How to Finally Take That Novel Idea and Make it a Reality this November
NaNoWriMo is a phenomenon like no other. National Novel Writing Month was started in 1999 with the simple aim of bringing writers together to complete 50,000 words of their novel in just one month. In 2022, 413,295 writers took part across the globe. With novels such as The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen starting life as Nano projects-what might seem like a fun activity could just be the kick you need.
Having completed NaNoWriMo twice, I’m here to provide insight into why you should do it in 2023, and crucial tips on making it to the finish line.
Why You Should Take Part
It is the Perfect Opportunity to Get Your Idea Actually Written.
We all have that idea that we can’t stop thinking about. We wonder if we should write it down and instead continuing daydreaming about it. Well, NaNoWriMo is the opportunity to make that idea into reality. Think about it, in the next 30 days, you could have that idea actually written in front of you-and how cool would that be?
NaNoWriMo is great for those who have been writing a while, but also for those who want to try writing for the first time. You don’t need to share your words with anyone, so whatever you want to write is completely yours. So, whatever level of writing you think you’re at, whether you want to take time to write your memoir about a difficult time in your life, or write your sci-fi epic about sheep being aliens from another planet, this is the moment.
NaNoWriMo Gives You The Tools to Get Your Writing Done
Completing NaNoWriMo gave me tips that I’m still using today. When I wrote the first draft of my current Novel-in-Progress last year, I used the same techniques I had learnt from Nano to get the writing done: having a word count for the day and the week, keeping accountable by telling close friends what I was doing, and the confidence in my ability to fit words in around other commitments.
Taking part is an opportunity to learn about yourself too, finding out important things like what time of the day you work best at-something not only applicable to your writing life.
“Allow yourself the freedom to write by the seat of your pants…you can polish it later.”
Tips to Help You Along the Way
Your First Draft Will Be Shit and That’s Okay
I’ll repeat it again-your first draft will always be shit. While this may sound pretty pessimistic, I actually find it freeing. Instead of agonising over every word, the important thing in NaNoWriMo is to simply get the words done. Editing comes later, but what you are creating right now is the crux of your story, the initial ideas and characters which, later on, can become something beautiful.
Allow yourself that freedom to write by the seat of your pants. When you find yourself judging an individual word choice, move on, and carry on with the story. You can polish it later.
To use a baking analogy, see NaNoWriMo as sourcing your raw ingredients and mixing them together. It is only after you have everything you need that you will be able to make that beautiful cake in the future.
Find Your Community
As we all know, accountability is paramount when it comes to completing projects.
If you know other writers, see who else is taking part. If you don’t know anyone else taking part, tell those around you about what you are doing, to help encourage you to complete it.
Alternatively, NaNoWriMo has a brilliant online community, and local meet ups in your area-check them out. There is also London Writer’s Salon, where you can join their online write-ins up to four times a day for free-while not everyone is doing Nano projects, being in a space of other writers all writing together is incredibly motivating.
If You Get Behind, That’s Okay!
Life happens. We are humans that live messy lives. Sometimes we can’t always write as much as we want each day.
But don’t let that you give up. No matter how far behind you get, you can always catch up-there may be that amazing day in a week’s time when the writing just flows perfectly and you find yourself unable to stop. Those are the days that will get you back on track.
Writer’s Block Happens
However, the dreaded writer’s block is likely to come for you during your NaNoWriMo experience. And that’s okay. Sometimes we have a day when inspiration isn’t there, or you find yourself finishing a scene and not knowing what to do next. If you think a day off will help, take it. If not, there are loads of tips out there for overcoming writers block. However, the easiest way for many is to use a writers prompt website-try and put that detail into the next part of your story and go from there. Whether it makes sense, or is completely stupid, allow your characters to react to it, and go from there-you might end up propelling your novel in a whole new direction!
“Whatever you write, you have still written more than you had when you started.”
And Finally…
If you don’t finish, that is okay.
Remember, whether you write 100 words, or do the whole 50,000, you have still written more than you had when you started. Celebrate that incredible achievement.
To sign up, head to the NaNoWriMo website and get an account. Here you can log your word count, find tons of writing resources, and be part of the NaNoWriMo community.
Good luck!
Have you tried completing NaNoWriMo before? How did it go? What tips would you give others taking on the challenge?
Have your novel/story and want help editing? I can help! Email me via my Contact page.
Mel Piper 