How to Participate in NaNoWriMo

For some people November means turkey and pre-holiday shopping sales. But for many, November means NaNoWriMo, otherwise known as National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo happens every November. NaNo Novelists write 50,000-word novels in all sorts of different genres from mystery and fantasy to romance and historicals.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer or Alphasmart
• Dictionary and thesaurus
• Caffeine
• Favorite snacks

1. Sign up for NaNoWriMo at their website starting October 1. Starting November 1 you can begin writing your novel.
2. Brainstorm and outline your novel before November 1 rolls around. You are permitted to write up character descriptions and any other bits of inspiration that come into your head but you are not allowed to write any of your actual novel until the first of November.
3. Start writing your novel on November 1. Those that "win" NaNoWriMo suggest coming up with a daily word count to stick to, generally about 2,000 words.
4. Trust that your novel will change in story, characters, plot and just about anything else you can imagine. This is all part of the good fun that NaNoWriMo offers, so roll with it and just keep writing!
5. Meet with fellow NaNoWriMo writers in your area for word wars and other forms of caffeinated encouragement. This month of literary abandon will have you meeting some very interesting people.
6. Celebrate when you reach the 25,000-word mark because you are halfway there. Just keep writing towards that beautiful, beautiful finish line.
7. Finish your book by midnight, November 30 and submit it on the website to be officially counted. Be sure to order a free copy of your manuscript as a book, from the LuLu website.

Tips & Warnings

• Writing binges on the weekend are a great way to get ahead or catch up with your manuscript. Basically you try to write at least 5,000 to 10,000 words in a single day, taking 1 to 2 hour breaks in between your writing periods.
• NaNoWriMo has laptops they will gladly loan you (without internet access) for this project. Contact them early and ASAP if you want one as they go fast!
• Many schools and other organizations now participate in the NaNoWriMo project.
• Communities now have organized leaders called Municipal Liaisons. The MLs help to organize parties to christen the beginning of NaNoWriMo and a party at the end.
• The party at the end of NaNoWriMo is especially fun and is called Thank God It's Over. Try to make it to this one, even if you have missed other events they've held.