The Em Dash #11

Happy espooky season, Friend! 

Along with all the Halloween decorations, altars going up for Dia de los Muertos, chilly weather, and pumpkin spice everything (🤢), October & November bring something a lot of writers both love and hate: 

✨National Novel Writing Month✨  (aka NaNoWriMo)

What is it?

In its own words? “...a fun, empowering approach to creative writing.”

In most writers’ brains?

The idea is to write an entire novel in November.

The super short deadline is supposed to force writers to push past the doubts and inner critiques that normally plague us in an effort to meet ~the goal~.

(Whether that truly happens or not is highly debatable.)

To “win” the challenge:

• Go to the NaNo website, make an account, and announce your project (either a new novel, or finishing one in progress).

• Write like the wind; the official goal is 50,000, which breaks down to ~1,667 words per day, by November 30.

• Keep track of your progress on the site.

Plenty of writers are 100% anti-NaNo because it’s unrealistic, only gets you a shitty first draft, is ableist, puts too much pressure on the creative process, etc.

I don’t necessarily disagree with the naysayers, BUT what if we simply reframe the challenge or make up our own rules? Take the spirit of the thing and apply it to what works for us?

💫 You don’t have to write 50,000 words; you can even set your own goal on the site. (It won’t count as “winning” on the site, but tbh who the hell cares?)

💫 You don’t have to write everyday. Sure, daily writing is helpful for building the habit and the discipline and blah, blah, blah. But the important thing (imo) is that you show up when you say you’re going to. Set the times in your calendar/planner/piece of paper you write important things on, and stick to them!

💫 It doesn’t have to be a novel. It can be short stories or essays or poetry or memoir or nonfiction. Write whatever your beautiful heart desires.

💫Prepare ahead of time so you’re not frozen on November 1. October is commonly referred to as “Preptober” by WriMos (people in the challenge) for this very reason. Use this month to prep!

I’ve tried NaNo twice in the last 4 years, and I failed miserably each time. Why? Because I had NO idea what I was doing. Like, I had a vague idea for a book, but that’s it.

No real development outside of “This girl is tired of being the side chick for every guy she actually likes, and she realizes she has some shit to work through if she’s gonna break the pattern to find true love.”*

*not not based on true events

Anyway, I think I’ll give it another shot this year. Because now I know exactly what goes into planning and writing a book! And I have a secret weapon:

✨The Mini Blueprint✨

What's that?

It’s basically a one-page exercise (created by Author Accelerator founder Jennie Nash) to help you nail down the important aspects of your book. Why are you writing it, what point are you making, who are you writing it for, what genre is it? And more.

With a solid blueprint, and maybe a table of contents or outline, you can probably hit the ground running when November 1 rolls around. That’s my plan anyway.

If you want it to be your plan, too, you’re in luck!

I’m doing a special NaNo offer that you are getting access to first, Friend!

✨A Nonfiction or Memoir Mini Blueprint Review + 30-minute Coaching call✨

For $150, you’ll get:

- A copy of the Mini Blueprint to fill out (for either nonfiction or memoir);

- Written feedback on your blueprint work;

- A 30-minute coaching session to discuss any holes in your concept and make a plan for winning your own version of NaNo; and

- BONUS: an outline template (with instructions) to help you plan even more before you get writing!

I’m only doing 10 of these before November, so snag one now if you’re interested!

Okay, I feel like I’ve been talking forever. Let’s get on with the rest, shall we?

Books that Motivate Me (and maybe will do the same for you)

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop: How to Decolonize the Creative Classroom by Felicia Rose Chavez
Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo by Grant Faulkner (Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month)

Note: These are bookshop.org affiliate links

Thanks for being here, Friend! 

Remember to grab a Mini Blueprint Review + Coaching Session before they’re all gone!

See ya next week. :)

P.S. If you found this useful, forward it to a writing friend! They can subscribe and be part of the cool kids club, too. 😎