How to Pump up NaNoWriMo This Month
Are you embarking on a month-long quest to write the first draft of the novel you’ve dreamed of? Or perhaps you just want to feed off the energy of 400,000 people . Here are our top tips for aspiring writers.
Plan your writing time
Time management is the first step to completing any major writing job . Sitting down to write is as intimidating as going to the gym or opening a tax program every April. Whether you are on a NaNo schedule or not, you have to figure out when, where, and how you are going to write , and then stick to that plan.
Read about how Lifehacker writer Nicole Dicker finished two novels in 18 months , then consider how you can find your own perfect writing schedule .
Choose your weapon
Do you prefer to write by hand in a secure notepad ? Open Word on your computer? Or maybe you want to know about our favorite fiction writing apps . Just remember to do a test run first .
Write with friends
Writing is difficult, and misfortune loves company. But writing can be fun too, so why not ignore your best friends and / or new acquaintances in favor of a laptop? Grab snacks and extension cords and post your own recording .
Place something on the page
It’s okay to write badly at first. A bad first sketch opens the way for your real brilliant idea to come true . Start each day with three pages of trash .
Need inspiration on what to write about? Visit these NaNoWriMo forums to find “acceptable” ideas to add to your story.
This is for avid NaNoers. If you have to count words out of pride or stubbornness, throw quality out the window and use these nasty tricks to finish your novel on time.
Learn to write
The following is optional for NaNo, but you may prefer to write a good rough draft of the novel than write some old rubbish. You might want to take one of these online creative writing courses . Or, you can read novelist Julian Gough ‘s advice on how to turn the opening line of words into something readable.
While you’re listening to the advice, read what 20 journalists have to say about good writing. Take advice from Pulitzer owner Jennifer Egan . And consider including this episode of our The Upgrade podcast, where writer Mira Jacob tells you how to write a novel and then some of us at Lifehacker join in on their advice.
For captivating scenes, consider borrowing memo writing techniques from former FBI Director James Comey . Yes indeed! Stop using the word “very” so often; here is a cheat sheet you can use instead . Try to structure your sentences so that the best part is at the very end .