NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month is a fun, free event that happens every year in November. The challenge is to write 50K words in one month or on average, 1,667 words every day for 30 days. It sounds difficult, but with proper planning, it is a feasible goal. Anyone can participate, even those who want to write for the sheer joy of it and any genre is welcome. Some people even write fanfiction! There are also NaNoWriMo rebels who write poetry, flash fiction, and other forms of writing with the goal of writing a cumulative 50K words in 30 days. If writing a novel is on your bucket list, read on for tips, tricks, and inspiration for completing NaNoWriMo. (For more information about the challenge, please visit https://nanowrimo.org/.)

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Preparing for NaNoWriMo in my Bullet Journal

Preptober Goals Page

Calendars and Preptober Schedules

Sources:

• NaNoWriMo Preptober Schedule: https://www.eadeverell.com/preptober-schedule/
• October Calendar: https://danieldelill.com/the-blob-blog/f/nanoprep

NaNoWriMo Instagram Challenges and Prompts

Sources for printables:

• @author_r.c.martin
• @preptober
• www.buttontapper.com

For more layout inspiration, follow my Instagram account here.

This year’s NaNoWriMo is particularly dear to me because I’ll be working on the first draft of a novel idea I’ve had for years. Though I’ve had the basic idea for a long time, I’m struggling with the fear of my idea turning out to be terrible. I’m determined to get over my worries about writing an awful first draft and finally finish writing my story.

Any mistakes I make or plot holes can be fixed in editing, after the first draft is written. NaNoWriMo will help me silence my inner critic and focus on getting the story out. I’ll still be working on it in December, as my current outline puts my novel between 90K and 100K words, but having the first half of the draft done by November 30th will be rewarding.

If you are participating in NaNoWriMo, feel free to add me as a writing buddy. My username is simplykelseyjo. We can keep each other accountable and send encouragement on the days the words aren’t coming fast enough.

NaNoWriMo Resources

Below, you will find some of my favorite resources for getting ready for NaNoWriMo:

• Preptober: https://www.rachaelstephen.com/prep_tober/
• October Calendar: https://danieldelill.com/the-blob-blog/f/nanoprep
• NaNoWriMo Preptober Schedule: https://www.eadeverell.com/preptober-schedule/ (Bonus: Lady Writer has tons of resources on her website. It’s worth a look around! Check out her one page outline here.)
• NaNoWriMo Bullet Journal: https://www.bohoberry.com/nanowrimo-bullet-journal/
• Writing Resources Pinterest Board: https://www.pinterest.com/simplykelseyjo/writing-resources/
• Challenges and Layout Inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/simplykelseyjo/
• ProWritingAid: This is my favorite software for editing. The premium version goes beyond grammar and has all kinds of feedback on writing style, including pacing and readability. With my link, you can save 20% on your subscription here.
• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: This is a useful guide if your new to plotting.
• Wonderbook: One of the best books on world-building I’ve read.
• Intuitive Editing: Even though editing should be the last thing on your mind during NaNoWriMo, it doesn’t hurt to study the process before and after the blur of writing in November.

What are your favorite resources for NaNoWriMo? Please share with me in the comments. I’m always looking for more inspiration to keep me motivated while writing.