Preparing for NaNoWriMo 2021 - Write Your Best Novel Yet!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2024
- Are you getting ready to write a novel for NaNoWriMo? If so, you might be asking yourself: how do I even begin to prepare? Don't worry. In today's podcast, Abbie and I are sharing our best advice for preparing to write the novel of your dreams. From character sketches to scheduling writing time, this episode covers it all. Grab a notebook and let's get ready for Preptober together!
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I literally just watched a video earlier today from another author on TH-cam, who said "Get over yourself" when you want to say you don't feel motivated to write, and really emphasized establishing a routine and to push through without that 'spark.' And to me, that just utterly kills the story for me. While that might work for someone else, who values a set routine despite the motivation/inspiration not being there, for me if I don't feel it, I don't feel it and I allow myself a break. Don't get me wrong! A routine is important, definitely. Like for me, every night after I put my son down to bed and before my husband gets up to go to work (night shifts ftw) I say that's my time to write. And if I just end up sitting at the computer, drinking a glass of wine and only end up jotting a few notes, that's still as important as writing a paragraph or a scene. The main thing I've embraced is that my process is mine in my current era of life. I may not have the same writing routine as I did 2 years ago when I was flying through a project. But I'm not the me I was back then, either. That advice from a previous video from you two resonated with me so hard, and I realized I had to be forgiving to myself, too. It's a balancing act of diligence and rest.
Tldr; this must be why I don't do Nanowrimo LOL
I think that this is because writing isn't just something some people do for fun, they do it for a career. It's like a professional musician telling themselves to practice even when they really don't want to, but they need to in order to be prepared for the next rehearsal and the next performance, and you have to practice daily or you'll lose it. And practice can look like the bare minimum of improving muscle memory by just running through the piece once or doing warm ups and scales. I think it's totally different when you already have a job and are trying to write around it, because then writing is a purely passion project, and you can let yourself take breaks. Instead of wanting to be a commercial writer that releases a new book every year/ 2 years, in which case, you have to touch the draft often in order to practice and master the craft, even if it's just writing one scene on the days that you really don't want to. I'm just coming from a musician/artist perspective, because sometimes, when you want to do something professionally, you have to treat it like a job and not a hobby. But not everyone wants to be a commercial writer and not everyone wants to sell a book, so I think that advice is intended for people who are intending to be a professional author.
Your sitting at the desk and maybe just writing a few lines is exactly having a routine even if the spark isnt there. You are doing it
Sorry, I got so excited when I saw Kate & Abby were going to talk about preparing for Nanowrimo that I hit the thumbs up even before I watched:)
I do that in every episode
Thats like standard once you connect with a channel
I tried last year, but didn’t succeed and left the project, but this year I just got back into the writing flow with a lot more success and understanding from what I learned last year.
I started preparing without even realizing that November is coming up so now I know a goal of when I need to have all my outlining and character development done. Excited 😊
Kate, you should re-edit the title of your video! Other than that, I can't wait for NaNoWriMo 2021!
Maybe we're time traveling for Nano this year. :P
When you're early enough to see the typo
😆 Too funny. Not sure why…
It said preparing for … 2012.
That's me posting on just 1 cup of coffee 😂 Thank you!
This will be my very first year taking part in NaNoWriMo. I've already got a working title and an idea of what it's going to be about. I'll be running all my writing through my ProWritingAid editor application in the beginning so that I won’t need to do any re-visioning. I know the goal is 50,000 words in 30 days, but I'm hoping to shoot for 100,000 words. I think the only amount of prepping I'll be doing is pretty much character development and maybe a summary of what the story is about. I normally write off the top of my head. I'm a pantser by nature.
Same, I want to shoot for 100,000 :D
My first time also!
