Lemmon Avenue

NaNoWriMo 2017 is among us! I have already decided that since NaNoWriMo 2016 was one of the catalyst events that had to happen for me to finally get started on my manuscript this year I will once again join with a brand new story! Yay!

Currently I am editing my main project which WOW has been quite a task to manage but I’ll make a separate post on that later.

I will try to pour out at least the 50,000 words on a new project because why not right? Last year I was a little all over the place because I was trying to incorporate a routine AND still going in a loop about a few storylines that I couldn’t decide on AND preparing to move. Things just kept coming up. I started out nice and steady but didn’t finish I barely got 16,000+ words down. Which isn’t bad,  I am proud that I made some headway with those 16,000 words. In those days I was writing on average 500 words on most days which from the start I should have known it wasn’t going to get me to the 50K mark. But the important thing is that I tried, I participated and although I didn’t ‘win’ I got to understand the concept that writing takes time, you must be patient, it takes research, you need some sort of idea even a vague one of what you will be writing about AND most importantly it takes making a commitment.

Remember the important thing is to get started and make progress.

So what do you need to Flash prep for NaNoWriMo 2017?

Don’t worry that you only have a few days and you’re not ready. If this is you don’t back out now, you can do this. Here are a few of the things I learned from my first NaNoWriMo that might help you too.

Flash Prep for NaNoWriMo

1. Gather a notebook and some pens, stickies, stapler and a folder.

2. Print a November 2017 month view. You’ll need this to track your word count AND to have a visual of the days that you must commit to this project. Place it somewhere you’ll see it.

3. Create a phone alarm for a specific time that you’ll be free to write. If you don’t know what times you’ll be free just pick a time you’re most likely to SEE the alarm that will remind you that you need to write

4. Whether it’s now or that first week, jot down ideas as they come about what you’re writing.

5. Try to follow the suggested word count that NaNoWriMo gives because it’s broken down so you’ll have 50,000 words by the end of the month. If you are under you’ll need to work harder days after to catch up.

6. For the suggested word count if it’s too much to sit and write 1,667 words/day try to write at least 500 in the morning, another 500 throughout the day or at night. You will most likely end up writing more if you break it down into smaller sessions than doing it all in one sitting.

7. Coffee and snacks.

8. Don’t forget the music. I try to listen to tracks that put me in the mood for the story not just any playlist.

9. If you’re more visual, try making a Pinterest board for your story.

10. Word is great to write. But don’t forget about the resources NaNoWriMo offers it’s participants. I was able to get Scrivener for a discount price, I love using it! There’s also forums where many writers hang out, there are regional events in your area, you can friend other writers and keep in touch on social media.

11. Don’t forget to UPDATE your word count on the website each day!!

12. Be prepared with warm gloves, some muscle pain ointment for your thumb, and in some cases a thumb splint/wrap which can be found at most retail stores/pharmacies.

Let’s get started together! Comment or send me a tweet! 🙂

To find out more about National Novel Writing Month check out their awesome website https://nanowrimo.org/