Don't look back - just write!
The first time I heard about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), I'd just started taking my writing seriously and followed a few author blogs to polish up my writing process. At the time I thought NaNo was for 'real' writers whereas I was a hack so it wasn't for me. That was around 2006 and pre-Instagram. There were a lot of books on writing and a wealth of information on the internet and I got swamped in all the detail. I knew that if I didn't find one method and stick to it I would never finish my novels.
For the next eight years I wrote and read and went on courses and worked on my technique, and in 2014 finally felt that I was ready to participate in this thing called NaNoWriMo. I aced four years, pre pandemic, and completed four novel drafts of which one I eventually self published. The rest remain in various stages of rewrites and edits.
Roll on mid-September, and the NaNo challenge feels achievable. Yes, of course I can whip up 1,667 words a day - no problem. This is my year.
Mid-October the planning starts and it's great to get the plot outlined, characters on board and chapter list ready for November 1st.
On November 1st the frenzy that is NaNoWriMo kicks off and to 'win' all you need to do is deliver those 1,667 words per day if you hope to achieve the 50,000 word goal.
But, where do you start?
Signing up and setting up an account is straightforward and once the blurb is done it's time to build your profile, declare your novel's title and set your goal. It’s absolutely free to participate, and you can donate if you want to contribute to the wonderful work that NaNoWriMo do.
Next you add your project and if you’re savvy, you can upload a cover for your novel, which you can design yourself using a free Canva account. It doesn't matter if you're shy or inexperienced - have some fun, buddy up with fellow participants and follow their progress. There's great resources available too - Prep 101 workshops, advice on developing story ideas, creating characters, plot, worldbuilding and so much more. Throughout the month, you get to update your wordcount each day and earn badges of achievement as you go - there's nothing more satisfying than tracking your daily count on the graph.
If your writing is motivated by music, prepare your novel's playlist ahead of time. I have one specific song for each year that's stuck with me and whenever I hear it I'm transported back to that particular November. Once you've participated, NaNoWriMo stays with you forever. And don't forget to brag about your word count milestones and experience on your social media platforms!
“Write first! Ask questions later!” –Chris Baty, NaNoWriMo founder
Sunrise, November 1st. Whoo-hoo, NaNo day 1. Outline ready - check. Chapter list ready - check. Crack knuckles. Sip a cuppa. Stroke the cat stretched across the keyboard. Admire the sunrise. Listen to the birds singing. What a rush!
That's the dream. I already know how this is going to play out for me. Nov 1st is a week day and I work full time. I might manage a measly 284 ish words once I've dragged myself in from work at the end of a long day. No problem, I'll catch that up over the weekend. The words will roll out at a steady couple of hundred during the week, a couple of thousand on the weekends.
November 15th. Phew, this word goal is so much pressure. All the Instagram bunnies are smiling at their cameras, announcing their word counts and achievements in perfectly beautiful NaNo themed posts whilst I can't look at my laptop without feeling the burn of anxiety and failure. I'll take a self care day, forget the word count, delay Instagram updates, refuse to log in to NaNo, drink more coffee and nudge the lazy cat off the keyboard - it's his fault. Roll up in the duvet. No problem, I'll catch up the 39,620 backlog by the end of the month.
November 29th. Shit!
Joking aside, NaNoWriMo provides a fabulous regimental structure to help writers knock out the first draft of their novel. Preparation is key and the website has everything you need to get started. It doesn't matter whether you write for ten hours straight or half a day or squeeze in a couple of hours before and after work, between meals, commuting, catching your favourite soap. If you have the discipline to meet the daily word count, fantastic achievement. If you clock up a few thousand words, great job. Whatever your outcome, you're a winner. I mean it.
Jax’s Unsolicited Tip: Don't look back - just write!
If you start reading back through your chapters you'll start editing and you'll lose your momentum. Write like there’s no tomorrow. There’s plenty of time from December 1st to start thinking about editing.
I've updated my profile (you can say hi and send a buddy request to jjdoborwrites) and I’ve declared my rewrite goal for this year. Work commitments are going to hinder my progress, but I'm still going to update my wordcount and collect my badges and be a part of something truly amazing. If I achieve my goal, good for me. If I don't, that's OK because next year NaNo will be there and I'll be ready for it.
Good luck, good writing and most of all enjoy the experience.