#national novel-writing month

[rozmorris]

Could you draft a novel in a month? Here’s how to nail NaNoWriMo

This post was originally written for the Writers & Artists Yearbook blog. I included it in a Nanowrimo roundup post and got a note to tell me the link was dead. So here it is, live and kicking. November is National Novel-Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo. If you haven’t come across it before, it’s a worldwide cyber-event where writers tie themselves to their keyboards and aim to bash out 50,000 words…

View On WordPress

#first draft #how to plan a novel #NaNoWriMo #National Novel-Writing Month #outlining #pantsing #Planning #planning a novel #prewriting #research #write a novel in 30 days

[altamont498]

Reblogs to improve sample sizes would be greatly appreciated.

#writing #amwriting #writeblr #national novel writing month #writers #writers on tumblr #writers of tumblr #writerblr #polls

[keepcalmandwritefiction]

If you need motivation to hit your NaNoWriMo word count, then I want you to write as if these guys will finish your story for you if you don’t write it fast enough. (x)

#nanowrimo #national novel writing month #writeblr #fiction #fiction writing #writing motivation #kcawf original #image description in alt text #1k notes

[kjscottwrites]

Okay, so as a counterpoint to this survey >>>

#writeblr #writeblr poll #poll #tumblr polls #productivity #studyblr #academia #studyblr poll #nanowrimo #national novel writing month

[todayontumblr]

#today on tumblr #nanowrimo #writers of tumblr #writblr #nano 2023 #nanowrimo 2023 #national novel writing month #nanowrimo prep #nanowrimo tips #writerblr #writing community #writing prompt #writing inspiration #my writing #writing tips #creative writing #writeblr #writers on tumblr #writer

[writers-hq]

WHY IS WRITING IS SO FUCKING HARD?

Ten types of fuckery that stop you from writing the thing:

1. Imposter syndrome

You think you're not good enough or everyone else is better than you and you're just winging it AKA ye olde imposter syndrome bullshit. Yeah nah you're fine. No really, you're exactly where you need to be right now, and you'll keep getting better and better so long as you don't stop. Chances are, if you're filled with doubt about your abilities it means you've actually improved to the point where you can really start to understand what makes good writing. It means you know where you wanna end up and goshdarn it you're gonna get there.

Read this: 4 tips to kick imposter syndrome in the face and also genitals

And also this: How to silence the inner critic

2. Fear of rejection and/or failure

Yeah, us too. It fuckin sucks. BUT. Not all rejections are equal. And rejection is a necessary part of the process. Sometimes it takes a rejection to realise that a story isn't ready. Sometimes a rejection is entirely subjective and has ZERO reflection on the quality of your work. But shying away from the very idea of possibly maybe hypothetically getting rejected is only going to hold you back from even trying. And knowing why you got rejected and how to learn from it is one of the most valuable writing skills.

Read this: The different types of rejection (and how to deal with 'em)

Then read this: How to cope with rejection

And also this: Writing lessons from Groundhog Day

3. Not enough planning / too much planning

Leaping into a new story with nothing but a glimmer of an idea is exciting as heck (and can sometimes be a great way to begin) but at some point you're gonna need some sort of outline or plan to keep you on track. HOWEVER. Planning your story to within an inch of its life can also sometimes be a hindrance - leaving you stuck in the hypothetical stage of the process where your story doesn't quite exist yet (and therefore avoiding the prospect of it sucking). The sweet spot is in the middle. Having just enough of a plan to know where tf you're going, but enough freedom and flexibility to let the story lead the way...

Read this: Planning vs pantsing

Then read this: Five plotting techniques

And also this: The perils of overplanning

4. Your WIP just isn't working

Sometimes things just fall flat. Sometimes you work on the same story for yeeeeears and then it just kinda... dies. Sometimes you have the best plans (see above) and the best intentions and things still don't work out. Sometimes it's just time to move on. And sometimes it's not! Sometimes a story can be revived, fixed or changed. Sometimes you just need time. Sometimes YOU'RE the one that's changed and this isn't the story you need to be writing right now. Many variables. Muchly personal. Read the things below for more advice cos this is a big question:

Read this: What to do when your WIP isn't working

And also this: Give it space - how to grow a story in your head

Or how about this? Editing 101

5. You keep deprioritising it

Ah the irony of writing being the thing you love/want to do most of all AND YET the thing you procrastinate over and avoid and shove to the very bottom of your to-do list all the freakin' time. Maybe it's the comodification of art destroying our freedom to create without pressure. Maybe it's late capitalism sucking up all our available time and energy. Maybe it's a lack of self-belief subconsciously telling us our 'little hobby' doesn't really matter. Maybe it's maybelline. Whatever it is, you have the power to reclaim and revalue your writing. To say, "I'm a fucking writer, goddamnit!" and mean it. To ringfence your creative time so nothing and nobody gets to interrupt it. To do that thing you love.

