Planning Checklist for NaNoWriMo
In less than two weeks, writers around the U.S. will take up the challenge to draft a novel in 30 days. Will you be one of them?
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an annual writing event in November. Writers all over the world aim to complete a 50,000-word novel within the month. The key to a successful NaNoWriMo experience is careful planning and preparation this month.
So, we’re providing you with a comprehensive planning checklist to help you make the most of your writing adventure next month.
What Are the Rules of October Preparation for NaNoWriMo?
During the rest of October, you can brainstorm ideas, outline your story, and do research. However, actual writing should be reserved for November.
This preparation period helps you to lay a solid foundation for your novel, so you can experience a smoother writing process next month.
Here’s a checklist of what you can prepare this month:
1. Your Project Profile on the NaNoWriMo Website
To officially participate in NaNoWriMo, you need to create a project profile on the website. This profile serves as a dedicated space to track your progress and achievements, as well as participate in community engagement. Here are some key steps to complete your project profile:
Declare Your Project: Provide a working title and a summary of your novel.
Join a Region: Connect with writers in your local area by joining a region.
Check the Event Schedule: Stay up to date on virtual write-ins, workshops, and in-person events that will take place throughout the month.
2. Plan Your Inspiration
Writing a novel requires a constant flow of inspiration. Here are some tips to ensure you stay motivated throughout NaNoWriMo:
Create a Writing Playlist: Curate a playlist of songs that inspire and energize you during your writing sessions.
Set Up Pinterest Boards for Your Story: Use Pinterest to gather visual inspiration for your characters, settings, and more.
Make a Snack List: Stock up on your favorite writing snacks and drinks to keep you fueled up and focused.
Explore New Writing Spots: Discover new locations where you can write, such as a local coffee shop, library, hotel lobby, or a quiet park.
Stock Up on Office Supplies You’ll Want: Gather any necessary office supplies—pens, notebooks, and sticky notes—to keep nearby.
3. Story Development Planning
To craft a compelling novel, you need a well-developed story. Follow these steps to effectively plan your novel:
Choose Your Genre: Decide if your genre will be fantasy, romance, mystery, or any other fictional genre that sparks your interest.
Outline Your Basic Story Plot: Create a simple outline of your story, including the main plot points and your overall narrative arc.
Write an Elevator Pitch: Craft a concise elevator pitch that captures the essence of your novel and will intrigue potential readers.
Create Your Characters: Develop memorable and relatable characters that will move your story forward.
Complete Your Character Development: Dive deeper into your characters’ backgrounds, motivations, and personalities to make them come alive on the page.
Do Your Research: Conduct research on any topics or settings relevant to your story to ensure accuracy and authenticity.
Expand Your Rough Outline: Flesh out your initial story outline by adding more details, subplots, and plot twists.
Make Notes on Setting, Scenes, and Plot: Take notes on various settings, scenes, and plot developments that you want to use in your story.
4. Set Yourself Up for Success
To increase your chances of completing NaNoWriMo, consider the following preparations:
Ask a Friend or Family Member to Be an Accountability Partner: Enlist the support of someone you trust to hold you accountable for your writing goals. Accountability can be as simple as sending a daily text each morning to check on your word count or to offer you words of support.
Set Up Your Workspace: Create a dedicated writing space that is free from distractions and conducive to your writing process.
Create Your Daily Writing Schedule for November: Plan out specific writing sessions each day for November. To hit 50,000 words by November 30, you’ll need to write a minimum of 1,667 words each day.
Set Up Your Writing Document: Choose your preferred writing software or platform and set up a document specifically for your NaNoWriMo project. I recommend Microsoft Word.
Have a List of Other Writing Spaces Besides Your Main Workspace: Prepare a list of alternative writing locations in case you need a change of scenery.
Create a Tracking and Reward System: Establish a system to track your daily word count progress and how you’ll reward yourself for meeting specific milestones during the month.
Make a List of Activities You Can Do During Downtime: Compile a list of relaxing activities or hobbies you can engage in during writing breaks to recharge your creativity.
Tell Us: Are you planning to participate in NaNoWriMo next month?
Upcoming Article: 6 Creative Ways to Promote Your Self-Published Book
Have a productive writing week, friends! 🖊️
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