Meanwhile me being like I'll be happy if I can get to 500 words a day on average 😭 I've never written anything complete, and when I start, I tend to revise what I've already written like 10 times and it's exhausting. I've had this story idea in my head for a few years now and I know general plot etc., so I'll be tackling that. Again, probably not full nanowrimo word count goal, but I'll be just happy to be consistent about it at any level.
Also, what's Prepctober, I just remembered nanowrimo existed yesterday, and it's Oct 31 today 😭
@@Kasiarzynka - I know what it's like to be in your shoes. I used to have the same problem of starting a story and never being able to finish it. I don't know about you, but the biggest reason for me having that problem was a fear that people would not like or want to read any of my work. The way I conquered this problem was to write the novels that I would enjoy reading. That approach worked wonders and allowed me to complete four full length Science Fiction novels and get them on the market. That approach really took the fear out of it. Preptober is where many writers take the entire month of October to plan out the novel they are going to write for NaNoWriMo. This planning phase would include plot development, world building, and character development. The reason many writers take the entire month is that there's a lot that goes into the planning phase. For those of us who are pantsers, Preptober doesn't mean all that much. For plotters, Preptober's extremely important. I don't know what causes you to have the problem of not being able to finish writing your stories, but if you're a pantser, consider plotting your novels out for a while and see what happens. If you're a plotter, consider pantsing for a while. Another thing to consider is saving all of your revising until after you've finished writing your story. Your first draft isn’t supposed to be perfect. Your first draft is for you to get everything down on the page. Don't worry about your first draft being a complete mess. The first draft writing phase is where you may tell your internal editor to shut the hell up. The only reason that I edit as I write, is because the editing software I have allows me to do that. I've also found it to be the quickest way to get my novels finished. One thing to remember about NaNoWriMo is that all the writers who take part are supposed to be enjoying themselves and having fun while developing a disciplined writing routine and gaining self-confidence. This writing challenge wasn't invented to completely stress writers out.
@@neopagan1976 Thank you for your long, exhaustive response :) I think what I struggle with the most, next to inventing names (it's difficult to create a character that you don't have a name for, it's like they don't really exist until being named) is the whole going back to improve every single detail A LOT. It comes in hand when you're programming, because you don't want to build on an unstable piece of code, so you revise it, test it etc., unless you know it's gonna work and not crash because of some minor issue, then you move forward to the next bit. So I feel like my mind feels like I need to go back to the previous scene, or the scene before that, and make sure it's perfect, with all the little details, and all the plot being just right. Which obviously suffocates the flow, because suddenly you're stuck with what you've already written, instead of moving forward.
There're honestly two ways the nanowrimo can go for me. Either I lose interest/get so stressed out that I drop it completely, or I will learn to allow the first draft to be imperfect, and only go back to editing it after I finished the whole thing. I obviously hope for the latter. Also, I don't even write for people to like it, because I don't really plan on people reading it. Unless I figure it's interesting and good enough for people to be interested in it (I mean, the concept is cool!), but my focus is the story itself, not the reader, and rn my problem is pouring it out of my head onto paper (even a digital one), because I want the story to be its best possibly version from the start.
I don't even know if I'm a pantser or a plotter (I think it's similar to "gardener and architect" term, right?), lol. I feel like with the whole story, I need structure, and when it comes to writing specific scenes and their details, I just let my fingers move and transcribe what the characters want to do at the time.
So excited for NaNo! This will be my 6th year in a row and I’ve never been so excited now that I have better information and feel really good about my planning! Thanks Kate and Abbie! You guys are so inspiring!
Since you asked - I'm currently working on building the research and characters for my NaNoWriMo. So I'm obsessed with Ancient Egypt and watching a documentary they were talking about Ushabti - which were basically miniatures that were placed in tombs as servants. I'm using that as the basis of one whose job was to protect the tomb from grave robbers.
This will be my third NaNoWriMo. I won the last two drafting books one and two of my crime fiction trilogy. This year I will draft the third book for NaNo. I am competitive and I love a deadline so I am always motivated and inspired to write during this time of year. I'm a discovery writer but when doing a trilogy, I did a bullet point outline for my second book and will do the same for this book.
