It’s October—time for fall festivals, trick or treating, and hayrides. It’s also the time to begin the serious prep work for National Novel Writing Month (a.k.a., NaNoWriMo or NaNo). For pantsers like myself, planning is a four-letter word. However, even with pantsers, a certain amount of planning does occur. It just looks different. It may not be with fancy outlines or detailed character profiles. On the contrary, it likely will appear more abstract as in a broad idea of a plot or a vague idea of a character. Planning begins with a starting point. For pantsers, the starting point may be a random idea that once he/she begins to write manifests into a story with the plot unfolding for the author (pantser) as he/she writes without any preconceived concepts. Thus, even pantser can prep for NaNo without being disingenuous to their pantsering style.
So, how does one prepare without planning?
- Determining and setting goals. Many writers use word count as a goal. However, this does not have to be the case. One could designate completing a certain number of scenes or note the type of scenes to write. For example, someone writing a thriller may have written three action sequences as a goal. What those action sequences are comprised of may be unknown until the pantser sits at the computer and begins to write them.
- Doing the heavy lifting. If there’s any research that one knows will need to be done to complete a story, then now is the time to tackle that monster. Researching can open so many rabbit holes so fast that even Alice wouldn’t be able to find her way home. Pantsers may not know specifically what research they will need to do, but often, they will have a general idea. For example, if a pantser is writing a story in which the main character works on a ship, the writer will need to know something about ships (e.g., types of vessels, ship jargon, navigational systems, etc.). The pantser will be able to anticipate some of what he/she needs to know and can research it before beginning NaNo. It will free up writing time instead of beginning to write only to have to stop to go look something up. Been there, done that. Not only does this slow writing, it can remove the writer from his/her “zone.” When writing is flowing, interruptions can bring it all to a halt in a hurry.
- Finding support. On the NaNo website, there are opportunities to sign up for writing support groups. However, as with everything else in life, not all writing groups are created equally. Some may be more supportive or active than others. It may be beneficial to scout out the best writing groups for you before NaNo begins. This will help ensure that you will have a writing support group during NaNo.
- Psychological warfare. This is personal to me and may not be a “real” thing, but I’m including it on this list anyway. I suspect that I’m not the only person with this issue. It is well known that I have failed at NaNo each and every year that I have participated. I’m determined to break this trend. However, one of the biggest obstacles I have come to overcome is myself. Once November arrives, my writing mind goes blank. When I reflect on my writing history, there is no denying that November is consistently my least productive month of the year. And when I participated in Camp NaNo in July, it became my second least productive month. This is a tell-tell of a psychological block. I’m getting into my head and preventing myself from being successful. Therefore, in October, I need to mentally begin preparing myself for NaNo. This includes a lot of positive affirmations, creating a list of obtainable and objective goals, having an accurate daily measuring system, and clearing my schedule for designated times to write. It also includes making writing a priority in any and all free type. Thus, instead of scrolling Instagram at lunch, I use that time to write instead. I maintain a writing mind throughout the day, constantly thinking about the characters and plot. If I get stuck or bogged down, I mentally have to not let it block me from working on another aspect of the story. Basically, I use October to clad myself in my mental writing armor. And while I haven’t successfully completed NaNo yet, I do improve and get closer each year.
- Allow for setbacks. In the prepping phase, allot for setbacks and unexpecteds in your writing plan. When a house is being renovated, the budget should have a cushion for unexpected expenses. A person never knows what he/she will find once the walls are opened up. This can happen with writing. Last year, I was on target to meet my NaNo writing goals. Everything was going smoothly. Then, I had a car wreck that stole all my thunder, and I had to deal with all of that. During Camp NaNo this year, once again, I was on target to meet my writing goals when I had a computer crash which required putting my laptop in the shop. I never recovered from this setback. When making goals, factor in possible setbacks. For example, I now have a backup plan if I experience another computer crash.
- Measure success by what you do as opposed to what you don’t do. As I mentioned previously, I’ve never reached my ideal goal during NaNo. However, I dive my goals into measurable steps. Where I may not meet my overall goal, I do successfully complete many smaller subgoals. Be sure to include these subgoals in your writing plan.
- Order writing tools. I included this in my pre-prep Nano post that I posted in September. This is an important step for those who need it. For example, some writers find it helpful to read a hard copy of what they’ve written. Therefore, they will need to print their story, and to do this, printer ink is required. Some ink cartridges are harder to find in stores and will need to be ordered. In this day and time, shipping times can be lengthy. Additionally, there seems to be a shortage of many items. Waiting to purchase or obtain items that will be used during NaNo may hinder writing. Go ahead and cross these items off your list now so it won’t be an issue later.
That brings this post to a close. Now, it’s your turn to sound off. What did you think? What is your take on the subject? Do you agree or disagree? Did you find this information helpful or informative? Did you learn anything new, or did it change your opinion? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section. Also, let me know if you would like me to cover more of these types of topics or dive deeper into this one. If you like this post, please click the like button and share it. Your feedback allows me to know the content that you want to read. If you’re not following me on Creole Bayou blog, what are you waiting for? There’s always room at the bayou.
Get ready. It’s time to hit the ice again. Future Goals has arrived and is available.
When a college hockey player needs the help of an attractive older attorney, he gets more than he bargained for when trying to sort out the troubles in his career. Falling in love was never part of either man’s plan, especially as Corrigan’s and Sacha’s lives should never have collided. Now they’re left questioning if they’re standing in the way of the other’s future goals, or if there’s room for redirection.
Order your copy at:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RjPYb9
Other booksellers: https://bit.ly/3CI8d5W
Did you miss the first four books in my hockey romance series? No frets.
Out of the Penalty Box (book #1), where it is one minute in the box or a lifetime out, is available at http://amzn.to/2Bhnngw. It also can be ordered on iTunes, Nook, or Kobo. For more links on where to purchase or to read the blurb, please visit http://bit.ly/2i9SqpH.
Defending the Net (book #2) can be ordered at https://amzn.to/2N7fj8q or www.books2read.com/defending. Crossing the line could cost the game.
Ice Gladiators (book #3) is the third book in my Locker Room Love series. When the gloves come off, the games begin. Available at https://amzn.to/2TGFsyD or www.books2read.com/icegladiators.
Penalty Kill (book #4) retakes the ice. Get a copy at https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p or https://amzn.to/3ex0N9p and let the pucker begin.
For more of my stories, shenanigans, giveaways, and more, check out my blog, Creole Bayou, www.genevivechambleeconnect.wordpress.com. New posts are made on Wednesdays, and everything is raw and unscathed. Climb on in a pirogue and join me on the bayou.
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Until next time, happy reading and much romance. Laissez le bon temps rouler.
Author Bio
Genevive Chamblee resides in the Bayou country where sweet tea and SEC football reign supreme. She is known for being witty (or so she thinks), getting lost anywhere beyond her front yard (the back is pushing it as she’s very geographically challenged), falling in love with shelter animals (and she adopts them), asking off-the-beaten-path questions that make one go “hmm,” and preparing home-cooked Creole meals that are as spicy as her writing. Genevive specializes in spinning steamy, romantic tales with humorous flair, diverse characters, and quirky views of love and human behavior. She also is not afraid to delve into darker romances as well.
Creole Bayou 