Prep for NanoWriMo NOW

Yes, I know September just got here. Yes, I know that NanoWriMo is two months away. And yes, I get that you are a pantser. But if you really want to be ready to hit the ground sprinting, you need to plan NOW.

So, what I am about to share with you is my simple planning process that I started last month. Yep. In August (I am a project manager so I can’t help it). Anway, let’s review the basic things you should do to get ready:

1. Choose your tools: I prefer to use Scrivener to plan my book but you can use anything you like, including Word or a notebook. Scrivener helps me set up my characters and my world and I can import my notes, too.
2. Determine your project: By this I mean the direction of your book. I like to start with the title. Some people do this last, but the title inspires me; makes me think the book is real. Here are the other items I typically document:
   • Protagonist – Who is this and what do they want? You don’t have to name them right away but you need to have a goal; both internal and external
   • Antagonist(s) – Who is this or what is it? How does he/she/it antagonize the protagonist? What is the goal?
   • Setting – Where is this taking place? If you have to build a world then you definitely should start early.
   • Concept – Write down what the story is about. What’s the idea? This will be used to build the premise.
   • Premise – Write down the specifics of your idea.
3. Do your research: Since we are a few months out there is plenty of time for this. if your book is historical, start gathering data you can use for your backstory, setting and the voice. The same goes for contemporary, especially if you are writing MG or YA and you are over 21. You need to know how kids talk and think. Find some gems you can use in vivid descriptions like clothing, utensils/tools/gadgets, and so forth. This is the fun part for me. I usually start researching as soon as I have my idea.
4. Gather your writing advice: What I mean by this is find all the notes you have taken from books, workshops or critique groups and pull together what you will need for this project. I have read tons of books and taken some workshops that were invaluable in helping me set my direction, create a clear plot, write a better sentence and so on. I keep all these in a folder I call Plotting and Planning,
5. Start thinking of scenes: For NanoWriMo you must start from scratch for the writing part, but that doesn’t mean you can’t think of scenes for your book; dialogue or situations you want to set up. I also have fun doing this part.
6. Create a Story Map: I use one of these so that I know where I am going and how I am getting there. You can use Excel or Word or whatever works for you. One author friend of mine writes his scenes out in paragraphs before he starts to write his book. It must work; he is with Simon & Schuster and has pubbed many books.

Once you have all this done, sit back, relax and wait until November 1. You will be well-prepared and more confident knowing you have all your equipment and are ready to run!

Books I recommend for step 4:

Dialogue – Gloria Kempton
Plot & Structure – James Scott Bell
Story Engineering – Larry Brooks
Understanding Show Don’t Tell – Janice Hardy