Any Tips for NaNoWrimo Success?

1. 58

   cteshomeposted 14 years ago

   Hey guys, I'm looking for tips on success! As a first year contestant, I really am having a hard time keeping it together. I have a very detailed way of thinking and can't stop going back and checking for errors! LOL.
   
   Anyway, post your tips on managing your time, strategies on developing your characters or plot, or just anything that works for you!
   
   My first tip:
   
   Definitely write more than 1700 words a day and try not to focus on the details. You can edit in details later!

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2. 0

   Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

   I am doing my best to keep writing more than 1,000 words a day but it is hard when I get distracted lol
   
   A good tip that everyone seems to do is outline the setting, yur characters, and your plot.  That doesn't work for me though.....I have a writing journal and a small notebook taht i write ideas as they come to me. Keeping a journal at home and a small notebook in your purse so if an idea hits while you are out is always a good idea.
   
   And ct...this is my first time too. When you feel like everything is crashing down, just step back, take a deep breath, and then tackle it again.

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   lynnechandlerposted 14 years ago

   I have a hub on NaNo preparation but not survival while doing nano.
   
   I would take CW's advice and just take a break from it. Dance around the house, take a warm bath, get a little sleep and see what happens.

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      Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I haven't danced around the house yet hmmm ;lol:

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4. 63

   Gemsongposted 14 years ago

   I don't know if this is a viable tip but hear are a couple things I do to keep me going. I give myself incentives to reach my daily goal. Also known as bribes.
   
   1) If I'm having troule focusing I play a game. Since I love the forums so much I use them as a bribe. I have to write at least a sentence for each thread I read. If I want to post a reply I have to write at least a paragraph.
   
   2) I set a prize for myself at the end of the month. There is an out of print book that I was able to find and buy. I can't read it until I hit 50k.
   
   3) I don't use contractions. My characters sound funny but it does add to the word count. Two words instead of one.
   
   4) write numbers as words. 1998 becomes one thousand nine hundred ninety eight. Six words instead of one.
   
   5) Some people have to write events in order. When I find myself blocked I write a quick paragraph on what the scene should be and then move to something that interests me.
   
   6) My friends love to IM me. That can break your flow easily. But very helpful in tough sections. For every message I have to write a sentence before responding.
   
   7) When in doubt, kill someone. I just killed my former boss. I feel so much better now.
   
   8) Detail anything. If someone is eating breakfast detail what they are eating, where they are eating and where it came from.
   
   Okay so that was more than a couple tips. I tend to babble. I'm on year 6 of Nano and my first week is proving to be a little rough.

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5. 58

   cteshomeposted 14 years ago

   These are absolutely wonderful tips. "When in doubt, kill someone." That is awesome! I'm going to kill someone today, you're absolutely right. Can definitely move the plot forward!
   
   Hey LC, why not make it easy for me and post a link. LOL.
   
   Crazd, you're right, I have had to take a MAJOR step back. We'll see what happens.
   
   Thanks guys.

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6. 69

   Blogging Erikaposted 14 years ago

   I highly recommend Chris Baty's book, "No Plot? No Problem!"  It will be really helpful to you, even at this stage of the game!  (The month is long.  You will want the help!)

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      cteshomeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      SOUNDS like a good book! I'll see if I can grab a copy. You're right, the month is long. This weekend I have to just sit down and write it out. Thanks!

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         Gemsongposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I bought Chris Baty's book a couple years ago. It is my bible. Highly recommended. I actually have him as a buddy on my profile. He aways has a slow start but kicks in at the end.
         
         And remember:
         
         "When you stop writing, a fairy dies."

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            cteshomeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            LOL! Wow, I've never heard it quite put like that before. A fairy dies. Well, hopefully not because I've been writing ALL day.

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   Its Angelposted 14 years ago

   No plot no problem is a great book. It has helped me a lot.

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   Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

   I love it Gemsong...I read through yours and was like yep yep yep I do that that and that lol i have a prize I want after I am done so I have to get my butt in gear

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   Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

   I have the book sitting on my coffee table, haven't opened it this year yet
   
   I didn't do any writing at all last night, I had a stressful day. But...this weekend I will be in overdrive.

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      Gemsongposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I'm rooting for you UW!

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    cindyvineposted 14 years ago

    I had a good Sunday, so I'm sitting on about 9800 words.  My hot tip, just write whatever comes into your head and sort it out later.  Set aside a time where you must not be disturbed so you can write.  And when you have no distractions make the most of it and write....write....write.  Once you get involved in your story, nothing will stop you!

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       Uninvited Writerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       That's what I'm doing

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       cteshomeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       You're right. I can't quite get involved for some reason. I feel kind of detached like I'm the third person. I dunno. I'll get my groove back eventually. Honestly, I think I edited the prologue so badly, I can't move forward without feeling like something is amiss. Maybe I should just start over!
       
       Hey Gemsong, what happens to the fairies if you start over?

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    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    Oh Gemsong don't say that..that is just cruel poor fairies.  I do believe in fairies I do I do I do!!

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    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    Good job everyone...no writing for me today since I was on my feet all day my back is killing me so I couldn't concetrate and then this weekend friends are coming up so no writing...I'll be doing a lot of writing on Monday that is for sure.

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    Gemsongposted 14 years ago

    If you start over a fairy is fed to a venus flytrap.
    
    Just kidding. I collected some nano calendars to put on my desktop to motivate me to write every time I turn on the laptop. This is the one I have up currently. Note day 23.
    
    http://www.nataliekirk.com/nanowrimo/Na … 24x768.jpg

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    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    ew eaten by venus flytraps. lol you are so mean to the poor fairies Gemsong.
    
    And I need to write in my writing planner that way I'll stay on track with my writing.

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    Gemsongposted 14 years ago

    I am a cruel and evil person. No one likes me for good reason. I kick puppies and eat babies. Or was that eat puppies and kick babies. I can never remember so I do both.
    
    This year for nano I decided to finish the book I started in last year's nanowrimo. The story is done. Now to start the sequal.
    
    I am staring at a blank page. Kill me now.

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       Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       LMAO you are too funny Gemsong and hey look at that blank page and say yea no you aren't going to run me I am going to run you. So here are my words and you'll like 'em lol

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    Uninvited Writerposted 14 years ago

    I am just typing what comes into my head. It's probably crap but I don't care. Getting a first draft down will be good. I might be cheating but mine is very autobiographical.

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       Crazdwriterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I'm with you...no idea if my stuff is any good but hey it's fun to write and to just get done lol

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    anonymous82posted 14 years ago

    Wow...I just joined NaNoWriMo, and I'm already out of steam!  How do you do it?
    Gemsong:  Thanks for posting the tips!  They're very helpful.

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    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    wow really sad first post and it's about stupid farmville on facebook? We're talking about something MORE important than a stupid game.

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    Gemsongposted 14 years ago

    Games are evil. The siren lure of Wizard 101 calls to me now and away from writing.

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    Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

    Don't listen Gemsong don't listen. Turn of the net like I said and you'll be just fine

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