National Novel Writing Month (aka Nanowrimo) is a challenge to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November.
Sure, it’s a crazy thing to do, but it is one of the best ways to learn how to write a novel (and to learn if that is something you ever want to do again).
I’ve participated in Nanowrimo 12 times, and completed the challenge ten times. My 2018 Nano novel became Spring Comes Twice, and which I blogged about as I wrote it.
Here are some resources you might find helpful on your Nanowrimo (or writing in general) journey. These are tools I’ve used (and many I continue to use).
CAVEAT SCRIPTOR: I write on a Windows laptop (and the occasional spiral notebook). YMMV.
Andi’s Nanowrimo blog posts (daily posts): 2016 and 2018 and 2020.
Dave Seah’s fantastic Nanowrimo writing calendar (free download!)
Distraction-free writing (some with carrots, some with sticks):
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- Written? Kitten!
- Write or Die
- Writemonkey – I love Writemonkey. Seriously.
Music/Ambient noise:
Dictionary/Thesaurus: m-w.com
Translator: translate.google.com
Plot Generator: writingexercises.co.uk/plotgenerator.php
Writing Prompts: writingprompts.com/
Character names:
- Most popular U.S. baby names by decade/state
- Most common surnames throughout the world
- Most common given names throughout the world