Kelly's Preptober Checklist

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo?

Kelly is here to help you achieve your goals without going crazy!

Preptober Checklist

• Pick your accountability buddy - NaNoWriMo is hard, but it’s slightly less hard when you have a friend to cheer you on!

• Sign up for the official NaNoWriMo challenge - Track your progress, find friends and become a part of the movement! https://nanowrimo.org/

• Set up your writing spot - It doesn’t have to be fancy, but find somewhere you can be comfortable and get those words done!

• Polish your idea – Whether you’re a plotter, a pantser or somewhere in between, Preptober is the time to have your head in the clouds, daydreaming about your project.

• Cast your character - Do you know their strengths, and more importantly weaknesses? What is their main motivation? Have you considered their favourite ice cream flavour?

• Consider your beats - Have you fleshed out your story enough to keep up with the pace of NaNo? How’s that muddled middle in the 2nd Act looking?

• Set the mood – Create a moodboard, build a playlist, or update your desktop background to match your story!

• Find community – Online or in person (some areas have NaNoWriMo writing groups!) You’re going to need it when the going gets tough!

• Prepare for the highs and lows – Read our blog about the Hero’s Journey you’re about to have. A Breakdown of the Breakdown: The Inevitable NaNoWriMo Journey and How to Cope

• Plan rewards/celebrations – Celebrating each milestone along the way to 50,000 words is a good way to make the mountain less intimidating.

• Set up your docs – Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Scrivener, a notebook? Get it ready now so the words can flow on Nov. 1.

• Prepare your family/friends - They may not see you until December. Let them know you’ll be (mostly) okay.

• Fill your cup - Read, watch movies, go for a walk (while you still have time!)

• Add our Slushpile Sprints to your calendar! Every Tuesday and Thursday between 7 and 8 pm ET!

• Get writing! On your marks, get set, go!

We'll be running writing sprints on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout November. Jump on our Discord channel to get involved! >> Here's the invitation. <<

Trapped in the slush pile? Don't suffer alone! Meet Steven, the big blue monster that lurks in this hopeless black pit. When he's not munching on the souls of hapless writers, he hosts an online writing community dedicated to making friends, having fun, and improving our literary skills.

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