Last Minute Preparations for NaNoWriMo: A Checklist

N.B. Did you see the special offer on Larry Brooks’ new ebook, Story Structure Demystified?  This may be your last chance to snag it at its pre-release price. Check out my review here, and another great one here.

November 1st.

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) begins.

If you’re in Australia (like me), it’s 8:00 am on the 1st. However, for most of you it’s still late afternoon or early evening on Oct. 31st. Which means I have an opportunity to catch you all just before you start pulling out your hair.

A few weeks, ago I wrote an article called How to Write a Novel in 30 Days, prompting you to decide whether you’d be competing in NaNoWriMo.

Because some of you are probably wild with anticipation, I thought I’d send out a checklist of last-minute preparations you’ll want to consider before you start writing.

NaNoWriMo Last Minute Checklist

• Have you officially registered?
• Are you familiar with all the rules?
• Do you have outline notes on key elements of your story?
• If you don’t outline, do you have a premise, your main characters, and at least some notion of where you want to go?
• Have you completed any necessary research?
• Have you set up a comfortable area in which to work?
• Do you have written evidence of your writing goals for the next 30 days?
• Have you briefed others in your house about what you’re doing?
• Do you have an accountability partner?
• If you plan to get a real book out of this experience, have you prepared yourself for several months of manuscript makeover?
• Have you located important resources for your journey (books, helpful websites, writing articles, support forums?
• Are you stocked with notebooks, pencils, pens, etc. and is your computer free of glitches?
• Have you prepared a selection of things that inspire you (CD’s of favourite music, photographs, novels, etc.)

I hope this list is helpful to you.

Here are some other sites offering information on NaNoWriMo you might want to check out.

NaNoWriMo Resources

• The Official NaNoWriMo Website: Rules, FAQ’s, all kinds of resources
• Scrivener: NaNoWriMo Special Trial Edition 2009: Get a special deal on the Scrivener writing program
• Follow NaNoWriMo on Twitter: Get updates about what’s going on as they happen
• NaNoWriMo Progress Forums at Hal Spacejock Series: A PDF download progress chart and some great productivity tips

Helpful Articles from Write It Sideways

• The Top 12 Benefits of Outlining Your Novel: Why should you bother with outlining? Here are 12 ways it can help you write your novel.
• Avoid These Lazy Mistakes in Your Writing: Avoid making these mistakes during NaNoWriMo, and save time editing later.
• 5 Ways to Unleash Your Writer’s Voice Today: Discover your unique writing voice. Stand out in a crowd.
• How to Write with Rhythm that Sings: Learn to write with rhythm before you begin. Make your entry outstanding.
• What Not to Name Your Characters: Would a rose by any other name smell as sweet?
• Novel Writing Tips from a 7-Year-Old Genius: Even a 7-year-old understands the basics of good storytelling!
• 8 Nasty Writing Habits You Should Quit: There’s no room for these nasty habits during NaNoWriMo.
• How to Discover Your Characters’ Motivations: Have you considered why your characters are doing what they’re doing?

Other Writing Blogs I Follow (for fiction advice):

• Storyfix
• Men with Pens
• Write to Done
• Fuel Your Writing

All the best, and keep us posted on how you’re making out (or not making out) with the competition.