The Ultimate NaNoWriMo Writer’s Tool Kit

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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.

1. Outline and other materials you prepared answering these questions.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Comfy clothes and maybe even a blanket. I’ve got a cozy onesie and blanket at the ready.
7. Coffee or beverage of choice
8. 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.
9. A good book (or several) to read. I’ll be reading Anne Goodwin’s Sugar and Snails.
10. 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.

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