October is the month for gearing up before NaNoWriMo hits like a storm in November. I haven’t participated in this yet (After 6 years of novel writing, I’m really late in the game!) I’ve already planned on setting my alarm extra early in the morning to pull this off while maintaining my “day job” and making sure everyone has food in the fridge and clean underwear.
I’m what is referred to as a pantser (writing from the seat of my pants without outlining beforehand). This method can take a bit longer (or so I’ve heard), but I have found some useful advice that helps both pantsers and outliners alike. In reading through the articles at StoryFix.com, I actually had light bulbs going off over my head with regards to the climax of my new WIP. Also Martha Alderson’s You Tube series is a great general guide to plot structure, and a good companion to the tips at StoryFix. I think if a “pantser” writes while keeping important elements in mind, the first draft will be a better mold to work with. And I’m eager to give it a go!
From StoryFix.com the post Nail Your NaNoWriMo
Martha Alderson Plot Series on You Tube.
Also, Scrivener for PC is due out November 1st (just in time for NaNoWriMo). This program is a dream for outliners, and for pantsers it works as an awesome revision tool.
