The Snowflake Method + Characterization

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For the Scribblers' Conference.
The Snowflake Method is amazing. I'll just start off with that. Ever since I heard of it I've been using it. It's a ten-step outlining method from Randy Ingermanson (referenced yesterday). I won't be explaining it in this post because it's looooooong. And he explains it so well. There's no need for me to rephrase it all. (:
Now for the characterization part of today—yes, you have to do this. Your characters' personalities will affect their actions. Your main character isn't going to make a rash, last-minute decision and run off into a dangerous situation if they are a cautious and calculating person. Your characters' decisions are going to be what makes what happen in the plot. Plot and characterization work together, not separately.
Step Three and Step Seven of the Snowflake Method go into characterization. Below are a few of resources for making developed characters.
The Write Practice: 35 Questions to Ask Your Characters from Marcel Proust
The Write Practice: Characterization 101: How to Create Memorable Characters
Writer's Digest: Agent Donald Maas On: Your Tools for Character Building
Go Teen Writers: Identifying Your Characters' Weaknesses
Go Teen Writers: Identifying Your Characters' Strengths
Surly Muse: On Writing Strong (Female) Characters (This post has a few iffy pictures/words in it, but overall it's a good post. Some of the points work for male characters, too.)
Helping Writers Become Authors: Creating Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 1: Can You Structure Characters?
Helping Writers Become Authors: Creating Stunning Character Arcs, Pt. 2: The Lie Your Character Believes
Something that I've learned over the past six months is that your characters must be memorable. Not necessarily lovable (think Katniss. I hated her until Mockingjay), but you must relate to them. You understand them.
Another thing is that the villain has to be developed to. He/she/they need motives just like your other characters. They're human, too, usually. And this is all explained in the articles above, much better than I can.
I must say that characterization is probably the thing I struggle with most, so I don't feel very comfortable writing about it. I'm still trying to learn what my personality is. I'm getting there, though, and one day maybe I'll be an expert on the subject. ;)
♥
Bekah Joan

The Three Act Structure

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For the Scribblers' Conference.
This is something else I learned in my Novel in a Year class.
Basically, you have three acts and three disasters, along with a whole bunch of other awesome stuff. The above picture shows you the Three Act Structure combined with the Hero's Journey and the Character Arc (never heard of that, but it's pretty self-explanatory). You could figure out the Three Act Structure just by that picture, but here are a few other points (that correspond with the Hero's Journey) to help.

Act One
Act One is the first quarter of your book. Yes, I know it's odd that there are four quarters and three acts (at least that's what I thought), but writers and math don't mix, I guess.
Inciting Incident:
This happens after you introduce your character and his/her world. Make it happen fast. First chapter kind of fast. (I think. That's what I was supposed to do for school, at least.)
What is it? The inciting incident is when something happens to set the story in motion. It involves the main character. It doesn't have to be something bad. You're just disrupting it and making something change. I'm pretty sure my teacher put it this way: it could be someone dying or it could be someone getting pregnant. Whatever you want, I guess.

The First Disaster:
(This is also called "Plot Point #1" in many places.) It happens at the end of Act One. So a bit before or at a quarter of the way through the book. At the VERY end of Act One, you're character makes his/her choice that there's no going back from. To help you gain your bearings, this is "Crossing the Threshold" in the Hero's Journey.

What is it? A disaster. Obviously. It's something that isn't going to be resolved until the end of the book. You turn your main character's world upside down and then expect them to keep going. According to Randy Ingermanson, it's okay for the first disaster to be caused by external things and not caused by your main character.

Act Two
Act Two consists of the next two quarters of your book. This is also where things get messy and confusing for me. I've heard two different things about this act. So first I'll tell you what my teacher taught me and my classmates, and then I'll tell you what I've heard while doing research for this post and other stuffs.
The Midpoint:
What me teacher (and others) say: the midpoint of the book—also the midpoint of Act Two—is "the threat of death." This isn't a major disaster (or otherwise called a major plot point).
What is it? This threat of death doesn't have to be physical. It can be, but it can also be relational or emotional or career-related or whatever.
The Second Disaster:
(Also called "Plot Point #2" in many places.) What my teacher (and others) say: this can happen from anywhere a bit before the midpoint of the book to right before three-quarters of the way through the book. Yes. Lots of room there.
What Randy Ingermanson (and others) say: The second disaster happens halfway through Act Two—not as far as three quarters of the way through. This is in place of the "threat of death."
What is it? Mr. Ingermanson says that the second disaster should be caused by the main character trying to "fix things." The first disaster happens, things don't get better, so your main character tries again (and fails) to resolve the conflict.

