In 2006, at 19, I decided to go for it and write a novel in 30 days during NaNoWriMo. Now, my NaNo-Novel is about to be published. You could be next! Check out the tips below for ways to kick butt this November.
1. Pick and prep a workspace. Do you need silence to work or is the local café your prime noveling spot?
2. Decide when you have time to write. Before school? After homework? Consider cutting out one TV show (just for a month!) so you have maximum writing time.
3. Come up with a few possible ideas. You don’t have to stick with any of these, but it might help to have some ready just in case. If you need help, share ideas in the forums.
4. Don’t stop! Keep writing even if you don’t think it’s “good.” You can edit later. To stay on pace, challenge your friends to keep up with your word count.
5. Most importantly, think of a reward for yourself on December 1 when you finish your novel! (Make sure you show your reward idea to your parents . . .)
I’ll be NaNo-ing, too, this November, so if you see me around, please say “Hi”! Chances are, I’ll probably be curled up by the fireplace, surrounded by a pile of crumpled notes and ignoring the TV remote that I shoved under the couch.
Happy NaNo-ing!
Jessica Burkhart, 21, wrote her first book as a teenager. Take the Reins (Canterwood Crest) hits stores in January 2009 from Simon & Schuster’s Aladdin M!X. Visit Jess’s Website for tips for young writers, blogs, and more at www.jessicaburkhart.com.
