NaNoWriMo

NaNoWriMo is a tradition in which an author sells their soul in the month of November. Okay, well, it doesn't just have to be November as there are NaNoWriMo camps in what... April and June, I believe. Anyway, the goal is to write an entire novel in just one month. As much as it sounds impossible, it is very much possible.

The thing is to just sit down and write. In October, you're supposed to plan as much as you can (if you do planning as a writer) so the next month, you're all ready to write it all out. Now, as easy as it sounds to write an entire book in a day, you sadly have to write about what, 1,500 words everyday and there seems to be no room for writer's block. You're not supposed to worry about grammar and that's when the grammar nazi in me cringes.

To Prepare in October:

The main thing you want to do in October is prepare. This would mean that you get your basic plot, and your Main Character and side characters names and quite possibly personalities (I wait until the character shows me their personality, but to each their own). I'd come up with the basic outline and names of towns so I wouldn't get caught up writing about them and think of all my main scenes and their descriptions.

All in all, NaNoWriMo is a learning experience. You either sit and are dedicated or you don't and the goal isn't met. I envy the people who can sit and on day 16, their novel is complete. That is not something I personally can do, but still! Congratulate them.

If you're participating in April for Camp NaNoWriMo, good luck!