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thewritingcafe: “ WHAT IS NANOWRIMO? NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. It begins on November 1st of every year and goes until 11:59 on November 30th. During this time, participants must write a novel that is at least 50,000 words. If...

thewritingcafe:

WHAT IS NANOWRIMO?

NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. It begins on November 1st of every year and goes until 11:59 on November 30th. During this time, participants must write a novel that is at least 50,000 words.

If you win NaNoWriMo, you get some perks that are listed on the website each year. Examples include discounts on writing software, free downloads, and some free physical copies of your self published book.

There is also a related event called Camp NaNoWriMo. This is the same as NaNoWriMo, but with a few differences:

  • Camp NaNoWriMo takes place in April and July.
  • On the Camp NaNoWriMo website, you can be in “cabins” with other writers where you can chat and encourage each other to write.
  • You can set your own word count goal for Camp NaNoWriMo.

FAQ ABOUT NANOWRIMO

Do I have to write a novel? Can I write an anthology of short stories?

While the original premise was to write a novel, you are free to write an anthology or short stories (or something similar) if you wish.

Does it have to be original fiction? Can I write fan fiction?

The original premise was to write original fiction, but you can write fan fiction if you want.

Am I allowed to plan my story before November?

Yes! Writers are encouraged to prepare prior to NaNoWriMo.

Am I allowed to start writing my story before NaNoWriMo as long as I write an additional 50k words during November?

You’re supposed to start with a new story, but there’s no one to stop you from continuing an old story or even rewriting one.

Does my novel have to be 50,000 words, or can I go over?

You can definitely go over the word count.

Do I have to be in the US to participate? Do I have to write in English?

You can live anywhere and you can write in any language.

Make sure to check the nanowrimo website for more FAQs.

PLANNING AND PREPARATION 

If you’re prone to writer’s block, I highly recommend that you plan before you write:

Otherwise, prepare mentally and physically for the challenge of writing a novel in a month. Plan out when you will write each day and for how long. Remember, you need at least 1667 words per day to reach the goal by the end of the month. Find a nice spot to write, have all your notes in order, and back up all your files. Here are some more tips and resources:

WRITING

One thing you need to avoid during NaNoWriMo is editing. If you edit while you’re trying to write, your writing will be slowed and you’ll fall behind. Just keep writing.

OTHER NANOWRIMO TIPS

AFTER NANO ENDS

So NaNoWriMo is over (or you’ve finished your novel) and now you have a rough draft of your manuscript. Here are some tips:

  • Do not immediately send it to an agent or publisher. Tons of people start sending out their manuscripts right after NaNoWriMo and it’s a huge mistake because they’re not sending polished, ready-to-be-published manuscripts. They’re sending rough drafts they wrote quickly.
  • Leave it alone before you start editing. Walk away from your manuscript and work on something else or take a break from writing. This break could be a few days, a few weeks, or even a few months. It depends on you. Then start editing once you’re fresh again.

For more on editing and publishing, see my How to Write and Publish a Novel page.

(Source: nimblesnotebook-blog, via soggywarmpockets)

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READ THIS Novel Writing Pep Talk. Go on.

neil-gaiman:

November 1-30. The world needs your novel.

This is the pep talk I wrote some years ago for week three. You are now entering week three. Welcome to hell. Read the talk.

For everyone halfway through NaNo

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I might regret this…

But does anyone have some inspirational messages for NaNoInspo Possum to pass on to the masses?

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The last of NaNoInspo Possum (for now…)

And FYI, my Possum Voice sounds increasingly like my Portal Turret Voice. I’m getting worse…

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More NaNoInspo Possum for you.

(I swear to Gob I started reading these aloud in a cute little voice that wound up sorta creepy. What am I doing with my life?)

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Assembled cogniscents, I give you NaNoInspo Possum!

I found that cheerful little darling via google search and extended the negative space above hir head. I tried to pick the most excited and optimistic-looking possum there was.

For further explanation of NaNoInspo, check this post.

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NaNoInspo

I’m already writing, so any participation of mine in NaNoWriMo will be more or less background noise. But then I thought:

What about the first-timers?

Peeps who are just sitting down for the first time to do something big and creative (I include the peeps participating in NaNoManGo, too, but I suck at art) and may be a little bit daunted. Or experiencing trepidation about the whole deal.

So I came up with NaNoInspo.

Inspirational messages, possibly including a brushtail possum, about starting writing and keeping writing. Why the brushtail? They’re cute, nocturnal, and used to dark places. Much like writers. They’re also capable of a lot of noise, a lot of mess, and will take your finger off if you’re not careful. Much like writers ;D

Things like:

  • Of course you can explain your world! In small doses.
  • Show us what your hero(ine) is like.
  • Every first draft is perfect. All it has to do is exist. (Thank you, Neil Gaiman)
  • Edit later. Write now.
  • Write now. Edit later.
  • All you could write was a paragraph? That’s great progress!
  • Stuck? Read it over.
  • Characters running away with the story? That’s a good sign!
  • You made yourself cry? Wow, you’re good.
  • Torturing your characters does not make you a bad person.
  • Torturing your readers does not make you a bad person.
  • Of course you can finish it after November.
  • Keep writing, you’re doing great.
  • TV Tropes is research.
  • Wiki walks are research.
  • Keep notes. Continuity is important.
  • Readers are smart. You can let them guess.
  • Write someone different to you. It’s great exercise.
  • Give them a problem that’s in the way of their current solution.
  • Need more words? Describe something.
  • Tired of ‘said’? Try showing us what they’re doing.
  • Don’t tell me what they look like right away.
  • All you could write was a sentence? That’s great progress!
  • You’re allowed to take a break.
  • Remember: Look after yourself!

And so on. I doubt I could do a month’s worth, but I can try. And that’s what NaNoWriMo is about.

And, yes, I have an enthusiastic-looking possum picture picked out.

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This is it.

The 14th post in my queue.

This means I can officially take a break from seeking blog material and go write some independent fiction.

Or, as I sometimes put it, I’m going to commit some literature.

Expect the next few blogs to be me honking on about my latest Work In Progress.

Unless something spectacularly heinous pops up concerning OWS and the corpratocracy’s slow collapse into malevolent dictatorship.

Or I get a funny idea.

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