computer desk is associated with games, and my bedroom is associated with sleeping, so those two are out. Most coffee shops are too busy or too noisy. My best bet might be my apartment lobby or a nearby library.

8. Tie off any loose ends. - Pay off my bills for the month and all that so I don't worry about forgetting them. Might want to get my will in order as well in case I don't live through this crazy adventure!

9. Keep a story binder. - I spend all day starting at a computer screen, so it might do me good to work off normal paper occasionally. A notebook to bring around with me will serve if I get inspired at a random moment!

10. More coffee. I might be out already!

This year, my routine is different from previous years. Last year, I spent absolutely zero time in October preparing. This year, though, I'm:

1. Ordering a new laptop (I do not plan to make this a habit every year - this just happened to be the year when I decided it would be more cost effective to get a new machine than to replace the video card AND pay someone to figure out why my computer thinks it only has 1/3 of its actual RAM)
2. Searching my pit of a room for my elusive flash drive
3. Outlining my novel like crazy
4. Spending way too much time on the forums

Oh crap! Finding the flash drive! That's one I left off of my list. Good thing you mentioned it, or I'd be in a sorry state when the time came to backup my NaNo. I'm not sure I've had my flash drive out of its hiding place (wherever that is) since last NaNo.

This is my first year, a friend introduced me to the project. As for gearing up, my mp3 play list will get an overhaul, my desk a good sorting, Thanks to TxDot I have a new memory stick. Will stock up on granola bars, flavoured coffee and chocolate. Take time to make an outline and hope I don't panic when November 1st rolls around.

_____________

My routine began with cleaning the apartment. I've moved since last year, so i don't have much space at all. I'm tidying and organizing my little 484 square feet, and then will set up a permanent writing station, that will be devoted to nothing but my laptop and NaNoing gear.

Then I'm setting up a folder and getting a bunch of note cards and colored pens. I'm gonna sketch out my plot and get it all organized - come up with my characers and get all my pre-writing done.

Finally, I'ma get into the habit of going to bed at crazy-o'clock early, so I can get up at Insane-thirty AM (I do my best writing in the wee hours of the morning.

I don't have a set routine, since this is only my second NaNo. Buuuuuuut, here's what I did last year and what I will do again this year:

1. Mainline the forums.
2. Send out a mass email to all and sundry proclaiming my intent to participate and that if they feel like supporting me, words of encouragement are well and good, but not to expect much in return until I drag my broken body and exhausted mind back from the writing frenzy on December 1st.
3. Organize the local write-in that I host.
4. Arrange with my boss to tweak my work schedule so that I can be as involved as humanly possible for the write-ins and all fabulous Penguin events.
5. Make a strong and steadfast vow to not let any impending crises or events, known or unknown, expected or unexpected, thwart my writerly will!

Things I plan on doing this year in addition:

1. CLEANING beforehand and making the boyfriend help KEEP the apartment clean, as I will be completely out of commission for all housekeeply duties.
2. Backing up my stuff. Twice.
3. Laying off the new bad habits to more devote myself to my novel. It's been a rough year.
4. Informing my friends (now that I have a social life) that I will be MIA for 30 days of their lives, wishing them well, and telling me that they can expect to see me in December. If I survive.

Gotta dig out my mascots,

Get a totem for this specific writing project (party stores are great for under $5 wearable or otherwise writing totems, especially at Halloween!),

Read books and webcomics, Play Vid Games, and Relax while I still have some time to do so,

Outline my project like a fiend (yWriter & QuickPlot),

Thorough cleaning of the townhouse (so I can't procrastinate by cleaning in November beyond essential spot checks...let the roommate worry about the rest!),

Bulk grocery shopping for ingredients to meals that take less than 10 mins prep time,

Snag snacks, drinks (hooray for Cafe du Monde chicory!), rewritable disks for backup, nifty pens, pencils, and a good size notebook (for notes or in case of laptop failure), and organize and overburden my mp3 player with good music (This year's project is going to demand goth rock!).

Load up on IBPROFEN, HEATING PADS, and ICE PACKS for sore heads and hands,

Finish fiscal year end work projects so my boss won't fuss when I'm MIA after the standard 40 hour work week (I live in overtime these days),

Bug all of my friends who've expressed interest in Nano into joining the forums and getting prepped themselves,

Give my guy some love and remind him his friends (doing NaNo this year) and I will be back soon!

Question: How are the write-in events usually fixed for extension cords, power strips, and chairs? I figured I'd pick up a set of each (including a travel chair) that can be easily tossed into my laptop bag.

Oooh... now I am curious. What is the nature of the project that demands my preferred type of music?

A vampire population in Austin. Why Austin? The population explosion. The predator follows the food. -cackles-

My routine?

Streamline my laptop that I use for writing. Since it's an Ubuntu drive, I use OpenOffice Writer.

Make my notes on paper, in pencil.

Ensure that I have my Pandora account set up for writing music.

Ensure I have the research points for my work bookmarked under a specific folder (i.e. Wiki, science.com, etc).

Get out of the habit of using backspace and delete. My rules are a matter of public record (they got posted on the interview portion of the main NaNo page last year. Or maybe it was early January this year. I forget.

Start talking up the YWP to all the schools.

And complete the NaNovelist's Friend website overhaul!

Nearly all of our write-ins have electrical outlets available. When I host, (so far I'm down for Sundays at Cafe Caffeine) I always bring an extension cord/power strip. I will also bring these to the midnight write, 12-hour lockdown, Last Chance write-in, and any other events I host. Other hosts may bring extension cords and power strips as well, but if you have one, it wouldn't hurt to bring it along.

Most of our write-ins are in coffee shops and there are usually plenty of chairs. Tuesday nights at Genuine Joes can be crowded, though there are often seats outside. Last year, some folks did not have chairs at the midnight write (but no complaints, and we will try to have more seating this year). The outdoor write-in might find you sitting on the ground, unless you bring something to sit on. When there are special requirements for an event, we'll try to note that in the detailed information about the event.

I guess, the short answer is - if you have it and can bring it - do. We might need it (or not!) Thanks for thinking ahead!

--Attempting (ha ha!) to clean up my office and desk area so I can actually do some writing at home--most of my last two Nano's were written sitting at a table conveniently close to Amy's in the Arboretum between the hours of 9-11pm.

--Trying to clean up laptop drive so there will be room for novel

--Getting notebooks and pencils together.

--Printing out the Elementary Workbook - I'm shepherding my 7yo through the YWP this year.

--Rounding up slow cooker recipes & ingredients so the family won't starve

--Attempt to do some outlining since all I have is a premise right now

--Stock up on coffee, coffee accessories, and ibuprofen

--pre-write client work for November so I can mostly ignore it

--Wish upon a star: This is my 4th NaNo, but my first as a novelist AND full-time employed person. Last year's novel died an early death when I went back to work PT, so I'm a bit wigged...

The first thing, always: Look at the calendar and go, holy crap, it's October?! Already? I come back on the forums and spend days reading the NaNoisms people have found in last year's novels; that gets me in the mindset that I really don't have to take it too seriously. This year I'm finding three different ways to back up, since last year I had two ways to back up and STILL lost ten K when my computer crashed. Stocking up on chocolate-covered espresso beans ($12.78/lb but SO worth it) for my rewards. Cleaning up my area at home a bit so there's a nice comfy nook to curl up in. Stocking up on quarters for the bus to get to write-ins and, alternately, Starbucks. Oh, and also getting back in the NaNo IRC channel. If it still exists. I forgot how to get there. And last but not least, warning everyone that, between writing and nicotine deprivation, death would be preferable to bothering me with my fingers glued to the keyboard. I'm not sure if any of my friends characters are going to survive this year.

1) Realize in a panic that I only have a title, no genre, plot, outline, concept!
2) Look at Maxwell, my beloved AlphaSmart 3000 and ponder whether I can afford a Neo.
3) Try to decide whether, and when, I want to take some vacation time in November.
4) Wonder if maybe I really should give in and get an Ipod.
5) Look at my giant 6-month-old kitten and hope he fits into my NaNo-ing lifestyle.
6) Turn to the Regional Forum for inspiration and nerve-soothing.
7) Start watching for Richard the silent WriMo to appear driving the bus I take every day, as he always shows up right before NaNo starts.