Read this: Prioritise your writing

Read this: How to write in 30 second bursts

6. Shiny Thing Syndrome

You know that feeling when you're just getting stuck into a writing project and then — SQUIRREL! — you get distracted by another, better, more shiny writing project? Or maybe you're deep in the editing phase and your current WIP just isn't feeling very shiny at all and pretty much ANYTHING seems more exciting? Or you simply can't decide which of the many squirrelly writing ideas to actually start? You, fine writerperson, may be suffering from Shiny Thing Syndrome (STS). But fear not! There are a few ways to combat it, depending on the cause, and most of them involve embracing the squirrel-brain and injecting a bit of fun into your writing, like so:

Read this: Shiny thing syndrome - a writer's malady

Aaaand read this: Get excited about your writing again

And also this: Write like a kid

7. Perfectionism/self-sabotage

Look. Writing is scary as shit. What if someone READS it? What if they don't like it? What if they see into your soul and gain a deeper understanding of you through your words? Writing your truth, being vulnerable, smearing your heart juice all over the page? No thank you. But also, that's where the good shit is, so actually yes please. Just make sure you smear responsibly. And rest assured, even the most 'successful' and experienced writers ALSO feel like this sometimes, so you're in good company. It's just part of the art, bruh.

Read this: Why writing is scary (and why that's a good thing)

Read this: Beginning a story - what stops us starting?

And also this: Get out of your own way

8. The dreaded blank page

Oh godddd the blank page. It should be an exciting palimseset of possibility but is somehow also the most terrifying thing known to humankind. You wanna write something but where to start? HOW to start? You type that first line and immediately delete it. You watch the cursor blinking at you—taunting you—until you just give up and shut your laptop again. It's probably tied up with a bunch of things we've already covered so far: perfectionism, imposter syndrome, fear of failure, maybe a lack of planning or faith in your story or whatever. But it doesn't have to be this way. A blank page IS exciting and full of possibility. We just have to get over ourselves and learn to embrace the unknown...

Read this: Don't fear the blank page

And also this: The moaning method

9. Not enough time/energy/motivation/gnuuuughh

Dude, same x 1000. But you don't have to get up at 5am, do hot yoga, drink a kale smoothie and write a thousand words before sunrise to be a Proper Writer. You don't even have to write every day. But what you can do is hack your writing brain and figure out when, where, how, and why you write most effectively. Then tweak your schedule, your habits, and your attitude to ensure you're making the most of your time. Productivity is a big ol' lie but finding the secret to getting in your own personal writing zone is actual MAGIC.

Read this: Maximise your writing time

And also this: Get in the writing zone

And also unto this: The Writers' HQ Guide to Productivity

10. You're just fucken stuck

Got the writing morbs? In need of some literary sudafed? Stuck as a pig in a poke? Writing is a whole puzzle of a process—and to be honest that's what makes it so fun and exciting and addictive, because your writing brain is hardwired to both create AND solve the wordy puzzles within your story. Sometimes the answer is time. Sometimes it's a second opinion or a fresh eye. Sometimes a totally different approach or just a hefty kick up the bum. But whatever the problem, there IS a solution. You just gotta keep going and trust that you'll find it...

Read this: Troubleshoot your writing - why are you stuck?

And also this: Break through the writing blockage

And also also this: Write yourself into a pit (and then dig your way out again)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Alright, that's it for today. Now go write, you flithy animals.

(And if we missed anything, stick a question in our ask box or check out the rest of our shit here)

#writing #writing advice #writers of tumblr #writeblr #writing community #writers community #writing life #creative writing #national novel writing month #nanowrimo #nanowrimo 2022 #imposter syndrome #perfectionism #writer's block #writers block #writer things #procrastination #productivity #writer problems #blank page #the blank page #WIP #pantser #editing #plotting

[so-many-ocs]

this national novel writing month i will be showing my love of the craft by not writing a single word. not even a text message

#🌿 writing #nanowrimo #national novel writing month #writeblr #writing memes #writer memes

[novlr]

There is no such thing as a truly original idea

Embrace your genre tropes. They’re what excite readers. You won’t be the first to use them, nor will you be the last. It’s how you use them that makes your work unique.

