NaNoWriMo begins in less than two weeks. Everyone has been talking about novel prep all month long, myself included.
But when it comes to prepping for NaNo, it doesn’t have to be all about your novel. That sounds weird, I know. But there are plenty of other things to think about for the month of November.
Writing Space
Where are you going to spend the majority of your time writing? In your office? Your bedroom? Maybe sitting in your living room or porch? Maybe, depending on where you are in the world, you’ll lounge outside.
If you’re going to be sitting somewhere like your desk, make sure that it’s cleared off. Give yourself plenty of room for your laptop, a notebook, a few pens, your mug filled with your drink of choice, etc.
Time
Clear your calendar or at least organize it. Plan our your social obligations, let everyone know you’ll be busy each day between this time and that time. You can get your writing time in and you can also continue to be social so people know you’re alive.
Food
Stock up on your food supplies. Coffee or tea, chocolate, dinner, everything. You may or may not forget to go food shopping.
Clothes
Wash any comfortable clothing you have now. Get that out of the way so you can kick back with your laptop and lounge in your pajamas while writing.
Blog Posts/Work/School
If you have any work to do now, get it done. Any school assignments that you know will be due during the month? Get it done.
Plan, write and schedule your blog posts for November as well. This will leave one less thing for you to do. Because, let’s face it… after writing your novel, you’re not going to want to look at words anymore much less the computer screen.
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
I have been trying to catch up on blog posts and get ahead with both it and YouTube, and for the most part I’ve succeeded. Still got a lot to do though. 🙂 Great tips!
I hear ya… I’ve been trying to get way ahead with my blogging as well. It’s not easy running two blogs and then some, lol.
I can’t imagine running two blogs. I have difficulty with one, but it also used to be a lot easier when I was on third shift. Since switching to second shift? Ugh! Forget it. Still working out schedule kinks.
It’s hard, definitely. Even just the one blog is. I mean, between the two blogs I write 11 posts a week. But it’s a lot of fun. 🙂
I bet! That’ll probably be me in a couple years. 😉
It’s worth it in the long run. 🙂
Good reminder, that I’d better clear all those To Do tasks off my desk now instead of later. Good luck with your prepping!
Though I sometimes feel like the to-do list grows as opposed to shrinks… Lol.
Yes, it does seem to. And now I have to-do piles of papers and such to deal with. It’s a huge mess on my desk.
You and me both.
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
Reblogged this on Speedy Reader and commented:
In keeping with my Nano Prep stories, here’s one from Rachel Poli about some non-writing ways to prepare.
Jumped over from the Ape’s reblog, where I left the following comment:
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“I’ve made no secret of my dislike of writing to somebody else’s drumbeat – it would shut me down quicker than a bad bout of the flu. Oddly, I still love to read about how others manage it – so thanks for sharing.”
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GREAT tips here, Rachel, for ANY project, but I have one big question: why November?
Even if I COULD write effectively and with pleasure with the NaNo gun in my back, the timing would never work for me, Christmas Elf that I am. Having to do all my holiday prep in October or rush to do it the first week of December and have one less week to enjoy my decorations would suck all the joy out of it for me. I wonder if that stops others from participating.
IF I were to attempt it (and I doubt I will), the months of winter where I am [mostly] confined inside anyway would certainly be my preference — February, perhaps?
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
Thanks, I’m glad you liked the post!
As for the November bit… I don’t know, I’ve always wondered that myself. Everyone has work or is in school during that time and then, of course, there are the holidays. It might just be an end of the year kind of thing. But there are also Camp sessions in April and July which are pretty popular.
Great tips.
I’ve done a few posts about NaNo prepping that mostly concern time management, attitude toward your final product, and coming next, how to make it a special month with habits and the company one keeps.
When it comes to food, I have to cook from scratch, it’s a habit and personal taste thing.
Those are good posts and tips! Time management is so important when it comes to NaNo as is loving your project.
Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Here is another helpful post from Rachel Poli’s blog to help you prepare for NaNoWriMo.
If only I could take a month off school. 😉
Right? That would be awesome.
I think I should get a fridge and kettle in my room then I could live in there without having to leave my room. Hit 100K haha!
Right? That’d be great! Lol.
Great tips!
Thank you!