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If you’ve been involved in the writing and publishing community for a little while, there’s a 99-percent chance you’ve heard of the renowned and well-loved National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) organization and annual event. For a quick refresher, NaNoWriMo is an international event that invites all writers—professional, amateur, published and unpublished—to participate in a month-long writing session to complete 50,000 words of a novel. Word counts are posted online, writers can add “friends” to see how they’re doing on their prospective manuscripts, and encouragement abounds as each participant attempts to write 1,667 words a day to complete that coveted 50,000 words by November 30th.
As we get closer to November, we wanted to share a great tool to prepare yourself for the upcoming climb. The NaNo Prep 101 Workshop is a great way to get ready to reach the 50,000-word count. Let’s explore the course.
What is the NaNo Prep 101 Workshop?
The NaNo Prep 101 Workshop consists of six courses that each last a week. Each week you work on this course, you take on the preparation exercise that will get you ready to write in November. Each week also has additional resources and forums for authors to share their progress. The six courses consist of:
- Develop a Story Idea
- Create Complex Characters
- Construct a Detailed Plot or Outline
- Build a Strong World
- Organize Your Life for Writing!
- Find and Manage Your Time
Whether you plan are participating in NaNoWriMo for the first time or the fifteenth time, the workshop is a great way to get you ready.
How Does One Join?
To join the NaNo Prep 101 Workshop, you’re going to need to sign in with your regular NaNoWriMo account information (make an account for that website here), at which point you can add in your current project info.
How Long Is It?
The NaNo Prep 101 Workshop runs for six weeks. However, you do have the option to download their handbook to complete it at your own pace.
A Quick Look at Each Week
1. Develop a Story Idea
Week one focuses on finding inspiration and honing in on ideas that spark your creativity. The exercise provides four ways to create ideas, characters, and develop a world.
2. Create Complex Characters
Activity two allows you to build your characters in-depth before you start writing your novel. The best part is, it’s just a simple questionnaire you need to complete!
3. Construct a Detailed Plot or Outline
Week three is all about the plot…well the plot outline. The exercise for the week looks at five different outline methods writers can use. The quiz you take will show you which one is best for you to use.
4. Build a Strong World
The setting in your story is one of the most important aspects. Week four’s exercise allows you to develop your world with real depth and strength.
5. Organize Your Life for Writing!
Week five’s checklist is all about the writer. This exercise will help you to get your life ready for the massive challenge you are going to be up battling.
6. Find and Manage Your Time
As you approach this last exercise, you are almost ready. Now you need to have the time to write 1,667 words per day for the next 30 days. This week’s quiz will give you suggestions on the best times for you to write.
Are you having trouble completing a manuscript and want some direction and help to organize the storyline? Midnight Publishing is the perfect place for you! We are an editing, ghostwriting, and marketing company that specializes in editing manuscripts, mapping out book ideas for clients, and providing tailored marketing and publishing advice based on your needs. Contact us anytime to discuss working together. Also, don’t forget to check out our expert-curated guides on the publishing industry.
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