I’ve joined NaNoWriMo.  If you don’t know what Nano is go to their website.  The point is to sit down and get your novel written.  50,000 words in the month of November.  50,000 words sounds like a lot of words.  But like an elephant, let’s break it down.  There are 30 days in November, that means I need an avg. of 1,667 words per day.  That’s not that much. On avg. 250 words fit on a page.  That means 1,667 words equal to about 7 pages  (double spaced).  I’m counting on perfect days here, not real ones where work and family require my full attention.

Don’t get nervous.  Let’s think it through.  I’m not talking about 7 perfect pages, formatted, spell checked, and edited.  I’m talking about 7 pages of solid writing.  Writing without looking back and questioning what you’ve already put on the page.  Writing sessions marked by getting your stuff together and putting your backside in the chair and just write.  The idea is to get the story down on paper.

Now, that kind of intense writing will not happen on it’s own.  Full disclosure, I’ve never actually finished NaNo.  I’ve only attempted it once, and one summer camp session. 🙂  There is a bit of work that must be done before you sit down in the chair Nov. 1.  At least I need a plan.

My Amazing NaNoWriMo plan of attack:

• Get to know your characters.  Check. My NaNo project is book 2, to the book I just edited.  Most of my characters have migrated over.  I did have to come up with a handful of new characters and pulled a minor character up to the big leagues. I’m sure new faces will pop up when I start to write, I’ll face that monster when I have to.
• Plan your book.  Obviously, if you’re a pantster skip this step.  I created a cross between an outline and a flow chart.  It covers a little back story and the highlights of the book.  There’s enough wiggle room to add necessary scenes as I write.  It’s more of a guide to help me write.
• Research.  I don’t know what your story is about, but mine had me doing quite a bit of research.  I have sites/articles pinned on Pinterest, I have printed out sheets in a folder, I even have websites/groups bookmarked.  As long as the FBI understands I am a writer, all should go well.  I don’t want to  stop mid-writing session to look up how long a person has to live after being stabbed in the kidney.

Now, after all the ‘real’ work is done.  I still have a little housekeeping to take care of before I type in my first 1,667 words.

My Super Awesome NaNoWriMo Necessities:

• Chocolate.  Dark, Milk, Semi-sweet I don’t care, I love them all.  I have a stack of Halloween candy, that may or may not actually make it to the little Trick-or-Treaters.  Of course, my kids will have plenty to share.  I know from marathon quilting sessions that a sugar rush is essential.  Having them close at hand keeps you in the chair longer.  If you get up, there’s a greater chance that the word count won’t be met.
• Snacks.  This goes with the above.  Small snacks that can be eaten without too much mess.  You don’t want the keyboard to get sticky.  No candy apples….or spaghetti.
• Music. Make sure you have your music set to shuffle and keep them coming.  You don’t want to get up and change the record…or CD.
• Water. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

And more chocolate.

Another hint- Turn off the phones and social media notifications while you are writing.  The less outside distractions the better.

So there you go.  That’s my plan for NaNoWriMo.  Let’s jump over and look at my Row80 goals.