NaNoWriMo Tips & Tricks

It's officially time for NaNoWriMo! I want to preface this by stating I am not saying I am this NaNoWriMo expert and you should listen to all my tips and tricks because I am all knowing writing master. However, these tips are ones I've accumulated and followed throughout the years that have helped me. I have participated in 7 NaNoWriMos and  I've won 4 and I have participated in 3 Camp NaNoWriMos and won 2. So I have had some failures. However, these tips have really helped me stay on track when I keep them in mind while writing. I also have some advice on how to help you increase your word count! Which I'll add after the general writing tips.
Let's dive into all the tips I recommend!

NaNoWriMo Tips

1. Keep a notebook with you at all times! During your day when you have breaks in between classes or a work break you can brainstorm future ideas or even write scenes to type up later. Whenever you can spare the time think about your story. The more often you mull over your story the more ideas will pop up in your head.

2. Write past the daily word count. The first week of  NaNoWriMo is when you're the most excited and motivated to write, so take advantage of that! The daily word count you should be completed is 1,667 words. However, in the first week or even the first few days (or as long as you can!) try to double that if you're feeling it. I typically try doing at lease 2K. Trust me, when the words just won't come, you can only write 500 words, or if you're really busy because of the holiday you will appreciate having the extra words to fall back on.

3. DO NOT EDIT! If you're not sure about a passage or a concept highlight it or make it a different color and edit it after the month is over! Do not take words away from your word count! Plus, you may end up liking those words later on or find a better way to re-write it to fit it into your story.

4. Stay hydrated! Make sure you're drinking water, especially if you're drinking a lot of caffeinated drinks. Keep yourself hydrated and healthy. Don't crash or burn out too quickly.

5. All the fruits and veggies! Snack on veggies and fruits while you're writing! Carrots, celery, cucumbers, grapes, etc are the ones I go to the most. Junk food and Halloween candy are super delicious but it may make you sleepy or give you a sugar crash. Plus, it makes your keys all sticky or salty. Mindless snacking with fruits and veggies helps with your energy, which you'll need a lot of this month.

6.  Write scenes as they come! You don't have to write a continuous story from start to finish. Write the scenes that come to you and arrange them in the order that fits your story best later. Right now you need to just worry about getting your words out.

7. Write chapter summaries! This could be a preference, but I say try it out and see if it works for you, but write up chapter summaries. I like to have a small paragraph of each chapter! I helps me in a few ways. The first way being it makes it so I am not completely writing on the fly, I have a plan and a specific plan for that chapter. It helps me not stare at the screen confused and anxious. Another way it helps is that it helps you add in any foreshadowing or story twists.

8. Count every single word you write! Character profiles, brainstorming ideas, chapter summaries, etc. Every single word you write dedicated to your project. They all count!

9. Write to music. Personally, I can't write to music with lyrics so I usually rake through movie soundtracks and make playlists for the mood of the scene/chapter. I don't always write to music, sometimes you just need the quiet. However, sometimes listening to music with lyrics can help spark scene and story ideas outside of actively writing.

10. White noise apps! If you don't like writing to music at all, I recommend downloading a white noise app and listenign to some white noise. When my scene or chapter doesn't have an overall emotion or mood I will just listen to some white noise to drown out any distractions. The apps I recommend and use frequently are Relax Melodies and Sleep Pillow. Both apps allow you to curate your own white noise sound from the ones they have available. They're both free but you can pay extra for a larger variation of sounds. Personally, I think the free sounds do the trick.

11. Tell everyone you know. Announce to the world that you're participating in NaNoWriMo! So you'll feel more obligated to stick to your word, especially when people will probably ask you how it's going. I know it depends on who you tell, so I recommend telling friends and family that are really supportive, so you can go to them when you're feeling down or burnt out.

12. Team up with friends. Try to have some writing buddies to help you stay motivated! Of course, family and friends can be so helpful and supportive but it feels really great to have people who fully understand what you're going through. There are hundreds and hundreds of people doing it with you! You can do it!

13. Update your word count! Try to update your word count every day at least once! It will feel really good to see your progress go up and to see all your stats. Even if you didn't reach the 1.6K words it is okay! You're chipping away at your story and that is what really matters.

14. Read when you can! Try to take time out of writing to schedule in some reading. Try to stick to books in the genre you're writing.  Be aware of the writing, maybe make notes in stuff you like or hate so you know how you want your story to go. Of course, like always, be careful that your story isn't being too heavily influenced by anything you read, but overall you can learn a lot!

15. Make it fun! Throw in weird obstacles for your characters if you're feeling like your getting into a rut. Try to see this as a fun activity and not something you have to do. If it feels like an obligation or like homework you'll lose steam. It'll be hard, don't get me wrong, but you need to remind yourself that by the end of the month even if you do not hit the 50K you have started to write your novel! You have an accumulative amount of words you wouldn't have had in the beginning of November if you hadn't decided to try. You can still continue after November is over and NaNo gave you that jump start you needed.

Some Quick Ways to Increase Your Word Count 

Obviously, like everything on this list they're just suggestions you could use to not only increase your word count but also to help you understand your characters and story better.

1. Character profiles. This is something some writers find are unnecessary,  but others like myself find it really beneficial when it comes to brainstorming. I will list as much about my characters as I can. I also like doing this exercise where I write how each of my character handles themselves at a party. What do they immediately go to? Do they drink? Talk to friends? Meet new people? Dance? I am not fully sure why this helps me so much but I definitely recommend it. Also, having each character's backstories will help in the future as well. All of this information may not end up in the final draft but it'll help you understand the story as a whole.

2. Do word sprints! Knowing that you are on the clock can sometimes help you make words flow quicker because you're under pressure. Of course, sometimes depending on how stuck you are in your story this may not work and you may need to use other methods to get you out of any writers block but if you are ready to write word sprints always help. Plus, that way you can take small breaks in between to cool off before going at it again.

3. Dream sequences! Some people hate them, others find them to be really fun to write. I think it depends on the writer but I think it's hard to disagree when I say that they definitely help get words down quickly.

4. Reward yourself! Set goals and then rewards when you hit a certain word count! Even if that's a couple pieces of Halloween candy or maybe watching an episode or two of the show you've been neglecting.

Okay! That is all of the tips and tricks I use to gear me up for a fun and (hopefully) successful NaNoWriMo! If you have any I may have missed please tell me so I can add to the list (of course, with your credit!). If you want to be writing buddies on the website  I will link my account here!! Let's be writing buddies!

Thanks for reading and good luck with your writing!