In 1999 writer Chris Baty, who specializes in helping writers, challenged his friends to write 50,000 words and produce a novel during the 30 days of November. That year, 21 aspiring writers accepted the challenge. Fast forward to 2017 when 306,230 participants from around the world officially accepted the National Novel Writing Month challenge.

The rules are simple. Start writing whenever midnight arrives in your timezone on November 1. Stop on November 30. In between, write 50,000 words, the minimum word-length of a basic novel. It should be noted that these words are not edited or polished. They are grist for a First Draft. The object is to move forward without losing momentum by reading over completed words. Fun Fact: To achieve 50,000 words in 30 days, you need to write 1667 words a day. This isn’t as daunting as it looks, because you only write one word at a time. ?

If you want to be official, you can sign up [no charge] at the NaNoWrMo website. The organzation supports your efforts by helping you set milestones, track your progress, and connect with other writers. You can do all of these things without actually signing up at NaNoWrMo. Full Disclosure: I’ve never participated, but I do set milestones, track my progress, and informally connect with other writers.

Plotters & Pantsters

You may be wondering how, exactly, one sets out to write a novel. There are many possible answers, but I’m going to focus for a minute on two types of writers.

Plotters plan everything. They’re the people with outlines. Confession: I’m a plotter. I want maps, notes, outlines . . . The whole padded box of writing.

Pantsters, as you might imagine, fly by the seat of their pants. They follow the story wherever it leads, even if it’s to a dead end. I admire their verve and fearless drive. However, at some point, even pantsters have to block out their story, usually as part of the editing process.

Pantsters don’t have to “prepare” for NaNoWrMo; plotters do. Either that or they’ll have to increase their daily word count to make 50,000 words in 30 days.

Not the Finished Product

NaNoWrMo is a great incentive for writing a first draft. Among the alumni who have gone on to create a popular finished product are:

None of these books looked like this at the end of NaNoWrMo. They looked like a double-spaced draft ready for editing. These are examples of what is possible, if this is the result you want.

But you don’t have to publish your novel to be a success. You only have to finish it, which is exactly what NaNoWrMo helps you do. You can meet your characters and build their world while building your writing life. You can write for your own satisfaction, for your family and friends, or for a larger audience. It’s your story —only you can tell it.

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Illustrations

Medieval Writing Desk

Fountain Pen Writing Russian Cyrillic by Peter Milosevic

“Does Your Typewriter Match Your Pajamas?” 1928.

Writing Symbol by User: Chris-martin

National Novel Writing Month

NaNoWriMo: A Writer’s Guide. Reddsyblog. Oct. 5, 2020.

“What is NaNoWriMo?” MasterClass. Aug. 19, 2021.

Chris Baty.

The post The Challenge of National Novel Writing Month first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.

November is National Novel Writing Month, a time when every aspiring writer can set her or his challenge to complete a 50,000-word novel in thirty days. Last year 325,142 participants registered at the official web site, and a large number of people wrote without bothering to register.

At the end of the month, every participant, known and unknown, is a winner. She or he has put 50,000 connected words on paper. The product isn’t done yet. There will be edits and rewrites, gnashing of teeth and tears of frustration. But the basic premise, the seed that could bloom into a novel, is done.

Writing is portable. Even before laptop computers, there were various options. This damsel with a quill pen has a portable writing desk placed on a table. But since she’s sitting on a sofa and leaning forward, I would guess her arms, shoulders, wrists, back and neck were all complaining before she finished her letter.

Rama, the subject on my historical novel, used a lap desk. I can’t sit the way she does, and can’t comment on whether she was comfortable or not. Rama exhibits excellent posture for the portrait, but I would guess she was leaning forward quite a bit while actually writing.

This charming lady seems to have perfect posture – and also to be ambidextrous.

Jessamyn West, contemporary librarian and blogger, sits at a desk which many writers can relate to. Reasonable lighting, clutter, water bottle, and coffee cup at the ready.

WRITERS WRITE
But Environment is Important

Through my own experiences I have discovered that most of the advice for a productive home office is relevant. Here’s what I find most useful.

      1.    Every home office should have a door. It allows the occupant to separate from everything else. Walk in and close the door. You’re at work. Day over? Walk out and close the door. You’re off duty.

      2.    Surround yourself with what makes you happy and positive. Pictures. Souvenirs. Anything that sparks the creative muse. Build a space you like to be in.

     3.     Try to keep desk clutter to a minimum. Otherwise, you’ll keep losing things. Trust me, I know about this hazard.

     4.     It’s important to have adequate storage and office supplies. Otherwise, you’ll keep leaving to find more folders, or the stapler, or whatever.

5.    Bring in some life. Hardy plants. Flowers that last. Plants boost positive energy and help clean the air. But pay attention. Dead plants are not helpful.

6.    Pay attention to lighting, windows, and furniture. Get a desk chair that supports your back and encourages you to sit upright. Configure your keyboard at the proper distance for your hands.

7.    Remember to get up and walk around. Sitting all day isn’t good for you. Your eyes need to take breaks.

I’ve moved my office upstairs. Can you see how many of these principles I’ve managed to use?  Answers below.

Answers:

I’ve got lighting covered and the lower desk for the keyboard. My main desk is on the messy side. Did you catch the jar of peanuts I keep for stress munching? I usually keep anthuriums as fresh flowers because they last so long.

Though you can’t see it, there is a door. And this space is upstairs. Once I arrive, I can’t hear anything going on in the house. A luxury.

What’s your Home Office like? How many of these features do you have? Remember, if you have to, you can make a work space in any spare corner. Lots of ideas on Pinterest.

Acknowledgements:

Featured Image: The desk I used while writing Rama’s Labyrinth. Photo by Author.

National Novel Writing Month. Here.

“17 Surprising Home Office Ideas.” Real Simple. Here.

Annie B. Bond. “13 Do’s and Taboos for Feng Shui Office.” April 15, 2008. Care2. Here.

Amy-Mae Elliott. “10 Tips for a More Beautiful and Functional Home Office.” July 30, 2012.Mashable. Here.

Alyssa Gregory. “Check List for Setting up Your Home Office.” About Money. Here.

John Patricik Pullen. “5 Secrets to Making Your Office Ultra-Productive.” Oct. 23, 2015. Time.com. Here.

Rodika Tchi.”Increase Your Office Success with Feng Shui.” Here.

Jessamyn West. Web Page.

The post The Writer’s Lair first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.