Act Three
The last quarter of your book.
The Third Disaster:
(Also know as the climax.) Mr. Ingermanson has the climax at the end of Act Two, but according to my teacher and what she said her editor said, the resolution can't take up a quarter of the book. That would make it to long. So, the climax is going to hang out in Act Three with the resolution. At least for this post.
It's the climax, so things get...climactic.
What is it? Your main character has tried to fix the first disaster, which resulted in the second disaster. Then he/she tried to fix that mess, and look! Climax time! This is when your main character must battle and defeat the villain (or, if it's a series, you kinda-sorta defeat the villain. But if you completely defeat the villain in the first book, what are the rest of the books going to be about?) This is the black moment. Your main character is at his/her lowest. He/she thinks that if she can't defeat the villain, he/she will never recover.
The Resolution:
This should only be one or two chapters long. The disasters and conflict have been resolved. Everything is slowing down. Your characters actually have a chance to breathe. This is the "Return of the Elixir" for the Hero's Journey. Goals have been accomplished and lessons have been learned.
The end!

DISCLAIMER: (because I'm terribly insecure.)

I'm seventeen. I'm not published. Okay, I am, on here and on Figment, but not really published. You could say I'm inexperienced. Very inexperienced. I'm still in the learning process. The Hero's Journey was created by some awesome guy named Joseph Campell. My teacher taught me this, and then I used the notes from her class and came up with these explanations of the 12 steps. I've probably misinterpreted at least a few things. So Google this and ask actual published writers about it and DO YOUR RESEARCH.

♥

Bekah Joan

geez. i have gone over and over and over this post, but writing it in one sitting has slightly damaged my brain, i think. i do apologize terribly for anything that's worded wrongly or anything. ughhh i need foooooood. <--haha wow sorry. but seriously it's seven o'clock (yeah i know not that late) and i haven't had dinner and i'm hungry. bye.

The Hero's Journey

For the Scribblers' Conference.
I learned about the Hero's Journey in late summer/early fall when school started. I'm taking a Novel in a Year class, taught by Amy Wallace, from Landry Academy.
Now I know what an outline is actually supposed to look like! (Why didn't I think to Google what the outlining process was before? I've been asking myself the same question since I started school again. But this class is so much fun, so I'm kind of glad I didn't know all of this stuff.)
So in case some of you writer-friends don't know what I'm talking about, keep reading. Everything will start to make sense!

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Onward!
This is the plot structure that Mrs. Wallace said is for publishing.
There are... (*checks class notes*) twelve steps in the Hero's Journey. They are:

1. The Ordinary World

This is the first part of the book, obviously. You're supposed to make the reader and the character connect through the hero's life—characterize your character. What does your hero want? Stuff like that.

2. The Call to Adventure

(Whenever I read this, a trumpet blast goes off in my head. Strangest thing, I know.)

This is where you destroy the hero's world. (No, you don't literally have to blow it up. But hey—I like explosions. NOT IN REAL LIFE. Please don't take that the wrong way.) But they have to be called to an adventure. Obviously.

3. Refusal of the Call

Your character doesn't want to do what he/she has to do. They go, kicking and screaming, "I DON'T WANT TO I WANT TO STAY IN MY ORDINARY WORLD WHERE I BELONG LEAVE ME ALONEEEE."

Geez, sorry for the caps. But it just fits.

4. Meeting with the Mentor

Give the character someone to look up to for advice—who isn't perfect. The mentor will help the character through the book.

5. Crossing the Threshold

Here your hero has to commit to the journey/adventure. There's no going back. Your hero is going to go along with something unfamiliar and strange. He/she can't go back on his decision.

6. Tests, Allies, and Enemies

There must be tests (you can't have a good book without conflict). There must be friends. There must be at least one enemy, whether human or not.

7. Approach

There are challenges. Major challenges. Three of them, actually. (More on that when I attempt to talk about the Three Act Structure in what will hopefully be my next post.) They are terrible and happen because the hero tries to fix everything and fails. Again, more on that later. The challenges are dangerous. Possibly not physically, depending on your genre. I think.

8. The Ordeal

So this is basically the climax/right after the climax. Everything goes wrong. All is lost. The character's worst fear comes true. My SUPER amazing teacher (no like seriously. She's a Christian and a Whovian. Those two things right there are enough.), Mrs. Wallace, said that the black moment should be when your hero is at the point that if they don't get away from/defeat the villain, they think they won't recover. Or at least I think that's what she said. It sounds right. *Googles it.* Yup. Sounds good.

