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No Plot? No Problem!
A low-stress, high-velocity guide to writing a novel in 30 days.
Paperback
Published October 1, 2014
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January 5, 2026
I'm giving this book a 4 star review under the assumption that it is used as a companion book for the Nanowrimo writing challenge.
The writing style is fun, pithy, easy to read, and easy to follow. The author feels relatable, while still realistic, and maintains a playfulness from beginning to end that helps lighten the mood to 50,000 word writing challenge. This book was not what I was looking for when I picked it up, but it was inspiring nonetheless. I had decided I wanted to do Nanowrimo in December, and wanted a book to give me a nice kick in the butt to get started. Unknowingly I picked up this book at a used book store, and it just so happened to be by the creator of Nanowrimo itself AAAAND was a companion style book for the 50,000 words per month goal. *Chef's Kiss*
The first few chapters provide considerations for before you start the writing process and then there is a chapter for each week of the month in Nanowrimo with specific insights, writing exercises, relatable struggles, inspiring quotes from others in the trenches. While I did not need a lot of the writing exercises, as I had a lot of material already whirling about in my mind, I do think they are good exercises to help get you unstuck and into your characters minds. Having this to read as I went through the process, made me feel like I wasn't just sitting in my house, the library, the cafe, the office, the hockey rink, the bar, the wherever tapping away at an unachievable goal. It helped me feel like I was in the trenches with millions of others who have gone through this, and struggled with it too.
Finishing up the writing challenge soon and am on track to make it a reality. I do think this book gave me the morale boost and the camaraderie needed to finish the challenge. Thanks Chris!
The writing style is fun, pithy, easy to read, and easy to follow. The author feels relatable, while still realistic, and maintains a playfulness from beginning to end that helps lighten the mood to 50,000 word writing challenge. This book was not what I was looking for when I picked it up, but it was inspiring nonetheless. I had decided I wanted to do Nanowrimo in December, and wanted a book to give me a nice kick in the butt to get started. Unknowingly I picked up this book at a used book store, and it just so happened to be by the creator of Nanowrimo itself AAAAND was a companion style book for the 50,000 words per month goal. *Chef's Kiss*
The first few chapters provide considerations for before you start the writing process and then there is a chapter for each week of the month in Nanowrimo with specific insights, writing exercises, relatable struggles, inspiring quotes from others in the trenches. While I did not need a lot of the writing exercises, as I had a lot of material already whirling about in my mind, I do think they are good exercises to help get you unstuck and into your characters minds. Having this to read as I went through the process, made me feel like I wasn't just sitting in my house, the library, the cafe, the office, the hockey rink, the bar, the wherever tapping away at an unachievable goal. It helped me feel like I was in the trenches with millions of others who have gone through this, and struggled with it too.
Finishing up the writing challenge soon and am on track to make it a reality. I do think this book gave me the morale boost and the camaraderie needed to finish the challenge. Thanks Chris!
Displaying 1 of 1 review