Considering this is the day for all things spooky, I thought I’d complete Blogtober (though I think I might be a few posts short – curse my inability to do basic maths!) by posting about something which has always struck me with fear….Nanowrimo
Nanowrimo , for anyone who doesn’t know, is a writing event throughout November where the aim is – starting November 1st – to write a 50,000 word novel. Absolutely terrifying, right?
I’ve tried Nanowrimo before a few years back and – for some reason – I just couldn’t hack it. When I think about it, though, I think it came down to planning. Even though I do like planning, I think I took an idea and ran with it. It was kind of one of those look before you leap situations. So, to smash this year out of the park, I’ve been planning!
I’m not the most artistic or creative of people but, when I was scrolling through Pinterest , I saw something like this when I looked at “Nanowrimo Prep” and thought I’d give it a go. So far (I still have a bit more planning to go in the book before I’m ready-ready), I’ve got a summary, character list and I’ve started a character questionnaire. As well as this, I’ve done some research on speed dating (considering the fact my WIP is set at a speed dating event).
That’s another thing I think I didn’t do last time, research. When I began my Start Writing Fiction course , I realised just how important it is to research as well as to plot characters, events and so on.
As well as the more fun side of planning, I’m going to set a schedule. Obviously writers have lives, so I’ve got to factor in some living space. My plan is to treat this WIP like school work, set aside a few hours to sit myself down, take myself away from distractions and write.
The main thing I’m going to do, and I’d urge anyone who is writing (for Nano or not) to do the same, is not put pressure on myself. Even though it would be fantastic to achieve the goal and have a novel at the end, I can’t say for certain that’ll happen. I’m just going to use what I’ve already planned, keep notes of what I do as I do them and see how it goes.
If you’re taking part this year, good luck! Also, if you fancy, you can be my buddy . As usual, you can find me on Twitter and Instagram to keep in the loop on my progress (or lack of) and other cool things!
Blogtober Posts
Everything I Know About Love (by Dolly Alderton) Review
Ready or Not (2019) Review [Dir. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett]
The Upside of Falling Down (by Rebekah Crane) Review
365 days (and counting) of blogging: What I’ve learnt
Twenty one things I learned being 21
Things I’m excited to do now I’ve finished education
Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) Review [Dir. Ruben Fleischer]
The Places I’ve Cried in Public (by Holly Bourne) Review
My Experience of the Start Writing Fiction course (Open University)
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Fractured (2019) Review [Dir. Brad Anderson]
My trip to Walt Disney World, Florida
16 Things I’d Tell My 16 Year Old Self
The Perfect Date (2019) Review [Dir. Chris Nelson]
Jen Rose Writes🌹 
I’m doing NaNoWriMo this year too! I 100% agree with you about how important research is – I did a tiny bit for last year and is wasn’t enough 😂 Definitely doing more this year! Good luck and can’t wait to see what you come up with!
– Hannah / https://hannnahsbookshelf.wordpress.com/
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Aw great! Someone else who knows the struggle 😂😂. Thank you, good luck too!
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You make some good points about NaNo! I’ve participated as well, but I didn’t go for the full 50,000 words as I’m finishing a novel that only needed about 30,000 more words. I wrote about 15,000 of them, so I’m continuing on into December for the rest! How did your NaNo go? 🙂
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Cheers! That’s good! I finished on 20,000+ words so I’m going to go through what I’ve written and continue in December 😊.
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