NaNo for the New and the Insane

I wrote this collection in 2006 and have had it available for free on my site. This year, though, I rewrote it and put it up for free on Smashwords. Now you can download the beast in a number of different ebook formats, plus text versions.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/84837

This book includes at lot of tips and tricks for NaNo. I hope you enjoy it

I will not take it as a bad sign that as soon as I got the book up, the site went down.

There are no conspiracies against me.

Really.

Blame it on Irene...

Smashwords' biggest weakness is accessibility. I can't count the number of times I've simply had to give up using it because pages took forever to load or just didn't.

I'd completely forgotten about your book. I'd read it, but don't remember much about it. I think I've read so much about NaNo that it all blurs together. Plus, I've worked out my own ways of getting through the month without either going crazy or crashing and burning. That said, I still go from being fairly confident to just plain sh-t scared as the the day approaches.

3 -- Irene -- that's a good excuse!

4 -- That's interesting that you have so much trouble with Smashwords. I order a great deal there, and while -- like above -- they are down on occasion, it's never been for very long. Since I know how sites work (and don't work), I expect it now and then. Actually, I've had more trouble accessing LibraryThing than I ever have Smashwords, so maybe it's just one of those odd things where our computers are making decisions for us. (grin)

Good that you've found your way, though!

I get very excited as the day approaches. I am really looking forward to it this year!

Zette, I'm about 2/3 through the book. Either I forgot just about all of it, or I only read it on the boards. I plan to rate and review it here and on Goodreads. I've been stumbling toward something like your phase outlining. I think it fits my style, so I'm going to work with it for the next couple of months.

I found a couple of typos. I can post them here, or send you a message somewhere. Goodreads okay? I don't even know if you can send messages here, but will check.

Oh yes, please send the typos on! I think you can click on my name and leave a message on my page.

Thank you!

Zette, I couldn't find a message link, so I sent it to your profile on Goodreads.

Oh thank you! I need to head over there, then. GoodReads is not one of my regular stops, especially during the crazed 'end of the month must get everything done and updated' insanity!

C. S. McCellan -- thank you for the wonderful review, too. I've been giving this book away for years, and I think this is the first review I've ever seen of it! Though maybe that's not true, since I have seen it mentioned in blogs now and then!

I'm looking foward to this year, if I can just get the work done before November!

I first did NaNo in 2007 and somehow made it across the finish line at 56k. However, in the years since, real life has gotten in the way and this will be my first attempt since then. Lizette, I'm about half-way through your book and SO wishing I had read it prior to 2007. I think that month would have been much easier had I read it then and I know it's going to be a huge help this year. Thank you so much for making this available.

Zette, thanks for sharing your experiences. I have sent the link to three students who are writing novels as part of their senior projects.

I'm glad people are finding it helpful again!

LulaJane -- just a note: It's Lazette not Lizette. Just so you know!

I'm falling behind on my preparations, but I hope to get caught up in October!

Just a quick reminder not to forget to grab this book.

Have fun with NaNo!

Great news, Zette! I've read it a couple of times ~ it's been so helpful! ~ and have gotten something new out of it each time. Heading over to Smashwords to download it on my Kindle so I can read it again before Nov. 1. *crossing my fingers the site behaves*

I'm reading through Lazette's book now on work breaks and loving it. Had an outline in Word that I moved into Scrivener (working on getting my 30 points in there to write from!) and for the first time could see that I do have the bones of a good story. "Interviewed" a character yesterday, and that was pretty amazing. I'm learning so much from this--I think it's really going to enhance my NaNo experience.

Thanks!

Good luck to both of you! I hope you have fun with the book and with NaNo!

Not new, but clearly insane if your saw my pre-video:

http://youtu.be/SJ5x6PnCGpY

I am a seat-of the-pantser. I have my beginning and ending in my head, and just need to fill in the middle with whatever comes into my head.

Good luck, everyone!!

MGP

What I'm loving about doing a phase outline is that when I read it over, it's like an extended synopsis of the novel. It's easy to see where I need to add scenes, and just as easy to drop them in. My outline's pretty much done, at 3,000 words, though there are still spots that can use a bit of filling in. I'm about as ready as I can be, so today I'm working on editing last year's novel.

19 Definitely going to be easier for you with an outline :) However, I will know moments of sheer terror ;)

MGP

The phase outline method really proved itself today. Less than 275 words of outline turned into 5k. Of course, I'm already shifting parts of it around, but basically, it's a cinch to stay on the mark with it.

I kiss the tips of my fingers to you, Zette.

LOL! Well, I'm glad it's working so well for you! And yes, you almost immediately begin moving stuff around with an outline. It doesn't help when you realize you kind of screwed up your timeline, too. (One of those 'no hold it, she can't do that yet' moments.)

I'm working with two timelines that I hadn't really worked out in detail yet, so the outline makes it easy to coordinate them. Two people in two different situations at roughly the same time. They'll eventually be brought together, so it's been an interesting dance to work with both.