How to prepare yourself for NaNoWriMo

‘Tis the season to be writing! NaNoWriMo is here, and I hope plenty of you are buckled down and ready. Some of you have done this before, while others are new and nervous.

No matter the case, I have a preparation list that will help you get a handle on your schedule and your messy life (unless you’re just awesome at all of that). From there, we’ll tackle the good stuff and get your book ready to write.

Step 1: lay out your schedule

Whether you’re a single parent or a couch potato (or anything above, below, or in between), you have things that need to get done each day. Create a list of things that absolutely must be done throughout the month, then create another one for things that should be done but can wait if necessary.

Whether you schedule everything on a calendar (phone or paper), a to-do list, use alarms, or even just put sticky notes throughout the house, you can prioritize the things that you can’t forget about. I use task lists and the calendar, both on my phone. It’s near me at all times, so it’s easy when I go to my home screen to see what I need to do throughout the day. Anything time-restricted goes on my calendar so I can get the reminder.

To-do lists, either in a spiral agenda or on your phone screen, can serve as great reminders. Screenshot | Cayce Berryman

After you establish what must be done and what can be done, figure out when your free time is. Whether you’re scheduling that 1,667 words per day or pushing it up to more words per day so you can take care of what’s really important (like your kids’ homework or your dog’s vet appointment), it will help to establish your priorities and needs. Save yourself the surprise.

Make sure it’s realistic for you to take part in NaNoWriMo

When you do all that, you can not only figure out if taking part in NaNoWriMo is realistic for you, but you can also have a plan of attack if you do take the challenge.

Set up backup goals

Plan to write ahead if possible, or plan for a larger word count than you really want to ensure success. Few things go according to plan, so ensuring you have a backup plan or an overachieving plan will help you stay on track.

Being realistic about your schedule is important when it comes to adding on a new thing, even if it’s just for a month. If you try too hard to take part in something new, it can drain you and possibly prevent you from finishing it. So be realistic with yourself, and if you can set aside that time to write, it’s time to make it count with the next tips.

Step two: what are you writing?

When you sign up for NaNoWriMo, you are asked for a summary of your project. This is a good way to know what your story is about, but the more you can write down, the more you can write instead of plan.

Listen here, pantsers

Planning isn’t for everyone. I’d know. I’m a pantser. But just because you’re a pantser doesn’t mean you can’t prepare your book for this grand event. Here’s an article that details different uses for outlines and note-taking that might help, but if you can at least get a few things written out in detail, you might find it easier to write the story instead of trying to figure out who or what you’re writing about.

These are just some of the things you can take care of before November 1 to help you progress throughout the month:

• character sketches (main and secondary if possible)
• story summary or outline
• planned plot points, conflicts, solutions, and possible beginnings/endings
• the purpose of your story or theme you want to address
• where your character starts, where they reach the climax, and how the story will end (this might change, of course)
• setting sketches or designs
• notes and research on the world, time period, or area
• timeline

Research helps, too

Sometimes it’s as simple as getting the research you know you’ll need out of the way. Create bookmarks, take your notes, and fill out character sheets. Even if you can’t plot out your novel, you can at least jot down the information you know you’ll need as opposed to spending hours you need for writing doing tons of rabbit-hole research.

I have an entire folder bookmarked with information on my book’s era and even on the things that allow my character to live their life every day. It helps to go down those rabbit holes first. It’s easier to pull up the information you already dug up as opposed to searching for it while trying to reach that word count.

Step three: daydream

Sounds funny, but see if you can daydream your book a bit. Play it out like a movie in your head. Not everyone can do this, but if you can, it might help you come up with a long and elaborate synopsis, which will be a great guide moving forward.

Step four: find your accountability partner/group

If you don’t start off with a group or partner, you’ll likely regret it. When you share the excitement with someone, you can talk about your book and theirs, which serves as its own writing motivation. The NaNoWriMo website offers help in that area, but if you need more help, join one offered on Facebook, Twitter, Discord, or Twitch.

Step five: fall cleaning

While it’s difficult to add more tasks to an already busy schedule, remember that you are trying to do that by participating in NaNoWriMo. If possible, practice your new schedule a week or two before November 1, or even just do it today. Use that extra time to clean your house, finish laundry, get ahead in your project at work, pay your bills, etc.

Doing things ahead of time will not only give you a clean slate (and home) so you’re not spending day one thinking of your to-dos, but it will also help you get in the good habit of productivity. Early.

Step six: take a breath and review everything

Did you set aside enough time to write? Did you give yourself time for a break? Is your writing time a good time or just a convenient one? Is there a way to put it in a better time slot?

You have a lot to look at when you’re reviewing your notes, groups, and schedule, but breathe while you’re doing it. You’re almost ready, and after everything looks good and you’re nervous and excited to start, smile, drink some tea or coffee, and bask in your preparedness.

Step seven: get excited

Jam out to writing playlists that you prepared for this day. Party with one last glass of wine before swearing it off to improve your writing productivity. Look at your plot points and daydream some more, or stack up your movie playlist alongside your music playlist in preparation for motivation day.

Do it all or do nothing. But now that you’re ready, congratulations! You’ve taken the first step to finishing a book in thirty days.