- Get as many ideas before you start as you can. You’re allowed to plan and plot and it’s easier if you do.
- Write every day before you surf the net or whatever you do for fun. Write 2000 words. Don’t stop even when it’s rubbish.
- Plan the next day’s writing while you’re out walking or cooking dinner.
- Use a spreadsheet to keep track of your word count. (I have one I can email you if you like.)
- Go to meetups. They’re fun!
- Have fun!
Have you got any tips?
8 COMMENTS:
Blimey!! Spreadsheets and stuff!! LOL!!
Have fun is good advice too! Take
care and GOOD LUCK!! When does it actually start? Is it all of November? Wow!
x
What a commitment. It scares the bee jibbers off me!
Still, I am contemplating.
I don't have anything more to add but I would like to emphasise the importance of item 3 there. For one thing it's fun but it also takes a load of pressure off when you come to sit down and write. Nothing worse than thinking "right, 2000 words needed" and you don't have a clue where to start ...
Kitty, I'm a geek! Not such an accomplished one as jjdebenedictis, but still. And yes, it's all of November!
Ann, I never commit to it! I always tell myself I'll give it a go and see how far I get. I've managed it four years out of five, and I managed 24k the year I didn't "win". That seemed pretty good to me!
Simon, I can't think and type so I have to do the thinking some other time. Once I realised that it became easier!
This is the first year I am plotting ahead of time. I think it will work well for me, but it is making me anxious to start writing.
would you send me a copy of the spreadsheet?
iasa, I've emailed you a copy of the spreadsheet. I hope it helps!
I'm trying planning this year. Last time I did this I just dived into the deep end without looking. Half my novel wound up being about a navelgazing hitman who didn't shoot anyone until 50 pages in. Not good.
stacy, I think when I haven't planned some of the writing ends up more as planning and needs getting rid of later. It's all good experience but I prefer to have more of a plan if I can.
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