#writeblr #tropes #genre tropes #national novel writing month #writers #creative writing #writing #writing community #writers of tumblr #creative writers #writing inspiration #writerblr #writing tips #writing advice #writing resources #writer #writers on tumblr #writers and poets #writer things #writing quick tips #tips for writers #nano 2023 #nanowrimo #nanowrimo 2023

[mini-and-mighty]

Making NaNoWriMo memes > actually finishing my outline

#nanowrimo 2023 #nanowrimo #writer #writeblr #national novel writing month #memes #im a plantser

[somerandomblog69]

Welcome to the shitshow, fellow writers! Ready to suffer another November together?

Here's another November 1st meme to really set the tone

#writer blog #writerscommunity #writerblr #indie writer #writers of tumblr #national novel writing month #nanowrimo #nano 2023 #writers #writer #writers block #writers on tumblr #writeblr #writing

[gwen-tolios]

How I've Won NaNo - Rebel Style

National Novel Writing Month - NaNo - is an event in November where writers aim to write 50K words towards the first draft of a novel. But the traditional way doesn't work for everyone! This is my 14th NaNo, and here are ways I've won other than 50K on a novel.

50K of fanfic

50 hours spent editing a novel

Completing an editing pass of a 68K novel

Completing a novella (30-50K)

50 hours of brainstorming characters, worlds, plots in an effort to refill a dry well

Get Her Done - lining up a list of WIPs and completing as many as possible, adding anywhere from 5K to 25K words to a story

Yes, traditionally you win NaNo by writing a brand-spanking new novel, holding aloft your 1st draft at midnight Dec 1st. But there are so many other ways to win! The goal is to make progress on a writing project, whatever that may be.

#nano #nanowrimo #national novel writing month #nano rebel #writing #writeblr #writing community #writing advice

[wordscount]

This was in my head and I had to make it.

#nanowrimo #national novel writing month #camp nanowrimo #camp nano #writing #writer #author #arrested development meme #writing meme #writing memes #writer memes #writer meme #writers of tumblr #writblr #writeblr

[altamont498]

Shout out to the people not doing Inktober, Flufftober, NaNoWriMo, etc. this year (or any year) for whatever reason.

Because they have prior work commitments (retail/service can be hell this time of year).

Because they’re too busy with school work or exam prep.

Because they’re dealing with chronic conditions and illnesses.

Because they have poor mental health and want to prioritise that.

Have other personal priorities and commitments.

Because they have no ideas or are between projects.

Because they don’t have energy.

Because they just don’t bloody well want to thank you very much.

You aren’t any less valid as an artist/writer/creator, and can’t/shouldn’t be pressured into doing anything you don’t want to do or made to feel bad about it.

This list is not intended to be exclusive or exhaustive, additions are welcomed.

P.S Not intended to be hate on anyone who does actually participate or enjoy these monthly challenges.

#nanowrimo #national novel writing month #flufftober #kinktober #inktober #writing challenges #writing #writers of tumblr #altamont498

[sometiktoksarevalid]

#cc #ryan la sala #authors #nanowrimo #national novel writing month

[kjscottwrites]

And if you've got any tips or tricks for managing these (especially as we go into nano month!), please add your best advice!

Also check out this companion poll!!

#writeblr #writeblr poll #poll #tumblr polls #productivity #studyblr #academia #studyblr poll #nanowrimo #national novel writing month

[todayontumblr]

Wednesday, November 1.

NaNoWriMo.

As one door closes, another door opens. So if you are feeling a little glum, a little blue, a little crestfallen this morning, as you pack your coffins, drone-controlled ghouls, pumpkins, and Normal Human Man costumes into the attic for another year, fear not. Because the passing of October 31st can only mean the arrival of November 1st. And the arrival of this date will be exciting and daunting news for y'all in Tumblr's writing community—it's #nanowrimo. 

Keyboards, touchscreens, typewriters, pens, and quills at the ready, folks. You've got 30 days to do 50,000 words. They are not going to write themselves. 

Good luck x

#today on tumblr #writblr #art #artists on tumblr #writers on tumblr #nanowrimo #nano 2023 #nanowrimo 2023 #nanowrimo prep #nanowrimo tips #writers of tumblr #national novel writing month #writerblr #writing community #nanowrimo23 #writing #writers #writing prompt #creative writing #writing inspiration #my writing #on writing #writer #writers block #writeblr #writing tips #writing advice