NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month, and it takes place every November. The next time I update this blog, it will literally be the first day of November and the first day of NaNoWriMo! Last year, this month helped me make real progress with my novel, and I’m confident that participating this year will help me really flesh out my story idea and get to some serious writing.

And the website has such amazing resources! They start offering courses and resources for preparation six weeks before November 1st so once the month starts, the focus can truly be the writing and your word count. They break down that time like this:

Week 1: Develop a Story IdeaWeek 2: Create Unique CharactersWeek 3: Construct a Detailed Plot or OutlineWeek 4: Build a Strong WorldWeek 5: Grow Your Writing CommunityWeek 6: Find and Manage Your TimeWeek 1: Develop a Story Idea

Luckily, I started my week one over the summer, while I was in Mexico with my sister and my niece for her treatment. I read two books for research and came up with a general premise.

A journalist decides to investigate a string of murders along a major interstate, embedding herself with a truck driver. Danger builds as they begin to unravel the mystery, ending in a life or death battle.

Premise for my next novel.

Week 2: Create Unique Characters

This is also something I was able to start while I was away in Mexico. The main character is a strong but embittered woman named Maddie who has had her heart absolutely shattered. She joins forces with a truck driver named Atticus Whiteaker, or Tic for short, to investigate a serial killer operating along a major interstate. I honestly think is one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever developed. I didn’t use this exact questionnaire that NaNoWriMo offers, but it’s a solid template for designing characters. I still need to flesh out my antagonists, which brings me to …

Week 3: Construct a Detailed Plot or Outline

This is not only where I am in my process, but where I’ve been stuck. I really, really need to devote consistent time to my writing (see Week 6). I’d be able to get into a flow if I knew the beats of my story, and I’d know the beats of my story if I finished a freaking outline. Nano Prep offers three templates to choose from: The Basics, An Outline, Tons O’ Structure. I really appreciate how NaNoWriMo has something for everyone, for every type of writer (not just novelists), all of the time (not just in November).

Week 4: Build a Strong World

The genre I prefer to work in doesn’t call for strong world-building, but those writing in science-fiction, horror, fantasy, etc. will definitely benefit from the resources NaNoWriMo offers. Again, they’re not catering to one type of writing; they’re totally inclusive and supremely supportive, which helps a writer to …

Week 5: Grow Your Writing Community

Luckily, I’ve been growing my writing community for some time. There are colleagues I regularly and routinely share my writing life with. I’m in two writing groups with my classmates from Ireland. And there are so many ways to find AND build your writing community through NaNoWriMo:

RSVP for virtual events hosted by NaNo HQ. Join your local region for in-person and virtual meet-ups. Discover community spaces near you that are hosting special events or open writing hours for NaNoWriMo writers. Connect with buddies on the NaNoWriMo site, or form your own writing group. Find more communities in the forums.Week 6: Find and Manage Your Time

This is where we currently are and where I’m about to be on the Nano Prep timeline. The website offers a quiz to help with scheduling. My results were:

Weekends are for writing.

Your weekday hours are claimed by work, school, or related tasks. How to make this writing thing work? Find smaller chunks of time to write during your busy days, and then stretch into more writing time on your days off. SUGGESTED STRUCTURE: Two 40-minute writing sessions every weekday, 6 hours of writing split between your days off. Remember that you’re only dedicating your days off for a month so that you can push yourself creatively. You can do this! SUGGESTED GOAL: 800 words every workday, 4,250 words on your days off. (If you’re shooting for 50,000 words.) TRY THIS: Leave a hook during your shorter writing sessions. Stop in the middle of a scene, or even a sentence, so that you can dive right into the thick of things when you begin again.

My quiz results.

The additional resources for Week 6 look fantastic; I just haven’t had the time to dive into them just yet. But be prepared: this blog is about to turn into a NaNoWriMo devotional! Come on this journey with me

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