9. The Reward

Something is won, whether it's the hero's life or another character's life or a physical thing, etc. And the hero is still in danger.

10. The Road Back

The hero goes back home, or to his/her new home, or wherever his/her new destination is, etc. What happens? What does the hero encounter?

11. The Resurrection

This is the hero's epiphany. Whatever they've been struggling with internally throughout the whole book finally makes sense. They bloom. They become a better person. Stuff like that.

12. Return with the Elixir

There are lessons learned. The goals have been accomplished. Precious treasures/artifacts are back where they're supposed to be (or if it's a series and you like cliffhangers, some precious artifact/person is not where it/he/she is supposed to be. Think Rick Riordan. Percabeth. Tartarus. Ouch.)

And that's that!

DISCLAIMER: (because I'm terribly insecure.)

I'm seventeen. I'm not published. Okay, I am, on here and on Figment, but not really published. You could say I'm inexperienced. Very inexperienced. I'm still in the learning process. The Hero's Journey was created by some awesome guy named Joseph Campell. My teacher taught me this, and then I used the notes from her class and came up with these explanations of the 12 steps. I've probably misinterpreted at least a few things. So Google this and ask actual published writers about it and DO YOUR RESEARCH.

♥

Bekah Joan

Scribblers' Conference 2014

Geez, I meant to do this post a long time ago.

Find out more information here.

I'll be doing two or three posts on my blog for this. The posts will be on plotting/outlining. It shall be fun. If any of you would like to do a post series for this, just comment on the post (read it first, so you understand) and give Anne what she asks for.

The deadline for this is tomorrow, February 14th, 2014.

Sorry for the short notice.

Okay, I have to go. My writing class starts in eight minutes. Well, hopefully. My teacher is having weather problems so she might not be there and I might have to watch the recording, which is only thirty minutes long instead of ninety minutes.

THIS IS SO SAD THAT CLASS IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY WEEK GAHHHH.

Sorry. I hope she's there.

Happy writing (or schoolworking or dancing or eating or fangirling or whatever you non-writer readers of mine do), my dears.

♥

Bekah Joan
Edit: she's not there. Alas. So sad. *Sigh.* Well, off to watch the recording!

NaNoWriMo Interview #2: Ashley Tahg

Hey, guys! I had the pleasure of interviewing the lovely Ashley Tahg. (A wonderful girl, to be sure. You all should go check out her blog.) So, read on and enjoy!

What music do you listen to when you write?

It really depends on what exactly, for example, last NaNo I listened to a lot of Blackmore's Night, since it fit my novel at the time.  This NaNo, I'll be listening to the PoTC soundtrack, as well as rag tag mixture of other movie soundtracks.  I do have AWOLNATION's Sail in my list as well. 

What food/drinks do you eat/drink while writing?

Chocolate, skittles and Tea, preferably Earl Grey or Irish Breakfast.  But, I might add a bit of Jasmine to the mix since a balanced diet is a recommended thing. ;) 

Which movies/TV shows do you watch when you need to take a break?

I really don't know! I'll probably abstain from movie/tv watching as much as possible, since I can easily become uninspired/inspiredforotherthings when watching those, but I see myself doing quite a lot of book reading when I need to take a chill, and around the 16th, I'll be seeing Thor in theaters, so there's that.

How do you conquer Writer’s Block?

My philosophy, when stuck by the block, is that I've been pressuring myself too hard, be it over a plot hole I hadn't foreseen, or getting to that word count goal, and that I need to take a step back and relax. Granted, during NaNo, there will be a lot of pressure, but when I feel my head beginning to ache, I'll probably take the day off.  I'd rather tack the remaining words on to the next day and take the time to listen to music outside of my novel playlist and maybe go make some cupcakes, or even work on one of my non-nano novels.  I'm really just laid back on how I deal with it.

Do you write caffeinated or un-caffeinated?

Oh no caffeine for me.  It gives me a sugar rush that results in more dancing than writing, and a skull splitting headache in the end.  In the end, it does me more harm than good.  I'm really good at pulling all-nighters without it anyway, so, I'll just go decaffeinated.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Ready for a list?
Mirriam Neal (I beta read her novels and oh world, you are in for a treat after she publishes more of her novels!) 

