Tips for a Successful NaNoWriMo

Tags

creative consulting, NaNoWriMo, nanowrimo2019, novel writing, Novels, Writing, writing advice, writing novels

Hello WRITERS

First of all, I apologize for taking some time off from this blog. As many of you know, I am in the process of creating my signature online course STORY CONCIERGE and several mini-courses that will be budget-friendly and take less time to complete as we are all so busy and a lot of us don’t have a ton of money to spend on courses.

This said, I am rolling everything over to my course platform KAJABI and even this blog will roll over, so please be patient with me.

I also started a YouTube channel this summer and am taking the month of October off as life has gotten so busy and if you follow me on social media, you know that we are also moving apartments AND jetting over the Pacific Ocean to enjoy our one year anniversary in Hawaii.

There are no enough hours in the day.

SOOOOO I am doing #NaNoWriMo as I have done it every year since 2006 and one year when it first started before that. I love it.

I am going to be posting weekly videos AND FB lives AND Instagram stories all November giving support, tips, insights, and anything else that YOU need to have a successful month. 

You may add me as a buddy at https://nanowrimo.org/ I am stephnewyork

Here are some quick and easy tips!!

1. Be open to whatever story you are writing–meaning–just be free and free write
2. Don’t edit–just write
3. Make a schedule. Usually, during NaNo I set aside a couple hours every month to write BEFORE I do anything else. Well, maybe you can’t do that but try to schedule this in–you will be more likely to do it if it’s on your calendar.
4. Make a daily word count goal.
5. Aim to finish before the end of the month so you have time to spare.
6. Do NOT compare yourself to others
7. Don’t expect this to be perfect right out of the gate.
8. Don’t outline in October—I find those who do this often fail because they are trying to stick to an idea, whereas it’s better to just write. If you must outline, just do it as simple as possible as a guide, not a detailed map.
9. Do go to write-ins online and in-person with other writers.
10. HAVE FUN!!

Here is a FREEBIE—a goal sheet download for writers-—this can be so helpful for NaNoWriMo or any of your writing goals WRITER GOAL SHEET DOWNLOAD

Happy Writing xo 

Stephanie

BTW I’m taking October off from this blog as well but you can find me on social media

Join the STORY CONCIERGE Free FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/StoryConcierge/

Twitter https://twitter.com/stepholivieri

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/JudanieBean/ 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stepholivieribourbon/

 

NaNoWriMo and How to Win-Tips to Succeed.

Tags

NaNoWriMo, Novels, Teen fiction, Writing, writing tips, YA fiction

Hi Writers!!!

So it’s that time of year again and NaNoWriMo is upon us. I have done it every year since 2006 because it’s such a great way to get out a first draft.

I aim for 70,000 words because it pushes me more and I always finish. I currently write YA and when I started I was writing adult novels which generally have longer word counts. Here are my tips to make it FUN for you and so you can finish.

Me? I’m a bit crazy when it comes to writing, but I always try to finish by Thanksgiving. I divide up the word count by days. So yes, MATH.

This year Thanksgiving is on November 23rd so for me to hit 70,000 words I have to write 3043 words a day, every day. See how that works?

You GOT THIS. I know you can do it. The 3rd or fourth year I did it I was also working 50 hours a week and was in the running for a TV writing fellowship where they actually asked me to fly out a spec episode over a week. It’s about breaking up your day into units of time.

Yes, just like Will in About A Boy. Everything you do can be broken down and therefore making it seem less daunting.

Example: Gym-1 hour (1 unit), walking my dog 1/2 unit, cooking and eating dinner 2 units. Writing 3,000 words 3 units, work 6 to 8 units. Yes, your day will be longer, but that’s what it takes to be a writer–you know this, right?

Okay here is a simple list that I hope helps.

1. Forget outlining and planning. I know there are people and places who start the NaNoWriMo outlining in Sept. Don’t do it, really it makes it much harder to hit a word count when you are constrained to an outline. You can do that in revisions. Just have a story idea, character and be FREE, you’ll love it.
2. Don’t compare yourself to other writers. You are you and what you are writing is perfect for you.
3. Make a word count daily plan and then hit it every day.
4. Tell your family and friends that you are doing this and ask for the space you need to write.
5. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day. You can always make it up, but try to stick it because it’s easier to do smaller amounts daily.
6. Do NOT edit-this is the biggest one. Do NOT edit as you write or you could get stuck in chapter one forever.
7. Be confident in your story.
8. Buddy up with people on NaNo and use them as accountability buddies
9. Be positive about you and your work even if you have those bad writing days–you can fix all of it in revisions
10. Lastly, have fun!!!

“If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything!” ~ George McFly, Back to the Future 

 

https://nanowrimo.org/