I know. It’s still six weeks out. But the time to prep for National Novel Writing Month is now, while it is six weeks out. Writing a novel is a serious endeavor. It takes effort. For many of us, it takes planning. Even if you’re a “pantser” who’ll start on November 1st with a blank page and an idea (or even just a blank page…) you need to do some planning for the time and resources you need to write 50,000+ words in a month.
In my case, I’ve got most of the people around me trained not to bug me during November (at least until Thanksgiving (I usually have the draft done by then though…)). I have my idea in place and know most of the main characters. But I haven’t announced my story yet, I should really get my home office cleaned up (I’ll be living in there for a few weeks…), and I need the local bottler to deliver at least a pallet of my favorite writing fuel.
I’ve ‘won’ NANO five years running and I’m convinced that a major reason for that is the prep I do before November starts. Having plans in place for how and when I’m working and having things in place to execute that plan is at least as important as having an idea or outline. If you haven’t put in the work to have the time and space to write you won’t do it. And if you don’t write, you can’t finish.
Well, dear reader, speaking of finishing… I should get my plans shored up and make sure I’m ready. Good luck with your own writing. And, I’ll see you next post.
Forever Mountain Publishing 
One thought on “NANO is coming…”