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Many people are fans of autumn. I get it. There’s a beauty to falling leaves and all the changing colors. And then there’s sweater weather. Who doesn’t like to hide under some clothes instead of the nakedness of summer?
I miss summer. Can you tell? I am definitely not living in the right place weather-wise, but I’m working on that.
Autumn does get me excited though. I like sweaters and I love NaNoWriMo, which is National Novel Writing Month during which millions attempt to write 50,000 words in the month of November.
And even if I’m not participating in NaNoWriMo, I must admit that the cooler weather makes it easier to write. Actually, the unbearable cold leaves me with no other choice. Who wants to leave their warm home when you’ve got a cozy onesie, a fleece blanket, hot coffee, and a computer beckoning?
NaNoWriMo is just a few days away – starts this Sunday. Here’s what you’re going to need.
- Outline and other materials you prepared answering these questions.
- Music. I love 8tracks.com. Check out the playlists by Idril, who is also on soundcloud if you prefer that. You can tell she’s super knowledgeable about music. I just love the playlists she puts together. You can also check out my writing collection.
- Images for inspiration. You can do a Pinterest inspiration board or gather images that inspire you elsewhere. Need some places to start? I have 5: the photos of Katerina Plotnikova, Katharina Jung, Dark Beauty Magazine, Zsa Zsa Bellagio, and Idril’s Secret Way.
- Scrivener. Test it out for NaNoWriMo for free and when you win you can buy it at a discount. That discount got me through many hard days of NaNo last year. Granted, Scrivener is not very expensive to begin with, but I love a bargain. I’m not saying you MUST have it, but I encourage you to give it a try.
- Notebook, pens, and pencils. Even though I do most of my writing on a computer, I still like to have analog writing tools. They allow you to write when you don’t have an electronic device handy. Writing by hand requires a different part of the brain, so if you’re feeling stuck switching where you write can be the solution.
- Comfy clothes and maybe even a blanket. I’ve got a cozy onesie and blanket at the ready.
- Coffee or beverage of choice
- Snacks. There are many popular things to snack on while writing – chocolate or things with chocolate being the forefront. My usual has been chocolate covered peanuts, but this year I am going to prepare healthier snacks.
- A good book (or several) to read. I’ll be reading Anne Goodwin’s Sugar and Snails.
- Most important: ATTITUDE! You’re going on a wonderful adventure, be prepared for twists and turns you hadn’t anticipated, allow yourself room for mistakes and wrong turns, and let yourself get lost in the story. Most importantly, have fun!
Some links to get you inspired: How to Trust Your Writing by Mandy Wallace, 5 Mantras to Conquer Your Insecurity by Kate M. Colby, 15 Story Beats to Keep Your NaNoWriMo Novel on Track by Heather Jackson
This post is part of a series on the process of writing a novel. Even if you aren’t doing NaNoWriMo, this series will help you write that novel.
Great list! I did nanowrimo last year but only managed 25,000. Still came out of it proud and much further ahead than I was a month before.
Doubt I’ll do it this year though… i wouldn’t know how to use it at the editing stage and if I start a new project, I’ll only get distracted!
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Anything you get out of NaNoWriMo is great. I’ve done 50000 for two years in a row. But out of that, only about 30-40% is any good. That’s how first drafts work, though.
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Absolutely! Except I know myself, there would be no way for me to focus on more than one writing project. Not yet!
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This is fantastic, Ula! I just posted my weekly prompt — about tools! And I talk about NaNoWriMo though I’m revising instead of drafting this year (my own NaNoReViSo). Like you, I love NaNoWriMo. Great list and encouraging for others.
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Charli, I am doing my own NaNo as well. Maybe I’ll call it NaNo2ndDrafto 😉 It’ll take more than just November, but I am finally buckling down. I’ve been working on this 2nd draft for too long (mostly in theory).
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Don’t forget liniments for your hands from all the typing.
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Good tip. What do you do, Rose? I usually put on some almond or avocado oil and cotton gloves before I go to sleep.
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I’ve used arnica and I have several of these http://www.amazon.com/Medi-Temp-Head-Neck-Hot-Cold-Therapy/dp/B000A3IP0E/ref=pd_bxgy_121_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1K9Q5R3HMV6QSK7671YN and some wrist braces I really need to make myself wear again… >.>
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Awesome post! I have been preparing all October for my first NaNoWriMo and I love seeing posts like this cause they help me get hyped up.
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Good luck with NaNoWriMo then, and remember to have fun. It’s pointless without fun.
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I agree I have been dying to start all day but I told myself I can start writing until I get all of my coursework done lol
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Best wishes to you and all the other participants in NaNoWriMo. I wish you a wonderful month of productivity. It looks like you’ve got the tools sorted out for a good start.
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Thank you, Norah. I’m doing a second draft and I may just need all the luck and good wishes I can get.
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And a lot of hard work too! 🙂
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I can’t have a blanket, I’ll fall asleep! 🙂 This is a great list, though. I love how you added “attitude” to it.
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Thanks. I can’t work without a blanket. I’m weird like that. How can you fall asleep while sitting?
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I don’t know, but it’s happened before, lol.
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A good list. I’m not doing NaNoWriMo, as my first drafts are usually less than 50k words and it would drive me berserk not to hit the target.
I’m visiting from Suzie’s blog party. It’s been good to meet you.
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Are you one of those rare writers that write less and then add on then? Thanks for stopping by.
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I am. My first draft is mostly dialogue and then I have to set the scene. I’m trying to change the way I write, because it’s easy to forget the setting
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Brilliant planning, Ula. Can’t believe I’m still wavering! I’ve got such a clear idea of a book to write, but my mind says I must edit my manuscript first. What to do?! (She says pacing the room and looking at the clock – 3 hours before NaNo is on!)… Decisions, decisions….
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Well, it’s November 1. Have you made a decision?
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I have and I haven’t 🙂 I’ve registered but I haven’t started writing. Call it sitting on a fence 😀 I’ve actually just finished my mentorship programme and wrote about 11000 words in a week. Need some recovery after that. I feel such a relief! I was behind for two months! Can breathe now… and get on with revisions.
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Cracking post, have saved in my bookmarks for later use 😀
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Great you found it useful. I know I’ve been using some of these tools myself this month.
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