Robin McKinley (she has really inspired my walk as a writer) 

John Flanagan (His skill at writing wit and smart talk remains to be something I seek to learn)

Amanda Sun (she still has a bit of becoming to do, but she really knows how to spin an entertaining story that keeps you reading)

and Chautona Havig (This lady knows how to pump out those novels! And she has a finger in so many genres, and has a real knack for writing books that never fail to cheer me up when I'm blue. When I'm sick, I delve into her books) 

What’s your novel about (either NaNo Novel, current piece, past novel, etc.)?

I'll talk about my NaNo novel, since all my other books are too numbered to speak about in one post and not monopolize your time. 

If I were to sum it up in a dreadfully short sentence, I could say, "Freed slave joins pirate crew to extract revenge for family's death", and while that suffices, it has a far too business like feel to it, wouldn't you agree? 

In Sails of Blood, Ababou, the FMC, is captured by slavers with her brother and sister when she is only 18, and is forced to one by one watch her family die before her eyes while she is left alone, chained in a hold.  

She is eventually saved by a tall, curly haired gentleman pirate (modeled after Tom Hiddleston in his appearance in Return to Cranford) who lets her stay on his ship until she can format a plan for what she wants to do.  She decides to stay on and use him and the crew of the Belladonna to get revenge on the slavers who ruined her life and her family. 

But she doesn't see quite how expensive the road of revenge is, and her new companions will slowly pay the price.

If you could give just one writing tip for NaNoWriMo, what would it be?

Don't freak out.
I know, it feels like a big undertaking, but in reality, if you keep your head on your shoulder, and take it in stride, you can totally do it.  People will be telling you how stressful and intense it is, but just keep calm and reach that wordcount and you will be perfectly fine. Maybe a little sleep deprived, and you may feel a bit anti-social, but you can do this thing. 

And then, if I may, a second tip, is find someone to talk to throughout the month.  Never devalue how life saving a fellow nanoer can be, someone to ask about your word count, and keep you excited. 

What’s your favorite part about NaNoWriMo?
The connection with other writers.  Its like, this big huge family reunion, and it brings writers together in so many marvelous ways.  Romance writers are word warring with Sci-fi writers, and you meet all these new people.  I know, its funny that an event known for making hermits out of writers, that I would say the socialization is the best thing, but it really is.
Last year, an internet friend of mine added me to a group she created for NaNo, and we've remained a tight knit group (not without our scuffles, granted. Don't get me started on the time we all got mad at each other over the American vs. British guys debate.  It was intense) and we've encouraged each other all through 2012 and 2013, and I'm just so very grateful for my writing group.  I've no idea how I could have made it through without them.

Where do you get your inspiration from, or do you just write without it? Both?

Music, music videos and Pinterest.
All it takes is a pin, and boom, story idea. and I've made so many blooming novels from kpop music videos. It's crazy.  I'm almost to the point where I can't watch kpop music videos without being fully prepared to have a new novel. 

And then, there have been so many times I've heard a song that has applied to my current novels, and I find ways to include all the new ideas it gives me in, even if the ideas are as minute as a sweater color, or as large as a new character. 

Have you done NaNoWriMo (including camp) in previous years? If yes, how many times have you done it/won?

I've never done camp, since summer is always just a really busy month for me, but I have done NaNoWriMo.  Last year (2012) was actually my first go at it, so I'm fairly a newbie, but I'm already a hardcore NaNohead, and I really just can't see why I would ever skip this event.
I won last year, reaching 50,002 words before realizing I had won, and then I stopped and haven't written anything in that novel since.

What’s your favorite writing website/blog?

I really love Go Teen Writers, it has been a lifesaver twice over.   I also kinda have a mini obsession with Imagine your OTP, since it's given me so many cute and fluffy scenes for my own characters. You just have to be very very careful, since it has some pretty dirty things, as some people enjoy writing dirty slash fiction.

Do you have an author who you look up to? If so, whom?

Robin McKinley. Oh my word that woman writes gold and magic. If I could only write half as beautifully and perfect as she, I would be content. 

Where can you be found on the NaNoWriMo website (if you don’t have an account, that’s fine)?

I can be found right here, thank you for asking. ;)  I'm totally open for buddy requests, just drop a hint on who you are (or, more than a hint would be nice. I'm not the best at decoding vague references) and I'll add you back!

Where can you be found otherwise?

I can be found at my blog, Cheery-O!, and I have a Pinterest.  I'm also writing a role play novel with a couple writing friends, and while it is in severe need of a new chapter (I'm working on ratting on the girl responsible for that) might as well share a link to The Incantevole Tales as well.

