Skip to main content

Grab Your Pens, it's the NaNoWriMo!

It’s that time of year. Writers, prepare to type until your fingers drop off, preferably after you reach the 50,000 word goal limit. It might seem like a stretch right now, but think about how you’ll feel next week! Yes, it’s time once more for the National Novel Writing Month. We’re on day three already, but there’s still time to join in.

The goal is to write 50,000 words in the month of November. That’s about 1,666 words a day, and it’s got the sign of the devil in the numbers for a reason: it is super hard.

This is my fifth year at writing, and I have a few bits and pieces which may help you along your way.

  • Before you even start, don’t plan on querying agents with your NaNoWriMo novel in December. Or January. Probably not February either – just don’t so it. Trust me, it won’t be ready. Agents are on the lookout for rushed writing this time of year and they will spot you and drop you. 

  • One you get into flow, keep going. And you don’t have to write in chronological order either. Write where your inspiration takes you.

  • If you finish crafting your major scenes and start to stumble, change your tactics from main plot to subplots and character oriented scenes. Develop your side characters and get to know your main players– it doesn’t matter if the scenes won't be in the final cut. What would your character do if they saw a car crash? Write it and learn. 

  • If you want to make it to the end, worry about the plot not the prose. Always remember that writing quickly doesn’t make a good novel. It’s not the point of it. The point is to sit down and get your ideas in an adaptable form. Don’t worry too much about editing right now, but remember that you will need to do a thorough edit in the months to come. 

  • If you do manage to get to the end of the word limit, remember that you’ve really pushed yourself. There’s a good chance that 45,000 words of it needs to be completely rewritten – but redrafting is much easier than creating. 

  • If your creativity becomes exhausted before the finish line, there’s no need to worry. A good book takes time. The important part is that you’ve made a start, got your brain thinking about the plot and characters, and maybe inspiration will hit soon.

  • Once November passes, set your novel to one side and enjoy the holiday season knowing you’ve made a grand leap with your manuscript. Then pick it back up months later when your brain is refreshed and ready to bring new ideas.

Good luck everyone. Post below if you’re giving it a go!
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Your Best Character: Quiz and Contest

The best characters are put through hell and yet can still carry the story forward on their broken shoulders. Your plot will fall flat if your characters are one dimensional and strong characters can make a cliché story really shine; characterisation takes work and thought. The key to character development is to ask questions. Maybe spend time thinking about the scenarios that have happened to your character which won’t make the final cut of the novel. The questions below are designed to test that (to some degree). [NOW CLOSED, REVIEWS PENDING] Answer at least 5 of these in a comment with a link to your story and I’ll give you an in-depth review. Reviews are approximately 1000 words and take me well over an hour, so if you’re looking to polish up your manuscript then don’t miss out. Also, the opening chapter with the most interesting and well-developed character will be featured on this blog! Feel free to write about anyone as long as they feature in the same story. You can ans...
9 comments
Read more

Dialogue Marks and Taglines

I’m having to point out how to format taglines on a regular basis now, especially when the dialogue takes the form of a question. I thought I’d throw together a quick guide in hopes that everyone who was unaware will see this and instantly understand... Or even just one person. “I fancy a biscuit,” said Samantha. – And I do (how could you tell?) although that’s not the point. My point is you need a comma after biscuit and ‘said’ is in lowercase because the following words form a tagline. It’s a tagline because it refers to how the dialogue is said or who says it. “I fancy a biscuit.” Samantha grabbed the tin. – There’s no tagline. Therefore you need a full stop and to start a new sentence. “I fancy a biscuit.” She smiled. – This doesn’t refer to how the speech is said. Therefore you need a full stop. “Where are my biscuits?” shouted Samantha. – You need lowercase into the tagline. Think of it as part of the sentence. “My biscuits!” she cried. – Again, lowercase. Whether...
2 comments
Read more

Opening Chapter: Quiz and Contest

The opening chapter is pivotal. It needs to draw in an intended audience – it needs flare and promise of things to come, with writing that earns the reader’s trust, luring them into the next chapter.  I’ve made a quick quiz to test whether your opening has what it takes. You don’t need all of these things for a good chapter. Hell, I bet there are a few I’ve forgotten too! Answer each of the following using evidence from your opening. If you can’t, then maybe you need to spice up the chapter. 1) Is your opening line unique, scene setting, or hooking? 2) What makes your character unique? 3) Pick out your best line of description. 4) Pick out your quirkiest line. 5) Is the genre and sub-genres obvious? 6) Is it clean from silly mistakes – have you read through more than 10 times? 7) Does it end on a cliff-hanger? 8) What makes it different from other novels in that genre? 9) Does it start close to the action? 10) Are you happy with it?...
6 comments
Read more