NANOWRIMO!!
This is my first year doing it, but I'm so stoked and I want to skip October (even if it means missing Halloween) so that it can start already. However, 50,000 words in one month is a lot. So, I've dedicated this post to helping you prepare for the battle that is NaNoWriMo. Usually, I'd give a super cool speech about showing no mercy and all that stuff like they do in the movies, but since I'm slightly short on time, I'll skip that part and go to the battle gear you'll need. I call it...
(drumroll, please...)
The NaNoWriMo Survival Kit! Here we go.
The NaNoWriMo Survival Kit
1. An assortment of writing utensils, or at least a keyboard.
I don't know about you guys, but I like to write my stories by hand before I type them. Writing is kind of like my draft, and then I type it and I do most of my editing there. However, most people find it easier to only type and I understand this, so you can substitute pens and pencils for a computer if you want.
2. Sticky notes!
Sticky notes are, like, the best thing ever. I love them because I can use them for pretty much anything. I plan on using them a lot during NaNoWriMo so that if I can outline my plot, record spur-of-the-moment ideas, and label pages or paragraphs I need to go back and fix later.
3. Notebooks
I have three writing notebooks, one for characters and plot, one for the story, and one for anything else I need to write down. I know many of you already have your writing journals, and good for you! Even if you are typing your story, it's a good idea to have things written down on paper too, because I know from personal experience (many, many times) that technology can be really mean sometimes (pause while I shed a few tears, thinking of all the things my computer has eaten and hasn't yet spit out).
Continue!
4. Candy, soda, or anything you can do to keep you awake during those late nights when you just have to finish that last paragraph.
I know we've all said it: "I promise I'll turn my lights off soon, just one last paragraph!" That last paragraph turns into a page, which turns into a chapter, which turns into the whole book. If we could stay awake long enough, we would write the whole novel in less that 24 hours. If you wish to attempt this, make sure you keep a stock of any kind of sugary substance you can get. I haven't begun stockpiling food yet, but I have a list of things I want out of the candy section.
5. Inspiration.
I have a whole book full of writing prompts, one full of drawings, and one full of quotes, all for the purpose of keeping me going. Sometimes when I'm working on a section where I just can't put my thoughts into words, these sources of inspiration are better than sugar (crazy, right? I couldn't believe it at first either.)
6. An awesome playlist.
Lindsey Stirling is basically my life outside of blogging. When I write, I listen to the soothing sound of her hip-hop violin (okay, not exactly soothing, but still really awesome). When you're writing, listen to music that you like. What you're writing can be affected by what you listen to, and music can help you out of many sticky spots.
6. A box to keep it all in!
Okay, you probably won't be able to fit it all in a box, but keep your favorite journals, pens, inspiration, etc. in your box so that it's all in one place. Mine is just an old Nike shoe box.
That's all for the NaNoWriMo Survival Kit! If you have anything you think should be in there, or happen to love Lindsey Stirling, comment and tell me!
Smiles,
Lydia
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