....

Awesome! Thanks so much for doing this, Ashley! It was fun.

Happy writing!

Bekah Joan

NaNoWriMo Interview #1: Rose C.

Hey, guys! Meet Rose. She's an absolutely wonderful writer. (Go check her out. Her stories are pretty darn awesome.)
Rose's interview will be the first one in a series of NaNoWriMo interviews that I'm doing. Hang on for the ride—personally, I think I've recruited some talented writers with a lot of good knowledge to share.

What music do you listen to when you write?

I don't usually listen to music as I write. It tends to distract my frazzled mind. :}

What food/drinks do you eat/drink while writing?

Frankly, I eat or drink anything I can find. O.o But since I usually do all my writing in my room and there's a "no food in your rooms" policy here... Water. Water is the way to go. ;}

Which movies/TV shows do you watch when you need to take a break?

Anything, really. From Disney's Jessie to AMC's The Walking Dead.

How do you conquer Writer’s Block?

I use many "conquering" techniques. I either: a) push on, b) take a big-ish writing break, or c) give up on that story [for now] and go to work on a different one.

Do you write caffeinated or un-caffeinated?

Un-caffeinated. I would use caffeine, if I could, but there aren't really any sources around here--so basically, the coffee is off-limits. :-/

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth, Andrew Fukuda, John Green...and those are just a few. ;)

What’s your novel about (either NaNo Novel, current piece, past novel, etc.)?

My current "Writing In Process" is about a teenage girl name Katherine, who was in a car accident with her parents. Kat not only loses both her parents, but suffers from memory loss, and has a mind-boggling, romance-filled journey on her way to recovery...

If you could give just one writing tip for NaNoWriMo, what would it be?

Don't give up. The writing is [probably] going to be hard, and you're going to struggle, but it will all be worth it in the end.

What’s your favorite part about NaNoWriMo?

I would say seeing the finished product is the best part. In the end, all your struggles are worth it because you'll have a BOOK on your hands! :)

Where do you get your inspiration from, or do you just write without it? Both?

I get my inspiration from lots of things. Real life, blogs, social media sights, quotes, photos... There always seems to be that one thing that catches my eye and makes me really think, yah know? And thinking almost always leads to writing, with me. ;)

Have you done NaNoWriMo (including camp) in previous years? If yes, how many times have you done it/won?

I have. I did a camp NaNoWriMo in -- I think -- July or August, of this year. So I've only done it once, but I am looking forward to doing it this year, in November.

What’s your favorite writing website/blog?

think. eat. write. read. <-- THAT is my favorite blog. :} Mackenzie has a lovely writing style and her posts are just flawless. But there's also Go Teen Writers, which is an amazing writers help blog that has saved me multiple times.

Do you have an author who you look up to? If so, whom?

I look up to many authors, but I think the one that sticks out the most is Veronica Roth. Her book/s have really inspired me, especially since she started writing her first book--Divergent--in college, which makes me think; though I've started writing at a young-ish age--which is both an advantage and a disadvantage--I still might have a shot at writing something people might think is worth reading...

Where can you be found on the NaNoWriMo website (if you don’t have an account, that’s fine)?

On NaNoWriMo.org my user name is radioactive_rose, so you can find me there. :)

Where can you be found otherwise?

I can be found at the blog, Truly. Madly. Deeply., on pinterest, wattpad, weheartit, tumblr, or you can email me at rosecolflesh@gmail.com!

....

Thanks so much for doing this, Rose! I enjoyed getting to interview you!
Happy writing!
Bekah Joan

Tips for Surviving Both NaNoWriMo and Life

I was asked to do a post on this, so we shall see what happens. I think I'll do it in a "do" and "don't" kind of way...

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Do...

-Say no. Not to everything, mind you. Decide what's more important: spending time with friends or writing. School or writing. Work or writing. Your priorities must be straight. (And I am NOT saying that writing is always the way to go. Sometimes, people are more important.)
-Stay healthy. It'll help, I've been told.
-Be connected. Find other people involved with NaNoWriMo, whether on their website or in real life.
-Try staying up later than normal or getting up earlier than usual. (Notice the "or" there. I don't recommend trying both of these at the same time.)
-Remember that if you don't win, it's not the end of the world. This is something that I've had to learn personally, because I think there's a really huge chance that I'm not going to have 50,000 at the end of this November. However, I'm still going to try my absolute hardest. But I'm not going to sacrifice friendships/family/grades for this thing. (Yes, even school. I may not like it, but it's still a bigger priority than NaNoWriMo.)

