NaNoWriMo | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

NaNoWriMo Is Happening Soon, Here Are 11 Tips You Need To Know To Start Your Own Adventure

Time to start a new page of your story.

15
view

I participated in NaNoWriMo last year and had an absolute blast. NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. This event happens every year during the month of November. The main goal is to write 50,000 word throughout the month of November, basically writing a novel! Last year, I only wrote 10,500 words, but I am trying my luck again this year! Here are 11 tips I wish I would have known last year!

1. Plan

You do not have to plan out every single detail, but having something, even just a character name is extremely helpful in the long run!

2. Set aside time to write every day

Implement it into your daily routine! It has been calculated that you need to write 1,667 words per day to reach the 50k by the end of the month.

3. Don't be discouraged if you miss a day

Missing a day sucks, but you can always make up the words another day!

4. Utilize the forums

It is SO helpful. There are hundreds and hundreds of people who have participated in NaNoWriMo over time and since it's beginning in 1999. Utilize them, let them help you when you get stuck.

5. Know when to take a break

Writing a novel is stressful! Sometimes you just have to step away for a little bit to clear your head. Who knows, maybe you'll come back with an amazing idea.

6. Participate in word sprints

Follow their twitter and participate in their word sprints! Be proud of how well your writing has become and let the words flow.

7. Do not be afraid to hit that back space

If you are not happy about a part of your story, do not be afraid to delete it. You will get the progress back.

8. It does not have to be a novel

You don't actually have to write a novel! It can be anything, letters, essays, your research paper, poetry, or Odyssey articles. The goal is just to get 50,000 words.

9. Let the characters guide you

Sometimes your characters will lead you down a path you did not expect. Let them take you there, sometimes it may take you down a path that was better than your original idea.

10. Let others read your progress

Pick out a few good friends that will be honest with you. Sometimes having an outside opinion can help cover plot holes, weird dialogue or spark something new.

11. Be proud of what you accomplished

Even if you do not reach 50k words, be proud of what you have written. There is always next year to get even further than the last.

So, take a chance, pick up your pen or open up a new document. Let your imagination flow and create a new world and accomplish something great.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

Pros And Cons Of Having A Birthday Near The Holidays

The truth of what it is like having a birthday around the holiday season.

2003
Christmas decoration
Flickr

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! But for some people, including myself and my Dad, it can have its ups and downs when it comes to having a birthday near and around the holiday season. I personally share a birthday with my Dad two days before Christmas. Yes, Christmas Eve Eve is our birthday. Here are a few pros and cons for having a birthday near the holidays.

Keep Reading...Show less
Christmas Tree Lights
Pixabay

It is that time of year again. Christmastime. It is one of my favorite seasons for a myriad of reasons. Here are just a few reasons why I love Christmas. This list is in no order of importance.

1. The Christmas decorations

I am that person who will decorate directly after Thanksgiving is over. This year, my roommates and I put the tree up in our apartment before we even left for Thanksgiving break. It is a great stress reliever for me to just sit in my living room and work on the huge amount of work I have before the semester is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl with santa hat
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

'Tis the season to be jolly folks, and if you're anything like me, then at the stroke of midnight on Halloween your home went from wicked to winter

Keep Reading...Show less
mistake
Project Eve

Mistakes are something we all make, no matter how old we get. Most of the time, the mistakes we made are little and sometimes due to something out of our control. Yet, there are mistakes that are bigger than others. Personally, I have mistakes that I wish I could go back and undo. Here they are:

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

5 Things To Do That Are Better Than Writing A Paper

Don't waste your time trying to write that paper when there are so many more interesting things you could be doing.

13291
computer keyboard
Unsplash

Writing a paper is never fun and is rarely rewarding. The writer's block, the page requirement, be specific, but don’t summarize, make sure you fixed any grammatical errors, did you even use spellcheck? and analyze, analyze, analyze.

Papers can be a major pain. They take up so much time and effort that by the end of the process you hate yourself and you hate the professor for making life so difficult. Questions of your existence start roaming in your mind. Am I even cut out for college if I can’t write a single paper? Am I even capable of taking care of myself if I lack the energy to open my laptop and start typing?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments