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Are you ready for NaNoWriMo?

October is full of magic, specially in 2 aspects: in which how nature is transformed, and in the preparation you must have if you want to write a novel.

In this article, we will help you prepare for the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), which is a novel writing "marathon" worldwide. For an author, October becomes preptober, and therefore is important to test the terrain and identify what you want to achieve in November.

The NaNoWriMo tends to be a moment of emotion every year but also a full of stress because it is a race against time and against yourself, and, like any other competition, it is better to arrive trained and ready to let yourself flow on the paper (or the keyboard for those who prefer to write on the PC) all the story we want to tell the world.

First tips
It is time to get serious and consider how far we want to get in this writing career. To begin, I recommend you take note of these questions and try to reflect on the answers, as this will give clarity to your path as a writer.

Consider these questions:
1.- Why do you write?
2.- What is your writing goal?
3.- Do you have any idea what you want to write during the NaNoWriMo?
4.-What kind will it be?

If you have already answered these questions, it will be easier to go ahead in the development of your novel during the NaNoWriMo.

I know it can be scary to write a 50,000 word novel in just 30 days, but it's not impossible. With planning, effort and perseverance, you will surely achieve it.

What other things should you consider before the #nanowrimo?
The preparation of NaNoWriMo for a writer should consider factors that depend, most of the time, on what you will dedicate to writing in this month, but there are also other things that should be left ready before starting to have the least complicated path, achieving with this that November is really the month in which you will concentrate to fulfill this great goal.

The main plot
Where will the story happen?
How many characters will you have?
How will the story begin?
What will be the main conflict?
How do you plan to finish?

Suggest that you have answered these questions before you begin. One or two lines at least for each question will provide you with a basic guide that can help you to know what is next. The rest will depend on what you add in the November word race, whose path you will already know a little because of the clues you have prepared for yourself.

Characters
Now, about the characters that you have planned to include in the story, you must have a note of the type of people they are.

How they look?
What personality do they have?
What things do you like, and dislike?
What makes you laugh, be afraid, or cry?
How do they react to stress situations?

If you have a card for each character giving all the details that you can think of, I'm sure that it will give more consistency to your work and will make your characters don't look flat in the story. Maye not everything that you write would be part of your story, but for you as a writer it is important that you know it.

The environment
We have covered what is necessary about what the story will be, so that what you write has a background and can become a great story. Now let's move on to what must be around you during that process.

To write, you need an environment that seems pleasant and inspiring. You must have the tranquility or the hustle and bustle necessary to motivate your concentration to write, and maximize it. Cafes, libraries, studios, kitchens, empty rooms or whatever you can think of. Choose a place well, and fill it with objects that help you stay focused. For example, you can put an amulet, an incense or essential oil, a candle, have your favorite drink on hand, prepare the appropriate music, the clothes that you find most comfortable in the writing process, etc.

The material

It's time to put together the books you want to consult in the process of your writing, the instruments you plan to use, your outline, notebooks with useful details and, of course, the applications that help you make counts of your writing sessions and block the use of social networks. In NaNoWriMo there are only two things that deserve your complete attention: your idea, and your will to carry it out through writing.

Support

Once all this has been prepared, there is only one thing left: announce to the world that you will spend a month writing, and ask your friends and close relatives to understand that and not interrupt you, and to support you in your decision. You need all the time and concentration possible to fulfill a dream, and if your loved ones are aware, you will feel more motivated and therefore, the mission of writing will be a little simpler.

Do you already have what it takes to start writing your novel?

Get closer to other writers

If you lack ideas or need more advice, the official page of the event is dedicated to sharing how other writers are doing that, like you, face this titanic challenge. Look for groups that adapt to your country, genre of writing, or language, and surely among all can form a support community in which you feel enough confidence to guide you, and thus be able to move forward.

There are others like you, you just have to find them.

And well, that was all for now.

I hope this small article is useful for you.

If you enter the NaNoWriMo this year, I wish you the best of luck.

If you want to read more writing articles, do not forget to check them always in this Writer's Blog. You can also find more weekly writing tips in my story (but it is in spanish) "Blown inspiration: tips to write more and better", which is in development.

Write!

Author: Tania A. Santos (Translation: Inskspired)

Inkspired User: luthierzebeth

Instagram: @letrasdetaniablog