Tips on Preparing to Write

It's the last week of October, better known as Preptober for those who participate in National Novel Writing month. 

The point is to take four weeks in your life to actually make your writing a priority. Sounds dreamy doesn't it?  But how? Where? In WHAT time?  Most of us try to do everything we always do AND fit in writing 50K words. Somethings gotta give. 

Here are practical tips for preparing to put your writing first in the month of November (and anytime after!).  Build in success by doing some or all of these:

Declare Your Writing Space 

Ah, a room of your own.. or maybe it's a corner or even a closet! Whatever it is, it helps to have a designated place that you can set up to be your Alter of Words. 

Claim some bit of space, and make it one where you will be comfortable. First, work out your power source -- if it's not easily reached, add an extension cord two plugs for your computer/tablet and your phone. Now, add things that inspire you and/or are relevant to your story: photos, postcards, art, books for reference or by your heroes. Maybe a big picture cork board or poster for plotting, a timeline or keeping random notes.  Have a good light.  Keep some paper in easy reach and a few good pens (we KNOW how much difference the right pen makes!), even if you are typing. Dig out a special tea mug, wine glass, water jug or or whiskey tumbler to ceremoniously use only while writing. What else? Candles?  Flowers? 

Set it up with anything that can make your space feel dedicated and inspiring, and most importantly, somewhere you WANT to go. This will also help with the famous transition from "life" into the world of your writing. 

Map Out Your Schedule

Whether you have a digital calendar, a bullet journal or you put November on a poster on the wall, block out your writing time. If you look now, while you're not under the gun, to see where you can realistically fit it in, it will go a long way to increase your productivity. TRUST ME.

Nano suggests writing 1667 words a day to reach 50K in the month, but you can do this any way that works for you. Many regions plan live or online writing events, which definitely enhances your accountability, as well as creating camaraderie, support and encouragement.  Some say they write best in isolation. That's great. But if you feel yourself slipping, find any writing group or Zoom going on and join in, You can find ones with word sprints, and others with no talking - either way, you can isolate while with people!  Because you can find write-ins through the website, on Discord, or Nano Facebook groups in your or other regions, there is bound to be something you can find no matter when you can fit it in. 

If possible, pick times when your energy is best, and block time around any non-negotiable events or work deadlines.  So block out time chunks that are most realistic where you can in the month.  And SHOW UP. 

Get Your To-Do's Done

Get done now whatever tick list items you can free up before November 1. Book health care appointments, return overdue calls, run errands, pick up prescriptions, stock your pantry, even make casseroles or meals you can freeze in advance (which you can do on a weekend for the week). And ask family (or friends) if they could do some of your tasks this month, ie: walking the dog, doing the dishes, laundry, shopping and cooking. Even if someone can take one of those each week it will open up time. Don't hesitate to ask people who would be happy to cheer you on this way. You'd do it for them, right? 

Create a Playlist

Music instantly transports us. You can put in your earbuds in while driving home, changing clothes or making tea.  Even choosing one song as an anthem, and playing it as you sit down can can help you transition from your busy world into your creative mind and the page. It can also be lifeline when you get stuck. 

Music is a great tool to help you paint the mood of a certain scene, or a time period you're writing about ie: the Middle Ages or the Roaring 20's, or be genre specific... perhaps a dark soundtrack to summon the right words for your suspense or horror story.  

And, music it can give you energy when you think you're too tired to write. Some need silence, but if you're stuck, why not have something cued up without words, whether classical, piano, jazz or movie soundtracks. Press play and let it work its magic!

Manage Your Peeps

This is a BIG one. Inevitably you may be surrounded by people who don't understand. But how can they unless you enlighten them. Tell friends and family you're doing this, that it's a serious commitment and . If they understand how much this time means to you, and better, how excited you are to do it, it can help them stick to the boundaries you are going to set around time. 

Invite them to support you (has a nice ring doesn't it?) for only 4 weeks (sooo very do-able). It is a lot easier for people to embrace these changes for a reasonable window of time. Build in to your expectations that they may mess up, or forget. That's ok!  It's your project not theirs. Just don't cave or waver if they do. Simply remind them!  

Hold off on most social stuff for this time.  It's so easy to tell friends how invite you to dinner or for wine or a movie  - which you have done together and will do again - that you need to pass just for the month, because you're diving into an exciting project.  Be light about, as people will take their cues from how you present it.  Tell them you'd be delighted to join them in December or any other time going forward. 

Bar Your Door!

Oh YES! Make a do not disturb sign if you live with others. Tell them unless the house is on fire, or someone's going to the ER, to respect your space. Kids can have trouble with this, but it can help them grow! Enlist anyone else who's in your kids lives to help with this. If they are little perhaps you can arrange to have a sitter for two hours here.  If you have no help, can you arrange with another parent to take the kids and reciprocate after November?  One of the more prolific writers I know raised five kids who all had lessons, got sick, needed lunches made, struggled with homework, started dating, needed to see collaged etc... Amazing but somehow possible! 

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Remember, no one has the perfect space and time to write! You are not alone. Part of living a fulfilling life is to figure out how to make room for what matters to you, and getting the support of people around you (or finding people who will!). 

Nano is full of people who will support you.  If you haven't signed up, visit nanowrino.org and set up a free, no- hassle account, declare your project, find your region and be ready! 

PS: You can take employ these practices throughout the year! Why not? 

Have questions? Struggling and want help thinking out of the box? Write what your obstacles are comments, so we can suggest solutions.