Countdown to NaNoWrimo: Helpful Do’s and Don'ts For Your Success

It’s finally here, tomorrow is the start of NaNoWrimo!

Most writers by now are familiar with this month long challenge to write a 50,000 word novel in thirty days.  But, if perhaps you are new to hearing about this strange acronym, which stands for National Novel Writing Month, click here to discover a whole new level of writing.

Last year was my first year as a Wrimo (that’s what the writer’s who participate in the challenge are nicknamed. I did not misspell Wino!) and I wanted to share with those of you who may be returning to the challenge or attempting it for the first time, things I learned from my experience.  

I’ve put together a list of my top do and don’t tips that helped me push through the challenge, and when November 30, 2010 arrived, I had completed the first rough draft of the second novel in my middle-grade series, The Clara Jeane Mysteries.  

Let’s explore:

The Unknown Author’s Top Four Do’s

Do set a writing goal each and every day: 

There are thirty days in November and when equally divided they equate to approximately 1,666.7 words a day.  Does that mean you have to write that many words a day?  

Absolutely not.  

In fact, in my first day, I wrote over 5,000 words.  But by setting a numerical goal you commit yourself to at least achieving, and in some cases, exceeding your daily goal.  I found there were some days I far exceeded my goal, which helped me on days when perhaps something arose or I just couldn’t muster the motivation (yes, unfortunately, you will have days like that).  

Go for it, you just may surprise yourself!      

Do allow yourself to freewrite:  

Recently, I wrote an article about the art of freewriting click here.  Basically, freewriting is a skill writers use to let their creative side have full reign when it comes to putting words to paper/screen; without allowing their critical side to interrupt and point out errors.   

So go ahead, ignore those misspelled words, incorrect commas and awkward sentences!  Remember the end goal is to write a 50,000 word novel in thirty days.  

Time for a did you know moment!  When Stephen King writes a new story he does so at full speed ahead, puts it away for six weeks, and then begins the rewriting process.   

Do take a break:

It’s vitally important for your mental health, and your physical health, to take a break.  Take a walk around the block, spend an hour a day at the gym or take time to find out how your loved one’s day went.  Whatever works for you to relieve stress or recharge your creative juices, do it! The writer’s life can tend to be a secluded one, but only if you allow it to!  

Do allow yourself to extend your word count by spelling out contractions!:

This tip is a fun one.  In fact, I discovered it through connecting with other Wrimo’s last year.  It was an eye opening experience for me to write out contractions.  I never realized how often they are used.  

Go ahead try it, it’s fun!

The Unknown Author’s Top Four Don’ts 

Don’t stop to edit along the way:

This tip goes hand in hand with allowing yourself to freewrite.  Don’t allow your self-editor to join in the NaNoWrimo fun.  They have plenty of work to do when it’s finished.  In fact, many months worth!  So let them go on vacation, they’ll need it! 

Don’t be afraid to write the end first or the beginning last:

Many writers, I for one, sometimes have the ending in mind before they even start to write a story.  If this happens to you, create a file folder with the title of your novel and within that folder have individual files of scenes that come to you as you write.  Then when it’s time to put it all together, it’s simply a matter of cutting and pasting.  I have written several novels this way and it is a time saving skill.  

Don’t get distracted by Twitter, Facebook or surfing the Net:

Actually, this tip works with or without NaNoWrimo.  Social networking has become a very important tool for writers to gain recognition, but at the same time, it has become a deterrence and often times an excuse not to write. 

Making the decision to write a novel in a month is a big decision for any writer, and even though there are no repercussions other than you fail the challenge if you don’t succeed, a lot can be said for self pride.

My mother was right when she used to say, “‘spend your time wisely.’” 

Don’t forget to thank family and friends for their support and understanding and most importantly don’t forget to eat turkey come the 24th! 

Unless you live in a household of writers, chances are the one’s closest to you, although they support your efforts, may not completely understand your deep seeded desire to write a novel in thirty days or what it takes to make your desire a reality.  

