My Tips for NaNoWriMo Success
by Pat Marin
· It’s not require but I suggest pick a genre, have an idea for a story and at least two main characters (three is better) to start—one of each or two protagonists and one antagonist. It makes the task easier. The time I didn’t do this it took me three days before I had my story idea and a second protagonist.
· Write your novel from beginning to end.
· Don’t stop for any reason.
· Need research? Make a note in ALL CAPS or put notes in (brackets).
· You need to write a minimum of 1,666 words per day. Get ahead on word count from the start. It’s easier to write when you’re fresh and excited about your novel. Although it is also easier to let your characters write it themselves after you’ve started. (Remember there are no rules here.)
· Cooking for Thanksgiving? Plan ahead. Make sure that day’s word count is completed before the Thanksgiving Day arrives.
· Need a name for a character and can’t think of one. Write what the person does in CAPS or (brackets), i.e., MISS FRONT DESK PERSON, CLERK IN COFFEE SHOP, EVIDENCE ROOM CLERK, (reporter for the Times). All these titles contain more words than any name you’d waste precious time thinking up or researching for a character and add to your word count. Remember NaNoWriMo is for writing; NaNoEdMo in March is for editing.
· On a personal level, I spend a few days in October planning and cooking meals, play catch up on laundry, visit with friends and family, stock up on food and personal items to avoid shopping trips. Tell everyone you know what you are doing and to please let you have this precious time. You can play catch up on visiting, cleaning, shopping, etc. in December. On a business level, if you’re the type who needs a hardcopy backup, make sure you have an extra ink cartridge.
· If chapters appear in your writing that’s great, if not, don’t worry about it that goes to editing. One year I got teased unmercifully by a colleague because I had chapter one, chapter two and my epilogue. The next year I only had chapter one and the end.
· Run every day’s work through spell check on your computer at the end of the session. Two reasons why I do this; corrects spelling and gives you your word count for the day. I jot mine on my calendar and keep a running total everyday. You feel very guilty if you have to write zero word count for the day.
· Keeps notes while you’re away form your work in progress to add when you have time to sit at your computer. I carry my AlphaSmart everywhere and download before I go to bed at night.
· Don’t let anything stop you. I’ve had to spend four days out of state for a family death, had to take family members for physical therapy, been sick, and scrambled to write 10,000 words in the last three days because I fell behind. You can do this.
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Pat
NaNo 2009 Untitled
NaNo 2008 Witch Nightmare Winner
NaNo 2007 His Halloween Witches Winner
NaNo 2006 Witch in Flames Winner
NaNo 2005 What Witch? Not My Witch! Winner
NaNo 2004 The Odd Cops: Love Undercover Winner
50,689 / 50,000
Okt 31, 2009 - 21 17
I second the motion!
I especially like the idea of letting the characters write the story themselves. I just finished the first 1100 words, and a housekeeper showed up that I had never planned for. She's a nice, chubby farmer's wife (stereotype, I know), but she does provide a foil for the protagonist to work with. Otherwise, it's all him talking to himself. I don;t know why I didn't think of her before. The subconcious takes care of these things only if you let it.
I have a great spreadsheet I use with a trendline set at 1666 words per day. When you're dipping below it, it's major incentive to get above it.
Last hint: write something you believe in and/or like! Last year, I let it run to the 17th before I realized I had hitched myself to a wagon I hated being on. I cut it loose, pushed it over the edge, and chalked it up to experience. Make sure you like your story and character before you get too lost.
When I say like - you don't have to love your character. You can be perfectly appalled by the things this character does. Necrophilia? How gross! But if the character is perfectly evil, you can be horridly fascinated by the character while still grinding out terrific work.
Lastly - go to the writins. You might not get a whole lot of writing done (I never do), but the requirement to explain your tale to others, and let them into your world to comment, is a most amazing jolt to the creative juices.
Good luck!
----------Bill The Computer Guy
Scrivener ordinaire
Participant, 2008. Novel euthanized at 9.7k on Nov 15.
Winner, 2007, Earth is Hell!