Don't...

-Edit. Pleasepleaseplease. November is not for editing. When it comes to NaNoWriMo, it's just a waste of your time. If you edit, you probably (definitely) won't have time to finish 50K words.

-Stop writing. You must keep going. Even after you've hit your word goal for the day, keep going. You never know when time will mysteriously disappear and you won't have time to write.
-Give up. Remember, though, that this isn't a life or death thing. If you don't win, it's okay. You tried. You most likely tried your hardest. That's good.

. . . .

Last November was a bit of a struggle for me. I didn't think I was going to make it until the last few days, but then I just wrote and wrote and wrote. I'm pretty sure I actually finished a day early.
But my point: you have to write (obviously), and you have to do a lot of it. I ended up writing a lot at night, after all of my school was done. It was really hard to actually have a specific time to write, because I didn't know when I was going to be done with school. It was (and is) basically different every day. Like I said before: school is more important than NaNoWriMo. I don't like that fact, but that doesn't change it. Work before play.
If you can schedule writing into your schedule, by all means, I've heard it's a brilliant idea! If not, I suppose we can struggle through writing at random times together!
♥
Bekah Joan

NaNoWriMo Survival Guide

Hey, Rebekah here! I updated this post on my new blog with a 2019 NaNoWriMo calendar and everything. View the new guide right here!

Looking for something to read?

Check out my FREE book, The Runaway House, on Wattpad:

When Lee witnesses a murder, her only chance at survival is running. Somewhere along the way she meets a man who takes her to The Runaway House, a safe place for fugitives and runaways. There she begins to find peace, courage, love, and a real family.

Check it out here.

Hey, there! I'm glad you've stopped by to make your NaNoWriMo experience amazing!

This is a two-parted survival guide. Part I consists of tips and tricks I've seen, heard, read, or experienced. Part II consists of supplies I’ve discovered are helpful to have handy.
This is here to help you prepare for NaNoWriMo, along with struggling through it. Please, please don't read just summaries. You can do that at first, but click on the links. They're a lot more helpful than the summaries, and they're written by adults with more experience, not some sixteen-year-old girl who's only done NaNoWriMo once before.

There’s a lot of information here, and quite a bit of it is repeated. But the more it’s repeated, the more important it probably is.

I’ve been accumulating this information since May, so if this isn’t the best survival guide you can find, well…I wouldn’t be surprised. But I did put a lot of time and effort into this, so take a look. Who knows—you might even learn something (I did).

Oh, and here's a random thing (that's not so random, really. It fits here). Go check out The Office of Letters and Light's blog. It's quite helpful.

Image Courtesy of National Novel Writing Month.

Part I: Tips & Tricks

1. Trick Yourself.

In The Write Practice's post 7 Tricks to Write More with Less Willpower, Joe Bunting talks about how to trick your subconscious into writing for you (#3). This works, guys. I've tried it. It's very helpful for when you just don't feel like writing in general. (To be honest, this whole post is a great reference for NaNoWriMo AND writing in general.)

2. Write or Die.

(No, not literally.) If you haven't heard of Write or Die by Dr. Wicked, I pity you. You need to check it out, especially if you're a NaNoer. I found it last year, at the end of November. Basically, the thoughts running through my head were something like this: WHERE THE HECK HAVE YOU BEEN ALL OF MY LIFE? You set your word goal and a time goal, and then write (you don't have to get the desktop version one. There's an online version, under "apps")! But you can't stop for more than a few seconds without some form of punishment. Dr. Wicked's methods of punishment can be harsh or gentle, depending on the mode you set it on. But be careful! He will start erasing your words if you stop for too long.

3. Backwards NaNoWriMo.

I haven't tried this form of NaNoWriMo yet, but I guess it works . Basically, you write a lot on the first day of November, and as the month goes by, you don't have to write as much each day. On Day 30, you actually only have to write one word. That's right. One. Word.

4. Watch People.

Whenever you aren't writing, watch people. They'll give you ideas, and as the Write Practice says, they're "free inspiration."

5. Don't Edit.

Whenever I read or hear tips about NaNoWriMo, this one is always there. Don't edit. It's a waste of your time until you're done. Right now, just write. You can't afford to edit. You don't have time, and personally I think editing can be very draining and frustrating. So just wait.

