Approach-Past experience-etc.

I've never been one for outlining for any of my four novels (NaNo 2008 is going to be my fifth). I have a few scenes in my head, a general idea of where the plot is going, and I try to put it all together so that it makes sense both from a plot standpoint and thematically.

I think part of the reason that approach works so well for me is that I typically write with a theme in mind. The underlying meaning of the story is always in place. In fact, I find I couldn't write a story just to 'tell a story' but instead I have to know why I'm telling this story and what I'd expect a reader to get from it outside of just pure entertainment. Every story has this sort of theme to a greater or lesser extent, but I've found that finding the theme tends to dictate your plot to a degree, as elements all bend around that one threat of thought that makes up the backbone of your story.

That said, I certainly do more planing than most of the "pantsers" (those who fly by the seat of their pants) even if it's nothing approaching the people who outline. I usually know my ending and a few scenes before I even begin, held in my head like goals to strike towards. And so far that's worked out fine for me.

As for reaching 50k? Write every single day. You need to find a time and place that's best for you. Whether it's your favorite coffee shop or at your desk or sitting in a park somewhere, you have to carve out a place and time where your mind is used to the habit of writing. Maybe write something else, a short story, the week before NaNo so you adjust to that schedule. The trick is to making sure that it's more comfortable to be writing at that time than not.

1667 or whatever the daily goal is isn't a terribly large number of words. Just know enough of what you need to write that day to hit that point, and sit down and do it. Don't edit, don't get distracted, just keep pushing forward. You'll undoubtedly be displeased with the results, but that's the point. A first draft should be unfulfilling when it comes to content. the goal is only that it's done, that you did it and put the story out there. Everything else is bonus and shouldn't be expected. Editing comes later, don't stop to make it pretty. You have a wave of story to catch and if you miss it, it'll be hard to get back into a rhythm that'll carry you where you want to go.

Writing doesn't require all the mystique that goes with it. Authors moping about failed ideas and struggling with scenes. It's all well and good, but in the end you just have to sit down and hammer out 1667 words a day. When you're done, looking back at the accomplishment, then you can see what works and what doesn't. In the thick of things, though, you have only to put the fingers to the keys and let your inner storyteller (the one who thinks up the ideas and knows more about things than you ever will) do their work while you stand aside and try not to get too much in their way, aside from cheering them on now and again.

But then, that's just my experience. In writing, as in all things, your own mileage may vary.

Matthew
literaryrockstar.blogspot.com
"They'd be no threat to me. I have a black belt in Haiku. And a black vest in the cleaners." ~ Tom Robbins, Still Life With Woodpecker

This is my eighth year, and I've finished every one (some with really good word counts and finished novels). I've worked with and without outlines -- but generally I like it with an outline better. Since this is a timed event, I find it far less stressful to have some idea of where the story is going so I don't waste time with the 'what next' stuff. Under normal writing conditions, I could ptu the story aside for a few days if I don't quite see the next step. Can't do that with NaNo!

I also have a free ebook I give away each year for people who are taking part. It has some ideas of how to keep on track and such You can learn about it in this thread:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3001470

The main thing, though, is to make certain you're having fun!

Lazette Gifford
http:/lazette.net
Eight Year NaNo Participant
NaNo Blog: http://zette.blogspot.com/

This will be my 5th year. I really didn't participate last year but I finished the four before that.

I wouldn't call what I have an outline, more like a list of events in order.

I try to pace myself so that I finish before Thanksgiving. Which is usually around 2,200 words per day. This gives me some cusion for any writer's blocks, or getting ill, or family gatherings/unexpected events.

My second year I even pre-scheduled some chiropractic appointments knowing that I'd have some problems with my wrists, neck and back.

Two years ago, even though I finished, I added about 2000 words so that Nebraska could finish ahead of Vermont in the state word count list. We didn't make it, but I actually kept most of the 2000 extra words in the final draft.

I have some basic events, and this year I've had to do a lot of research--but it's doubtful that this year I'll have anything in the way of a formal outline. My brain just doesn't want to function that way. XD

I use notecards and the cards are generally scenes or chapters. I try to assign a feeling to the chapter and keep that in mind when I am writing.

I use a notecard for each main character and add things as I think of them. It also helps me keep names and details straight about my characters.

