Are you ready for November 1st?
While some of you are probably thinking: Aten, it's more than a month away!! I don't even have time to worry about it yet, I am here to tell you time flies and before we all know it, National Novel Writing Month will be well underway...again.
And with that in mind, I decided to sit down and start preparing my own Nano survival kit, incorporating items that I used and lived by during last year's month long mad dash to 50K+ words. While some of the items on the list may feel like Duh moments to any writer, they weren't always so clearly defined for me - SO the pantser in me is taking a back seat to the plotser need to get this list generated!
1. An idea - for the pantser in all of us - just a spark could help....for the plotser in us a little more knowledge is necessary - regardless of your approach you need an idea. I have one flopping around in my head trying desperately to come to life.
2. A notebook and favorite pen. Yes, we live in a digital age, but I still like the feel of ink on paper and like to scratch out ideas while I'm typing away.
3. MUSIC! You know you need to keep your muse happy - so create that play list that will lead you through all the scenes OR for those of you who must live in a bubble of total quiet, grab a pack of ear plugs because you KNOW that someone will call...or cough...or show up at that exact moment when your muse is playing nice and the words are at the tip of your tongue.
4. FOOD! This one is not only for you, but any other people who are unfortunately living with you this month and may have to fend for themselves. Make sure to have a lot of easily prepared meals set aside AND snacks that you can eat in between the meals you skip to hit your daily word goal.
5. TIME!! This year will be different for me. I will be trying to Nano and work at the same time. I was fortunate enough to have the ability to only worry about writing last year. This year, I feel like I'll be batting in the big leagues with all the other writers trying desperately to live a life, work, keep the house away from hazmat suits and quarantine signs AND write a novel....why do I have the sudden urge to laugh uncontrollably??
Other tips? Check out the Nano web page for inspiration and procrastination needs; follow the Nano feeds on twitter for writing sprints. While I didn't sprint with everyone, a few helped me out of writer's block last year, and I'm sure they will again.
Cheer on your fellow Nano-ites as they aim for 50K
The most important aspect?? HAVE FUN and enjoy the ride. I learned so much about myself and the way I thought I had to write a book last year. I can't wait to see what I learn this year! Look forward to another post on that after Nano this year.