6. Have a Plot.

Please, oh PLEASE. As Nathan Bransford stresses in his blog post Do You have a Plot?, you need to have a plot. Duh, you might think. But bear with me. If you actually read the post, it is explained that a plot is very different from a theme, and people tend to think of the theme as the plot. So before I get any more confusing, just read the post. Okay? No, seriously. Go read the post, make sure you have a plot, and if you don't, MAKE ONE. And make an outline, too. (I recommend the Snowflake Method, which was recommended to me by Amy Wallace. It's a lot of work, but so worth it.) I didn't have one last year, and it screwed me up. So have one. You'll stray from it, for sure, but you need to have one. That way, when you feel lost, you'll have something to come back to.

7. The Write Practice Again.

Here are five tips from The Write Practice (yes, yes, I really do like that website) on how to win NaNoWriMo. They're simple tips, but very effective.

1. Write with friends.
2. Write fast.
3. Don't edit.
4. Use a timer.
5. This isn't just about 50,000 words.

8. Don't Worry About the Names.

Last year, I got stuck on names. I wanted them to be right, and it took up a lot of time to find the right ones. But I learned a lesson from that fatal mistake: forget about the names. Either already have the names planned out, or if you come across an unexpected but nameless character, use a random name generator, like this one. Specifically that one because it's more than a name. It gives you an address, an email, phone number, Mother's maiden name, birthday, and a whole bunch of other random information. And don't generate over and over until you get one that you like. Stick with the first one. You can change it all later. But when you're writing for NaNoWriMo, it doesn't matter.

9. Sometimes, You Might Need a Boost in Creativity.

Shana Lebowitz compiled a list of 36 ways to boost creativity right over here. Some of these won't work for NaNoWriMo (I think visiting a country is out of the question, plus the whole asking for someone's opinion needs to wait until December. Right now you're just getting the words out, not trying to please someone else). But listening to music, writing by hand (even for a bit), or going to bed can be great options.

10. "Seeing is not Observing."

In this article, the power of taking field notes to enhance your observation skills is explained. But to me, I got something for writing out of it. Whenever you aren't writing, have a notebook. Always. Even by your bed at night (we all know that's when the best ideas come to us). Notice everything going on around you. Write down how the little boy's smile turned into a laugh when his mom started tickling him. See that rose? Describe everything about it. Take a picture of it if you have a camera with you. Just remember this: always be observing, and find a way to put those observations into your novel. It'll boost your word count and give your scene a bit more depth.

Besides, who doesn't like pretending to be Sherlock Holmes?

11. Reward Yourself.

I got this one from over here. They'll give you links to other articles that explain why and stuff. The point of the post: reward yourself when you do something significant. Not after every sentence. If you finish your word count for the day, celebrate. Get more done? Celebrate. You're halfway? Celebrate. But do NOT celebrate by not writing. As it says in the article, "never reward writing with not writing. Rewarding writing by abandoning your schedule is like rewarding yourself for quitting smoking by having a cigarette." -Paul J. Silvia

12. Know How to Defeat the Two Types of Writer's Block.

One of the NaNo pep talkers from last year (for the YWP), Ally Carter, wrote a post that helped me a lot. It's about the two types of Writer's Block, how to recognize them, and what to do about them. (Also, here are all of the pep talks from the YWP, and here are all of the ones for the "normal" NaNoWriMo.

13. Writer's Relief Comes to the Rescue!

(Yet another great writing website!) Over at Writer's Relief, their staff have given seven very helpful tips for NaNoWriMo. They are: prepare mentally, clear your calendar, create an outline, have draft notes, stock the fridge (healthy food, guys), exercise, and set rewards. Go read the post. They get more in depth, and they're probably some of the best tips I've found while putting this thing together.

14. Timers are Great.

You know they are. Don't deny it. They help keep you on track. Write or Die is a great one with a goal all set in, but if you don't like that, here's another one.

15. Make a Long Playlist and Don't Stop Until it Does.

Don't stop for anything. No food. No internet. No messing around. Nothing. (Okay, you can get up to pee, but that's it.)

16. SURVIVAL.

From The Office of Letters and Light, I show you eight tips they provide for surviving Camp NaNoWriMo, that are still very useful for NaNoWriMo. Or real life.
S-Size up to the situation. (You can do it.)
U-Use all your senses, Undue Haste Makes Waste. (Don't write so fast that your story is confusing, but don't write so slow that you can't finish in time.)
R-Remember Where You Are. (You're among friends, it's okay to suck, and you're at the beginning of the rest of your writing life.)
V-Vanquish Fear and Panic. (Forget about fear. It's pointless. Instead, have a plan, stick with it, and stop worrying.)
I-Improvise. (An acronymn.)

