NaNoWriMo Survival Kit / How it went

Survival Kit

• Laptop (for obvious reasons)
• Novel pad. It’s an awesome website much like scrivener, except for the fear of losing your work whenever it updates to a new version. Novel pad does have a yearly subscription, but it’s been worth it so far. I’ll write a more comprehensive post about it later on.
• Notebooks. Although I do prefer to type up my manuscripts, I like handwriting my outlines better. While I’m typing up my manuscript, I’ll take notes in the margins of my chapter outlines stating what I would like to add, take out, or change. This will help me as I self edit.
• Outlines. I make multiple outlines for the stories that I write or plan to write. I start off with a general outline, which is the sequence of events for the whole book. After I’m done with that, I’ll go into my chapter outlines, which are usually more detailed than my general outlines.
• Pens…self-explanatory.
• Routine. It’s generally hard for me to get into writing, but this year I have established a solid writing routine. I may not write as many words as I would like to, but the routine helps. I also need to be nicer to myself and set more attainable goals.
• Comfy Pajamas. Part of my writing routine is changing into comfy Pajamas, since I usually write before I go to sleep.
• Lofi. Nice, calming music helps me get into writing and focus better. I’ve also discovered many different genres of lofi music, which also gives me a good variety if I need to get into a specific headspace for certain scenes.
• Tea. Another part of my writing routine is making a big cup of chamomile tea in a specific cup. The tea helps keep me calm and focused on my writing.

How it went

To be honest, I started about a week late and therefore I was super behind from the beginning. It didn’t help that I accidentally left my outlines at work one Friday. I tried to write more during the weekends, but I also spend a lot of my time with my family on weekends as well. And Wakanda Forever had just come out so I HAD to see that! By the end of NaNoWriMo, I had about 15,000 words written.

 My goal was to finish the first draft before I started school, but I’m good with being mostly or partly done at this point. I hope to have the first draft finished by this summer or fall. The month of February will be a busy one, with me getting ready to go back to school, working on the novel and my blog. I am excited though. I have lots of plans in mind for this year.

Coming up Next

New Project

Character Profiles (Series)