by Kristi Jenkins

There are many books on how to write (including Chris Baty's excellent No Plot, No Problem), but few tell you anything relevant about how to write during National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo is an annual challenge in which participants write a minimum of 50,000 words of original fiction during the month of November. It's fast-paced, frenetic storytelling, and is an utterly unique writing experience. Common writing techniques like outlining and worldbuilding can make your NaNo experience easier, but few things can really prepare an author for a novel-in-a-month.

There are generally two kinds of NaNo novelists: Those who have a story idea in mind, and those who do not. I tend to be in the latter category, so I have found that the best thing I can do in the weeks leading up to November is to carry a notebook or recording device. Ideas can hit at any time, and generally when you're least able to sit and capture them at length, so having a space to record notes in a pinch is a lifesaver. You might not have the latest smartphone, but almost any old cell phone will have a notes or notepad function in the menu. This is a great place to jot down your brilliant, ephemeral plot point if you don't have any paper handy.

Hoard your energy (and ideas)

I know you're excited, but save some of that energy for your story. Don't spill the beans to all your friends. This is your chance to flash a mysterious smile and say "you'll see" to everyone who enquires about your novel. On the other hand, do tell everyone you know that you're participating. There is nothing like a little peer pressure, or the fear having to explain failure, to keep your writing on track.

Coddle your creativity

Some people prefer an emphasis on characters, others a detailed plot. Whatever your preference, do some brainstorming and jot down any story ideas that will help you develop a better sense for your story. I'm no good at outlining, but I do try to at least have a few characters developed, and some scenes in mind, before November 1st. I generally know how the story should start, or how it will end, but not both at the same time. Before November, spend time getting familiar with your story. Get the important scenes or characters in your head, and let your mind wander through potential story twists. If the ideas aren't coming, try some writing prompts or free writing. If you have a friend who shares an interest in your story's genre, have a mini-brainstorming session over a beverage at your favorite coffee shop or watering hole. Some of my best ideas have been shaped while brainstorming with my running partner.

During November

NaNoWriMo is an exercise in creating a first draft very quickly. The first and most important thing you need to do is to kick your inner editor to the curb. Give yourself permission to write truly awful prose, and do everything you can to keep yourself on-task. The daily word count goal for NaNoWriMo is 1,667 words (just shy of seven double-spaced typewritten pages). This may sound intimidating, but if you have your ideas arranged in your head before you sit down to write, it can happen very quickly. Keeping a paper calendar or a computer desktop image with word count goals is an excellent way to both inspire yourself and to make sure you stay on-track.

Do everything in your power to minimize distractions while you're writing. Sometimes this is as simple as putting a "busy" note on your instant messenger, or turning off your cell phone's ringer, but occasionally you need to resort to drastic measures. Get out of the house. Disconnect your computer from the internet. Turn off your cell phone entirely. Put a closed (or locked) door between yourself and your children or spouse. Whatever it takes, do your best to keep your focus. Similarly, if you find you write best at a particular time of day, make sure you keep that time available for yourself. This might mean setting an alarm clock a little earlier, or leaving family members to fend for their own meals.

One of the most difficult but important tips is to alert your social circle (and find a NaNo one). Tell your family and friends that NaNoWriMo is your priority and you will be unavailable during November. I'll pause to give the parents and 9-5 workers a moment to finish laughing here. All done? Let me explain. I don't expect parents to be able to tell their spouses or partners,"Sorry, dear. You can handle all meals and bath times while I go write the Great American Novel," but it is reasonable to be able to reserve a little personal time during November. You can't plan for the unexpected, but take a look at your usual monthly schedule. Are people counting on you for meals? Then do some early planning and either bake and freeze in advance, or look for quick and easy meals. Slow-cooker meals are particularly popular during NaNo, and there are tons of web sites with amazing recipes. A personal favorite is A Year of Slow Cooking which features at least 365 recipes, and has lots of suggestions for food allergy modifications (particularly gluten-free cooking).

Along with food duty, let the housekeeping slip, if it will earn you some time. It's scientifically impossible for dust bunnies to gain sentience in the space of a month. They'll be harder to tame by November 30th, but not impossible. For tasks that absolutely must go on, like laundry, turn the time into a writing challenge. If your washing machine takes 40 minutes for a load, force yourself to write without interruption for that 40 minutes. If the time is too short for you to focus (or your kids won't let you have such a long span of uninterrupted time), use it to outline or brainstorm your story. Getting your plot points in order, or working out a complicated piece of character backstory, will allow you to be that much more productive the next time you sit down to write.

The best advice of all? Find a NaNo group. The easiest resource is the Forum at nanowrimo.org. You can view the message board for any region on the site, but I recommend sticking close to home. Once you set your regional affiliation in your profile, your default region will appear at the bottom of the forum page, and the regional forum is the best way to keep up with people and events in your area. Almost every region has at least one Municipal Liaison and it's the ML's job to plan events and gatherings throughout the month of November. Some may be purely social, but most will focus on writing and those write-ins are one of the best ways to get motivated and focused on your story. Many writers are introverted or painfully shy, so you'll be in good company at these gatherings. Your ML is there to make sure you have a fun NaNo experience, not to put you on the spot, so take a chance and attend a local write-in. Your word count will thank you.

In the United States, the Thanksgiving holiday falls right near the end of NaNoWriMo. Thanksgiving usually involves large family gatherings and either traveling or hosting relatives in your own home. All of which can be extremely stressful, or, at the very least, wearying. Use the "alert your social circle" advice above to get a head start on any Thanksgiving issues and remember that you're not being antisocial or a bad host if you sneak away for a half an hour to write. The added time pressure can spur you to amazing feats of productivity. If you absolutely cannot get away, try to bank some words ahead of time. If you know you'll be losing three days to travel or family duty, you'll need to put in an extra 5000 words ahead of time. With enough advance notice (say, the first 20 days of November), you'd only need an extra 250 words per day. A few lines of dialogue or a very descriptive scene can get you there in no time.

Finally, never lose sight of the fact that NaNoWriMo is meant to be fun. Dream big, but give yourself permission to be terrible. A first draft is all about getting material onto the page, not about getting it right the first time. Keep your grand vision in mind, but don't lose faith when the story is less than you planned. That can all be ironed out during post-November revisions. Take that first step and get your first draft written!

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