I try to have my notecards done in October. I am for having 35-40 cards with scene ideas and then I lay them all out on my dining room table on Halloween and put them in order. I fill in cards as needed to make the story flow. Then I keep them in order and put a rubberband around them. That's my "outline." Every night when I sit down to write, I start with a new card.

I write every day during November and keep a writing goal on paper. 1667 words a day. I use Veteran's Day as a catch up if needed (no work and kids are in school) and I either get up and write the morning of Thanksgiving, or I try and get ahead before Thanksgiving. I find it takes me about 1 1/2 hours to write 1667 words, so I can find that just about any day - even Thanksgiving.

I like the note card approach. It reminds me of Nabokov; he wrote all his works on note cards. It just feels like a great way to organize your material in digestible bites.

Though there seem to be a variety of good approaches from the responses so far.

-Jason33

This is my fourth year but I have yet to finish - or even come close to - the 50,000 word count.

I have a great deal of difficulty in schooling my mind to write at specific times, and to not edit! It often feels like I have no time, but I equate that with having a baby. She's two now and I have great hope for this November! I have an outline, I have a couple characters and a good general idea of where I want to go with the story and how the characters intend to take it there.

I'd tentatively say that I'm better at writing by the seat of my pants but considering I've not yet finished a novel, I figure its time to try something new.

I also use note cards for quick reference. All of my main characters have their own cards. I also write down scenes If I think of them, just the bare bones. That way I have a guide to look at but I can still change the idea as needed. Another thing with the note cards is I put signifigant settings on them. Usually just a rough sketch and a few details. After I have them done I plaster a wall in my room with them. I always keep one or two by me at all times just in case I get a sudden flash.

I hope you do well!

You may be tempted to spend the money for the NaNoWriMo "No Plot, No Problem" kit. I would recommend that you save your money and follow the advice you get here instead.

That's all I've got! :)

This is Year 4 for me--and here I am, saying it's Year 3. Sure, I can count! *laughs*

Anyway, I'm going the outline route, which really helped me last year, but I'm going a step even further. Given the nature of my story, I'm also writing "source material"--research papers, press releases, medical theses, communiques, etc. Will most of it be stuff my characters reference? Most likely, though the chances of any of it actually appearing in the story itself are slim to none.

Something I also found helped, which you can do for very little money: grab a calendar (desk calendar or standard, doesn't matter), a pen, and stickers--or some other awesome designator of your choice. A calculator doesn't hurt either, but that's the second step. Each day you write, at the end of the day, take a total word count. Take that total and subtract the previous count to get the number of words you typed. (Counting while you're working is a distraction, but that could just be me.) Have a goal set; each time you exceed that goal, mark it with an awesome designator and get yourself a fresh warm cookie or snack of your choice.

Oh, and also, beware Microsoft Word, Works, or Office; when doing your word count, use WordPad or Notepad to find all the little formatting gimmicks that are otherwise invisible but will tamper with your word count. NaNo's word counter will not acknowledge the formatting, which may well mean you're working with fewer words than the counter says you are in the aforementioned three programs. Using either of the last two as a backup is a safety net. If you're on a Mac, I think there's less formatting involved, but I'm on an older Mac, so my mileage may vary significantly.

Thanx for the info...I use word perfect (I don't know if that falls into the same category as the other three...Though I imagine it would), and I'll be sure to check the word counts on nano, notepad, and wperfect to see what matches up.

I can just imagine what a crushing disaster that would feel like if minutes before the end, frazzled and mentally exhausted, you uploaded and found you were short seven hundred to a thousand words. I...I don't want to even think about it.

-Jason33

No, you don't. I can tell you this because that was what happened to me my first year. I think my hands literally went numb while I slapped together some bunch of nonsense in hoping to meet the word total in time. I did...with seconds to spare. And I hated it. IT brought on the screaming jeebies for a while, but I'm better now. I haven't used WordPerfect in a while, but I would definitely assume it has similarities to the first three and act accordingly; it is far better to be safe than sorry.

Well this is my 3rd year and I haven't finished or even come close to finishing the past two years, so I don't really have any good advice. xD The past couple of days I've just been daydreaming during class about the plot and characters... at least I have a name chosen! I do like the notecard idea; I'll probably use it when I can actually make myself sit down and do it. c: