Does "No Plot? No Problem!" Actually Help??

I bought a copy of it a few years ago and I LOVE IT. It has a lot of great tips for the month, as well as pep talks, and it's just really entertaining to read overall. I've actually read my copy several times. If you enjoy books about writing (like I do), you'll probably enjoy it too.

NaNo '04: Band is Such a Soap Opera
NaNo '05: Life in the Bubble
NaNo '06: 101 Ways to Kill Your Roomie
NaNo '07: Good Idea at the Time
NaNo '08: Disfunctional Novel
NaNo '09: The Missing

i meant "NO plot" lol

YES! I bombed miserably my first year without it, and Chris Baty's book was the thing that helped me win on my second try (and every year since.) I actually re-read it every year, and it has an honored place on my bookshelf.

It really helps you let go of your inner editor and get over the idea of making it good (that is what held me up the first year - I kept fretting over word choice and getting it just right, but nanowrimo is no time for that sort of thing!) It also helps you pace yourself and talks you through the rough spots (especially week 2, which is notoriously tough terrain.)

Really, I can't praise the book enough. If more people read it I suspect there would be a much lower drop-out rate for nanowrimo.

Anne

"Blank pages can't be edited, but bad prose can."

I never used it as a field guide while I was doing NaNo, mainly because I had Chris coming to my mailbox every week. I did use it in the offseason with mixed success, trying to use it as my NaNoWriMo stuff in the summer months.

So many words, so precious little time.
ML Columbus, Ohio

Try the library. I found a copy in the main branch in Delaware County, where I live. The Columbus Metro or OSU libraries might have it, too. If they don't, a lot of it is on Google Books:

http://books.google.com/books?id=O8aRltYgWsUC&printsec=frontcover&dq=no+...

I've enjoyed it so far. The pep talks you get over email are great, but I think the book has inspired me with a little more confidence.

There's nothing quite like an actual paperback book in your hands, eh?

I survived NaNoWriMo last year without it, but this year I gave in and ordered it. I personally think it was worth every penny. Like others have said, it has nice pep talks in it, Chris Baty has a great sense of humor, and the approach to the entire Write-50k-in-a-Month thing was done with a perfect mix of seriousness and humorousness.

If you make NaNo all "srs bzns", then you might corner yourself. At the very least, it was an entertaining read.

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

This site's so slow that it's driving me nuts. Sorry about the accidental double-post.

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

Very helpful info! So what is the name of this book by Chris Baty? (The NaNo Book?)

You have encouraged me that locking my inner-critic in a storage unit for the month of Nov. was the right choice. (I've been weakening today, but you gave me strength to leave her there.) I'm not missing her AT ALL!

Thanks,
Patti

Patti Mallett

It's called No Plot? No Problem!

Anne

"Blank pages can't be edited, but bad prose can."

Duh. I get it now! Thanks for the reply. (The photo on your bio page is my favorite of all the "P&P's")

"Way to go" on your NaNo history.

Patti Mallett

I just reread the "Week Two" chapter and it really helped remind me of all the perils ahead. I was feeling it and forgot how normal it is to lose traction this far into the game.

So, yes. The book really helped me.

~ Nita

------------------------------
Check out central Ohio's most complete listing of writing events: Write Now Newsletter

2004: Memorial
2008: The Dream
2009: The Dream (O.M.W.F.)