NaNoWriMo
November is here and the NaNoWriMo challenge is underway for many aspiring and seasoned authors alike. Don't think you can write a first draft in a month? Well, you don't know until you try!
Why not head over to NaNoWriMo central and sign up at www.nanowrimo.org to get some writely support, hints and tips or pencil in your diary for another month of frantic scribbling instead.
If you're stuck at the starting line and dream of writing a novel but don't know what to write about then why not try an online plot generator such as Reedsy's new webpage which can be found at www.reedsy.com. It will generate characters and plot lines for you to mould into your own story or at least get some ideas to spring into action.
Write down a rough plotline to work to in order to give you focus, but don't get stuck in the finer details. The last thing you need when trying to flesh out a first draft quickly is to be sat staring into space because you can't decide what to name your spacecraft or the cafe where your lovers meet for the first time. Remember, your first draft is like a diamond in the rough. There will be glints of brilliance and beauty in it, however, it's the job of editing once you've completed it to cut and polish it into something truly dazzling.
If you find your flagging along the way, why not try a writing sprint? Put your phone on silent, shut down the internet and set a timer for 30 minutes. Just try and write about your day or how you're feeling to get yourself into the writing flow. Writing prompts are also a good way to generate ideas or just to get something onto the page and find your writing mojo. If you're not already on Twitter, download the app and start following people using the #writingcommunity hashtag. Several writers on Twitter post photos and writing prompts to get the creative juices flowing.
To get those words on the page, mark your daily word count into a calendar and make time for it. Fantasy may be your thing, but if you don't turn up each day to work on your draft, there will be no fairy or imaginary scribe writing it all for you. Typing 'The End' is the most magical experience for any writer and one that's well worth putting in the time and effort to get to.
Comments