It does mean missing a dinner once in a while and many days turned to night and nights turned to day; holed up in a room creating a new world and bringing people to life through the strike of a keyboard or the stroke of a pen.  

But when all is said and done, no matter what, when November 24th arrives, sit down to a table surrounded by your family and friends and give thanks to them and their support.  And if you’re like me, you’ll give an extra thanks for the opportunity to live in a country where you have the freedom to seek your dreams and make them a reality.

Good luck fellow Wrimos, and if this year is not the year for you, hopefully, some of these tips will help you in your everyday writing.

Until next time,

Keep on thriving, keep on striving and keep on writing!

T.K. Millin

The Unknown Author

Character Development Part One: To Sketch or Not To Sketch?

If you were to ask any author where they get their ideas for characters from they’ll most likely tell you, “they just come to them when they write.”  However, if you were to ask them how they make their characters seem so real; they’ll most likely say, “because I write who I know.” 

 There are many techniques authors use to get to know their characters.  Some authors I know talk about how their characters have been “floating” around inside their head for some time (even years!) so they feel like old friends, some create characters by meshing together appearance and personality traits from actual people they know while others build their characters using character sketches.  I’ve even met an author (who has over 90 published books!) who told me they actually “interview” their main characters to “get inside their head.”  Is any one of these techniques the right way when it comes to developing characters?  In my opinion, I’d have to say no.  I believe whatever format an author uses to bring a character to life is the right way for that author.

 

Which technique does The Unknown Author use?  Actually, I have used a little of each of the techniques mentioned above, with the exception of an interview; however, I am open minded to the possibility!  In my writing experiences, I’ve found certain stories dictate how my characters are born.  Most the short stories I’ve written the characters have been inside my head knocking to come out and come alive, while the two novels I’ve written (both between 50K and 120K words) I used character sketches to develop my characters.  Why the difference?  For me, it’s because generally I write my short stories off the cuff and my novels I follow an outline (one reason being is editing and re-writing a 100,000 word manuscript can be a nightmare without one, but, we’ll discuss this in a future posting for this is a topic within itself!).  How about you, do you have a special technique when it comes to creating characters?

First, I think it’s important to point out that character development should be proportionate to the importance of each character.  In other words, you don’t want to write page after page of character description for an extra that shows up in Act Three and is never seen again and only have one paragraph for the Protagonist.  The same applies to your supporting cast versus characters that only have a bit part.  Otherwise, you run the risk of your main characters not acting consistently or realistically.   

What kind of attributes should you put in a main character’s character sketch?  A physical discription, their sex or perhaps educational and financial background?  Sure these types of attributes help to establish the character, but when it comes to bringing them to life they’re unimportant.  Let’s explore: 

Why is the color of eyes or hair unimportant?  Basically, when it comes to your protagonist it helps to eliminate physical appearance altogether, unless it is vitally important to establishing why they are the way they are.  Why?  Because did you know most readers like to actively put themselves in your protagonist’s shoes and picture them as the hero/heroine?  Think about the last book you read in which you had a vivid description of the protagonist?  Go back and reread the book and I bet you will find only a brief, if any, description of their physical appearance.  However, when it comes to secondary characters giving physical descriptions can help the reader keep track of who is who. 

How about sex?  (Okay all you Austin Power fans out there that’s not what I meant!) Unless you are using a name that could be cross gendered your reader will most likely get the picture.

 

What about their educational and financial background?  Again, unless it is important in establishing their backstory it’s probably not that important to your reader. 

So then, what kinds of attributes are important to add to a main character’s character sketch?  In my experience, the most important attributes I’ve found which help me as an author “write who I know” is their name, their flaw, the goal that motivates their actions and their history.  How about you, what attributes help you to get to know your main characters?

Next week, we’ll explore each of these attributes and why I have found them to be important in bringing my main characters to life!

Until then,

Keep on thriving, keep on striving and keep on writing!

T.K. Millin

The Unknown Author