What I Learnt from NaNoWriMo Last Year

NaNoWriMo. It could be every writer's favourite time of the year, or their worst nightmare. For me it was kind of in the middle, so I decided to make this post offering some (hopefully helpful) tips to all those participating this year, and my overall thoughts on the program.

Now I am no NaNo veteran, I only participated last year, but my experience is still pretty vivid that I thought it was worth telling. For starters, it was not as easy as I thought it was going to be. For me, I just thought that I would definitely be able to finish way before November ended and that I wouldn't need to prepare. Boy was I wrong! I went in with no rhyme or reason to my story whatsoever, that I suffered about five boughts of writer's block and left so many plot holes. I would advise, DO SOME PLANNING! Definitely sort your story out.

I also was kind of intimidated by it? I saw all of these older 20-something people on the website that were on their fourth year participating, all with published books and projects, and I just missed my teen blog buddies more than ever. I didn't really find any YA writers to connect with, which left me kind of overwhelmed, so I would say to definitely go out of your way to find other people participating that you're comfortable with talking to, it makes the experience a whole lot more enjoyable.

It seems like I'm making it out to look like I hated most of it, but I actually really took a lot of positive things from it! It's such a great motivator to look at your word count, update your progress, and meet your goal. If you're someone like me who is completely unmotivated all the time, setting a goal on a website like this really helps you to sit your ass down and write!

Once you complete your goal, you also get a lot of cool perks that make the hard work really worth it. You get all of these discounts on publishing websites, plus t-shirts, a certificate and more! Again, if you like the idea of rewards for your accomplishments, this really keeps you going.

Overall NaNoWriMo is a great way for you to practice your writing. It's an amazing tool for aspiring writers to complete a challenge, and kickstart their careers through publishing perks. However it was very overwhelming for me and also quite stressful, that for me, I definitely needed a year's break. However if you're up for the challenge, it can really pay off.

Have you participated in NaNoWriMo? What did you think about it?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Paperback's Pondering's: NaNoWriMo!

Paperback's Pondering's is a weekly discussion when I take a topic and well, ponder about it! This week's topic is about National Novel Writing Month!

Like a lot of readers, I really want to be a a writer when I grow. I know that it will take a lot of practice, and that is why I have decided to participate in NaNoWriMo this year! I do not know what to expect, nor do i know if I'll even finish my novel. But I am excited to find out!

Before beginning to blog, I had no idea what NaNoWriMo even was. It was only by seeing other bloggers talk about, that I fully grasped the concept. At first, I was a bit scared. How could people my age find the time to write a 50 000 word novel amidst school; not to mention the preparation leading up to it! I put in on the back burner, until this year, when I have finally taken the plunge!

The truth is, I am stressing about it. I have never written more than piddly short stories before, and finishing this novel is really important to me. I just don't know how I will be able to manage my time between homework, and my book! I have a few plans, like setting aside a specified time in my day completely away from any other distractions, but I do not know what to expect until I am actually there!

Another thing that is really crucial to me, is to not tell any of my friends and family that I'm doing this. The point is, I do not want everyone expecting me to come out with this book, and then I end up not finishing it. I know that this is not my goal at all, and I will try everything in my power to finish, but  I just don't want to embarrass myself.

What's really helped me out, is the actual NaNoWriMo website. It offers some great tips and tricks, and I have done my research about how the whole thing works. I just really want to have the best experience possible, and hopefully make some great writing buddies in the process as well. I love how you can support fellow writers on the website.

I guess I just have to wait and see what happens. I am excited for the entire process, and I know that I will come out with an amazing accomplishment after November's up. What makes it even better though, is that I will finally be able to live out something that's been years in the making :)

Have you ever joined NaNoWriMo? Do you have any tips?

Emily @ Paperback Princess