I’m writing a crime fiction trilogy as well. Do you have any tips on writing crime novels?
You know, I thought about participating in NaNoWriMo. And I’m excited to say that I have absolutely decided that I am participating this year. The plan is to continue my current WIP and catch a wave of smooth sailing in this great adventure. In other words to give myself a push forward and hopefully accomplish a lot. 🌊😉
I can't wait for Nano! It's so exciting, even tho I won't start any new stories. I'm currently editing first draft of novel I finished in summer, so this will probably take me another two or three months. But I'm excited to see what everyone else is doing for NaNo.
I've tried NaNo for several years and could never fit it in my schedule. This year I'm going to do it... and because of your encouragement (and the push from my beta readers) I plan to write a romance set in the 70s, a daunting task since I've only written fantasy and cozy mysteries.
NaNoWriMo here I come!!!♡
I'm gonna do NaNoWriMo. Decided a few minutes ago. Probably should've thought about it earlier, but here we are. Good luck to everybody else. We're going to need it
Yay!!! Always love listening to you two. And you always have just the advice or insight I need. Stay stoked and rock on!
Omgg thank yall for these! Doing Nano for the first time this year and I'm loving these
I absolutely hate that both NaNoWriMo and Camp NaNo take place in exam season for me, I can never participate with everyone else.
Yes October is literally the most busy time of year for me.
Yeah I feel like spring would be better, November is tough with holidays starting up and school wrapping up!
This is my first Year doing nanowrimo!! This is the inspiration I needed
Someday I will compete in nanorimo and re watch all those videos you guys made!!🤩 thank you very much for all your inspiring videos 💕💕💕
OH, thank you, thank you, you two! This is so helpful. This will be the first time I am fully prepared for NaNoWriMo. Good luck fellow writers:)
I am not doing nanowrimo just writing my dark fantasy romance for fun but i love watching people do and talk about nanowrimo. I just write at whatever pace i feel comfy with.
This will be my 2nd year doing NaNoWriMo! I 'won' it last year, so am super excited to do it again this year. I am creating a video series about my NaNo Prep, the first one will be posted on October 1st! For me, I need a lot of structure to write. It's helped me write three of my four novels, so am planning on doing just that this time as well. :) The novel I'm working on this year will involve an ocean cruise, a little romance, a lot of action, and a splash of terror thrown in for good measure. ;) I don't have a title yet, but that will come. Thank you for posting this! It's so true, you've got to do what works for you. I think sometimes budding authors tend to hoard all the advice instead of picking through it to discover what actually works for them individually.
This will be my second attempt at NaNoWriMo. This year I am trying a NA science fiction alien planet novel
Hi Kate & Abbie! Just wanted to let you know that this video really got me motivated to write a novel I just started writing a couple of months back. I'm really more of a pantser than a plotter, but I'm hoping NaNoWriMo will help me finish my novel :-D because ending my stories is what I struggle most with
Personally, I struggle with telling people about my writing projects and ambitions, even people REALLY close to me. I think my close friends and relatives know I love to write but they don't really know how serious I am about it. Partially, its because writing is STILL not considered a practical pursuit or career in life in social circles around me :-(
I'm so excited because I know abbie is about to publish a new book and dear god
Who's doing NaNoWriMo this year? I am and it will be my first time taking part in NaNo. Good look for anybody who's going to be taking part in it!
:-)
I'm going to try this for the first time this year. I have had the first half of a novel tucked away for almost a year. I plan to review it in 'Preptober' and write the second half for nanowrimo 🤞
Thanks for the encouragement. Going to pick up on a story that is currently titled 'Birth of a Goddess'. October will be review the outline month now that I have a lot written (at 50-60k words) and really need to wrap up parts 1 or parts 2. .