The all-NaNo chat may be found under "Fun Stuff." (Beware the stuff in Fun Stuff! Do not become addicted! Must write! Must write!) You will need to accept the whatever it is it asks you to accept in order to use the chat.

We are also looking at having an Austin chat this year, with emphasis at the moment on looking at. Have fun!

Sweet O_O I knew there were a couple of published writers among the fixed route drivers, but I didn't know there were any WriMos specifically.

chasingtwilight23,

I have never before written the word 'cackles,' but now I intend to get it into my novel. What a good word!

Dale

Reminds me that I have to buy new music for my iPod...

COFFEE!!!!

Coffeehouses will be my second home. I can't write at my house because I won't end up doing anything.

I still have to do my yoga.

Oh goodness, no kidding! The dishes and the laundry and that overgrown tree in the back yard will all call me, and next thing you know there goes my writing window, and that's that.
You know, like last year? *heh*

My gear-up... Sleep! Because I know I won't be doing it in November. And I try to get out as much as possible, during the month; somehow just going places keeps me from that tunnel-vision of staring at the computer all day, and gives me all sorts of little source material to boot. One year, three separate scenes' landscapes came out of Wild Basin.

" ... but what the hell, I'm not Salinger or Pynchon. I can't be. I'm here.
-- Guy Gavriel Kay

First, I put on my writing jacket with the suede elbow patches. Next, I clear my dining room table and take out my Sholes and Glidden typewriter and make sure all the letter keys are clean and in working order. I also have an impressive stack of erasable bond paper and a plentiful supply of inked fabric ribbons at my disposal. I will forgo the correction fluid for the good of my Lushguin teammates. And I will be off!

Lucy

P.S. And don't forget to have a good supply of carbon paper to make a backup copy of your novel!

I do a Plot Hill ( does anyone else know what this is? ), and then with certain scenes that are super important I write bullet points of things that happen.
I also write a 'Things to remember' sheet. Kind of like. . .

"Glory and Jin don't fall in love until much later. They dislike each other at first.
Glory does not want to die.
Jin does not tell people they are important to him."

Things I'm scared of doing in the story, but that I shouldn't. You know? And them some exorcises, like a dialog or a scene that isn't in the novel, just to see what the characters do.

And I treat myself to a new mug. :)

EDIT: Oh! I forgot, but I'm going on a camping trip the week before NaNo starts. I'm actually getting back on the 31st, and so the next day, NaNo starts! Goodness, I totally forgot. I guess this year I will be centering myself in nature, and contemplating what goes on in my novel? I won't have any technology with me, so I can bring a notebook to write in I suppose, to do my exorcises.

Slightly off topic, but where do you find your ribbons? I'll probably be wanting extras this Novermber for my Underwood and can't remember where I bought them last time. Google could probably answer for me, but I like personal recommendations.

This year I'm being promoted at the beginning of November so I'm getting all of the paperwork for that out of the way as early as possible. I also went and bought nifty stickers to decorate my laptop, since we're going to become best buddies and for when my mind travels (one says "Funny things are everywhere.") I carry a notebook and pen to scribble down ideas as they come. And digging up the old flash drive.

I think that is about all.

wow..some good ideas from other moms; have slowcooker recipes ready..brilliant. Check!
This is my first time actively participating. I have no idea what I'm going to do and considering the time crunch, I should just 'do it' and not worry about the outcome. I've neglected my writing for sooo long (my inner voice is saying quietly 'squeek').. I just need to use this event to get my tooshy into gear and back into the writing habit.

So no pressure baby!! (ok..will try to help with this competition against Maryland so I will be aiming for those 50K words)

Ingrid
South Austin/Oakhill

I go out and buy a 300 page black Five-Star spiral and several ultra-ultra fine point black pens, because I'm so OCD that I can't write if I've got several different colors of ink on a page unless they're different colors for a very specific reason. This year I'm even doing some character sketches in preparation for Nov. 1.