It is nearly that time of the year again where writers around the world get very stressed. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is in November, when writers write at least 50,000 words in a month. It averages to 1,667 words every day. It is difficult. You may remember that I daily-blogged Camp NaNo and that went... well you can read how that went.
I was talking to a friend today about NaNo, and I decided to write this because sometimes we all need a little extra help.
Firstly, get your playlist sorted. This is going to become the background noise to your stress and creation, so it needs to happen before you start writing. That way you will be less tempted to use it as a procrastination excuse. Also work out how you are going to write - will it be pen and paper, or in Word, or an app? How will you save your progress and count your words?
Work out what your area is going to be like. If it is a library or public space, how often do they open and for how long? Have a backup option, no matter what your area is; if it is a public space like a library, they might be too busy one day, or your own home might be too noisy for you to focus. Have a Plan B.
Your narrator is going to have to become your best friend for all of November, so get to know them. Whether you are working with several narrators, first person, third, or even second, make sure you are familiar with them. It is perfectly fine to change all aspects of your NaNo project, including narrator. It is your project, and yours alone.
Whether you are a planner or a pantser, a gardener or an architect, let me know how you get on with NaNo. I won't be taking part this year because I have other commitments, but I would love to be updated.
See you next Tuesday!
E