I haven't decided on a project yet (I've got way too many to choose from), but I'm hoping I'll get to doing NaNo this year. I'm really starting to figure out what works for me, process-wise, and I'm trying to focus on writing projects that I'm passionate about, instead of one of the approximately eight million other random ideas I've got floating around in my brain. So I've got high hopes that it'll work out this year.
Hi K&A ^_^
I always hope to participate to NaNoWriMo, but I work full-time as a IT consultant and this november especially will be nuts!
I'll go on with my writing routine: I have tons of ideas for different stories and genres, but now I'm focusing in finishing the first draft of my second manuscript; I'll probably finish for january and then I'll have a 1 month pause, before editing and searching for betas.
Thank you for all your tips, you made me wanna write again after years of hiatus
I'm doing Nanowrimo for the first time (properly) this year. I'm writing a children's book (8-10 year Olds). Looking forward to it!
Hello my dear friends, I liked so much this video! Abbie has a good speech to explain her plots. Great quality in audio in this video, congratulations for this work. Greetings from Sonora, México 🇲🇽👍💖
This would be my first year doing it!
I'm currently having a group of mentally stable and physically overwhelmed people searching across many realms for their Captain who has been taken by a monster from his past.
Ooh that sounds really cool! Good luck with Nano :D
That sounds amazing! Good luck!
i've always wanted to do NaNoWriMo but knew i never had time (aka was scared and talked myself out of it) but i'm working from home now and i have so much free time, i'm ready to do it this year!
I'll tell you what I told my writing buddy - when you have 5 or 10 minutes - type what you can. At first it won't be much but eventually, you'll find your word count going up.
I am a teen writer and i am having exams that month😔. I won't be able to officially be a part of it but I would surely write one new great idea I have in my head.
Really like the conversation 🤠
Not me, trying to finish a first draft in 13 weeks, to give a book to my friends, in a world-building rabbit hole, and about to start writing yet another draft for a whole DIFFERENT story, because I agreed to write Nanowrimo with another friend. Hehehehe. Important stuff. (I'm really excited, though!!)
I’ve always wanted to participate in nanowrimo for real and plan and have a great idea but I don’t have any motivation right now to do it. :( idk if I will participate
What do you girls do when you know who your characters are, their conflicts, you actually love them and you have an overall plot... but still you can't write? Lately, I sit to write with all my will and full of ideas and I just... panic! :(
That happens to me too!
But what helps for me is that I just continue writing....it will be very bad ...not lying.....but once I start I find that I can get in the flow and after a paragraph or 2 or even 3 my writing gets back on track....then I go back and re write those paras 😂
Abbie: I have done NaNoWriMo since, I believe I learned how to breathe. What about you, Kate?
Kate: Yeah...I...
don't do NaNoWriMo. I literally have zero interest in it. NaNoWriMo is like the plague to me. In fact, until 5 minutes ago, I didn't even realize I had agreed to discuss NaNoWriMo, but here we are. Be sure to tune in next week when we'll be diving into the world of professional video gamer competitions and other horrid things I prefer to pretend don't exist.
Just giving you guys a hard time 😄 Always love your transparency, Kate lol! Thanks for another great episode 🥰💜👏
😂😂😂 You're the best Amy! So glad you enjoyed this episode!
I'm trying to write about a sister who finds out her brother is the next in a long line of time travelers. It'll be my first NaNoWriMo. Also my first book. Started lots, finished none lol
That sounds great! Good luck with NaNo!
Anyone doing SATs while writing this NNWM?
I’ve felt really unmotivated to write :( after Im in the boring middle and 20k words it’s getting tiring. Hopefully I can get back to everyday writing
my biggest nano struggle is that i cannot find a plot i want to work on
Whoever disliked this is blind af. I started the video and pressed the like button. Just cause of the title
You're the best! Thank you for being here 🌻
@@KAEmmons not me fangirling that you responded😃😃