Get Ready for NaNoWriMo 2009
It’s nearly November and time for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). This is the month where thousands of people tackle the challenge of writing 50,000 words in just 30 days.
To get you started, check out these posts on getting prepared for NaNo from last year:
Getting into the proper mindset for NaNo
Writing tips to help you reach 50,000 words
Training yourself to write FAST
How to have fun while doing NaNo
Download a free copy of the NaNoWriMo Survival Guide from Lazette Gifford
Read a review of No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty (founder of NaNo)
To track your progress for NaNo, here’s an updated copy of the tracking spreadsheet originally created by Eric Benson. This is in Open Office format, but you should be able to open it in other spreadsheet programs, as well.
You can sign up to participate in NaNo at their website, www.nanowrimo.org. It’s totally free.
I’ll be participating as well. Got a science fiction novel that I want to get through the first draft. You can follow my progress by adding me as a Writing Buddy. Or follow me on Twitter as I’ll be reporting my progress there, as well.
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7 comments
alice hive (1 comments.) on October 28, 2009 at 9:16 am
Good collection! I’ll take part in NaNoWriMo this year. So I can really use your these ressources.
alice hive´s last blog ..NaNoWriMo-Blogger 2009
Candy on October 28, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I can’t open the tracking spreadsheet you mentioned in your post above. Can you please help me with this? I have Microsoft Office Suite. Thank you very much.
AnneV (1 comments.) on October 28, 2009 at 2:52 pm
This will be my second time doing NaNoWriMo, last year being the first. Because of your high praise of HtTS, by Holly Lisle, I signed up for the course; currently at week 11. I’m using one of the story ideas from the course, with all the dots/lines/sentences, for this year’s NaNoWriMo. I’ve added you as a buddy and am now following you on Twitter (makes me sound like a stalker); I’m interested to see another writer’s process.
BTW, thanks for all the info you research and share on your blog and newsletter!
Cheryl on October 28, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Hi Candy, try this for opening the spreadsheet:
1. Click on the link for the spreadsheet.
2. An Open or Save window should open asking what you want to do with the file.
3. Select Open With and if there’s a dropdown, select Excel from the list.
4. Click OK and see if it opens in Excel.
This method worked for me just a few minutes ago. If it doesn’t work, send me an email at cheryl@learntowritefiction.com and I’ll send the 2008 version in .xls format. You’ll need to update it to 2009 but it should be the same otherwise.
Cheryl on October 28, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Hi Anne, congrats on signing up for Think Sideways! Holly always puts out high quality products and I love to see people discover them.
Feel free to stalk away! I find that writers are some of the nicest people to connect with on the Internet and it is always great to meet another one. I’ve added you and Candy as buddies on the NaNoWriMo site and look forward to NaNo’ing with you!
Cheryl on October 28, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Hi Alice, I’m glad the posts will be helpful. I’ve added you as a writing buddy on the NaNo site. Happy NaNo’ing!
Conda V. Douglas (9 comments.) on October 29, 2009 at 10:27 am
I love how Nano teaches how to be focused, disciplined and turn out those pages. Good post, Cheryl, for prep!