Get Ready! How to Prepare for National Novel Writing Month NOW By Rochelle Melander a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hi Everyone

Today we have a guest blog article by Author and Writing Coach Rochelle Melander and we are giving away a free signed copy of her book, Write-A-Thon, to one lucky person. All you have to do to enter the giveaway competition is to answer a few questions by clicking on the Rafflecopter Giveaway Link in the title of this post. In the meantime I will hand you over to Rochelle.

As a former Girl Scout, I’ve never forgotten the scouting motto: Be Prepared. Even thought school has just started and November seems far away—I’m getting ready for National Novel Writing Month right now. After several years of succeeding at NaNoWriMo and one epic fail, I’ve learned how to prepare. Here are three practices from my toolbox that will help you get ready for the month-long writing marathon:

1. Train Your Writing Muscles. NaNoWriMo novices often end up like the proverbial weekend warrior, jumping into the month with gusto only to be grounded by injury (my aching neck) or discouragement. Schedule daily writing time throughout the rest of September and October. Write daily pages, craft poems, or do fiction-writing prompts—just get words on paper each day. By the end of October you’ll be a seasoned writing professional, easily able to amass 1667 words a day! As a bonus, you’ll have already created space in your daily schedule to write.

2. Create a Story Bible. Filmmakers and television writers make use of a show bible—a document that contains information about character, setting and plot. Take time to create your own Story Bible for your National Novel Writing Month project. In past years, I’ve used three-ring binders, spiral notebooks, and index cards to collect my ideas about character, setting, and plot long before the month starts. During some of your writing time each day, create histories for your characters. Collect photos of your setting. Sketch out several scenes. In the middle of National Novel Writing Month, you won’t have to wonder what your characters might wear or do— you will just have to consult your story bible.

3. Collect energy boosts. Writing a book in a month takes an enormous amount of energy. During the next month and a half, pay attention to the activities that increase your energy. For me these include taking daily walks, eating healthy snacks, stretching, reading fun magazines, and listening to music. I’m collecting these ideas on a Pinterest board, so that when I hit the proverbial wall—I’ll have easy-to-access solutions. (http://pinterest.com/writenowcoach/exercises-food-and-tools-4-overwhelmed-writers/) I’m also stockpiling energy boosts in my office. I have a shelf in my closet that I am filling with yummy snacks, inspiring books and magazines, and a few new music albums. (Wow, I can’t wait for NaNoWriMo to start!)

Your turn. What are you doing to get ready for the month-long novel writing challenge?

Rochelle Melander is an author, speaker, and certified professional coach. She is the author of ten books, including Write-A-Thon: Write Your Book in 26 Days (and Live to Tell About It)Rochelle teaches professionals how to write good books fast, use writing to transform their lives, navigate the publishing world, and get published! Visit her online at www.writenowcoach.com

Rochelle Y. Melander

Author and Writing Coach

Editor, The Word in Season

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Author of the book,

Write-A-Thon: Write Your Book in 26 Days 

(And Live to Tell About It)

(Writers Digest Books, October 2011)

A 2011 ForeWord Book of the Year Finalist

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http://www.writenowcoach.com

http://www.writenowmastermind.com

rochelle@WriteNowCoach.com

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Competition closes on Friday 28th of September 2012.