Diving into National Novel Writing Month

National Novel Writing Month starts in just under two weeks. For those who haven’t heard of NaNo, the idea is to write 50,000 words during the month of November. You aren’t supposed to start writing until Nov. 1. The idea is the encourage people to write. There’s no prize for winning, just a strong sense of accomplishment.

NaNo is quite a challenge, but it’s doable. Some writers swear by creating detailed outlines and character sheets while others prefer the seat-of-the-pants approach. Character sheets also help you keep track of details like hair color and age. Both methods have merit.

One problem some writers have with detailed outlines is that they allow the outline to dictate the story. Stories evolve as you write them, making it necessary to allow for changes. The outline will help you remember key plot points and other details while you write.

Another problem writers face is pressure from the word count. Sometimes it feels like the end goal is far away. A low overall word count can be discouraging. This is why you shouldn’t watch the numbers constantly. Check the numbers when you finish writing for the day.

As any writer will tell you, writer’s block is bane of our existence. Odd are that it will happen. Even the best planners can fall prey to this devilish fiend. Fight writer’s block by rereading what you’ve written, doing something else or writing a later scene.

Seeking out motivation is a critical part of writing. The NaNo word count offers a suitable about of it, but sometimes you need more. Look for others working on NaNo on writing forums and the NaNo official forums. Talking with other writers can help you sort out problems and motivate each other to finish off that days writing goal.

Another hurdle to overcome is scheduling. Trying to write everyday can seem impossible. There are some days when it’s impossible to write. On these days, try to spend at least 10 minutes planning what to write the next day. The use of smartphones and other handheld technology makes it possible for you to write up something anywhere. For example, last year I needed new tires. I wrote up several hundred words on my iPod Touch while I waited.

NaNo is massive undertaking for many, but the in the end, you will have accomplished something you can be proud of. Fifty-thousand words is a lot to write in 30 days on top of everything else going on, but you can do it.