• Ideas
• Mayday Option
• Punting the Critic
• Reinventions
• Open Doors
• Volume
• Interaction
• Sidestepping
• Experimentation

V-Value Living. (People, experiences, etc. are our inspiration. We need them, and we can't shut them out. No piece of artwork is worth losing someone over.)
A-Act Like the Natives. (Learn from the professionals, but don't be mislead by fallacies. Basically, writers write. So write. A lot.)
L-Live by Your Wits, But for Now, Learn Basic Skills. (Make the story exciting while still improving on alliteration, metaphors, dialogue, etc.)

17. No Plot? No Problem!

The Office of Letters and Light has come up with three things to keep in mind while brainstorming for your plot.

1. Ideas are like celebrities.

2. Document everything.

3. Two stormy brains are better than one.

18. Just Write.

Sometimes, that's all you need to do. Just write, write, and write some more!

19. Forget Everything You've Just Read.

I've read over and over again that, when it comes to writing, the rules are optional. There's almost always some exception (including exceptions to this rule). So if something isn't working for you, maybe you can break that rule. You're a person. I'm a person. We have different opinions, lifestyles, methods, etc. Some rules work for me, some don't work for you.

Part II: Supplies

1. Healthy food.

Don't let yourself go completely unhealthy while you're going through NaNoWriMo. Writer's Relief suggests over here that "maintaining a healthy diet will keep you focused and alert for the long writing journey ahead of you."

2. Notebook, Pens, Pencils, etc.

Always carry these. ALWAYS. As mentioned earlier, if you decide to take field notes, you'll need these. Besides, you never know when a brilliant idea will pop into your head. And, as I have often experienced, I forget that idea if I don't write it down. (Especially at night. That's why I have a special notebook that I keep on my nightstand.)

3. Your Favorite Movies.

Yes, movies. And TV shows. Whatever you need to help you get over your problems, whether it's Type 2 Writer's Block (as mentioned here) or a lack of inspiration. Compile a list of your favorite movies/episodes and keep it handy. But don't watch one EVERY time you feel tired. Sometimes you just have to push through, because sometimes what you're feeling is Type 1 Writer's Block being sneaky. Watch out for him. That little bugger wants to ruin your November. Don't let him.

4. An Awesome Mug.

Picture this: you're writing away on a cold November night, wrapped up in a blanket with a mug of tea or hot chocolate or coffee or whatever you prefer. And what mug are you sipping your hot beverage from? It could be this fantastic Writer Mug, designed by yours truly. I worked hard on this and lovelovelove it, and you should too! Buy it (or browse other products!) here.

5. Your Brain.

Please don't forget this. Just...please. While it might be quite amusing for others to watch you try to write 50,000 words in thirty days without your brain, you'd be in a lot of pain.

6. NaNoWriMo Calendar.

It’s helpful to have your goals written down. Even if it’s just your normal calendar with the wordcount goals written on every day, do it. I have one at the end of this post that you can use. You can set it as your desktop background or print it off or whatever. It has the number day, the wordcount goal, and an inspiring quote/note, along with a couple challenges and prompts. (Don't like mine? Google search for one and you'll probably find one you like.)

7. Character Profiles.

These will come in handy, I've heard. What color were your character's eyes? Refer to the character profile instead of searching for it. Stuck on not knowing how your character would react to a certain situation? Look at their personality in their character profile. Of course, these should be made before November 1st. You can find the Official NaNoWriMo Character Questionnaire right here. The Write Practice has  the 35 Questions to Ask Your Character From Marcel Proust. Both are wonderful.

8. An Outline.

Outlining probably isn't your favorite thing. I get that. It's not my favorite either. But it must be done. The Snowflake Method is the long way around. But there are others. Even if you just write the beginning, middle, and end of the story—it's something.

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EDIT: Here's a 2015 NaNoWriMo calendar for you all! Good luck this year!

2016's Calendar:

Unfortunately, I didn't get around to making a 2016 calendar for NaNoWriMo. But I found this lovely one by Kiriska on DeviantArt!

Have any tips or tricks I didn't mention that you love to use? Post them in the comments!

I am also planning on posting a series of reminders, bits and pieces of encouragement, and possibly some interviews during November, so stay tuned! (Edit: you can find those in the 2013 archives.)