Plantember is almost over (before I could even make Plantember a thing) and that means that Preptober is almost here! If you’re planning on writing a novel in November, make sure you take some time in October to look through these NaNoWriMo resources!
Much like NaNoWriMo, Preptober is a time to obsess about all things writing. Only, it’s a lower key obsession, because you get to go full-on obsession in November. Preptober is like packing for the trip, and NaNoWriMo is like actually being on the trip, but the airline lost your luggage and your passport was stolen and then you got mugged in a back alley and some kind strangers are helping you out, but you don’t speak the language and you’re just trying not to cry.
Writing is fun.
NaNoWriMo comes but once a year (and Camp NaNoWriMo comes twice) so it’s a great time to write in solidarity with others. Sure, most NaNoWriMo projects don’t go beyond the draft stage, but some do. And you never regret the practice that makes you better, gang.
And even though you probably write all year round, there’s just something about the atmosphere of NaNoWriMo. It feels like going back to school shopping. It’s all notebooks and new pencils.
At least, that’s how it feels in my brain.
But NaNoWriMo is only as productive as you make it. So being prepared for November is key.
Anyhow, let’s chat all things NaNoWriMo resources so you can get your Preptober started off right.
NaNoWriMo Resources
It’s dangerous to go alone. I mean, you mostly write alone, but you need some stuff to keep you company. Or rather, to just help you as you write. So, with that, check out these NaNoWriMo resources to help you hit the ground running.
001: NaNoWriMo Ideas Generator
Using a tarot deck is a fun way to come up with story ideas. You can pull cards for story elements, or you can pull some cards to represent the conflict of your story. You don’t have to assume that the story takes place in a fantasy-medieval type setting, even though that’s what the images tend to lend themselves to. You can imagine a setting, and think about what a particular card would look like in that world.
Similarly, if you wanted use images to help you create a story idea, you could use of a million online AI art generators and just type in a phrase that you’d like to see visualized. Maybe the resulting image would be enough for you to come up with a story idea. It may be a great jumping off place, or it may be the whole story.
If you like to use name generators, then you may enjoy the process of using a name generator for the genre of your choosing and building a cast of characters from there. You can also generate the names of locations. You could build a whole world that’s just waiting for you to create a story.
002: Outlining for NaNoWriMo
There are tons of ways to outline your NaNoWriMo project. And if you want to try something new, November may be just the time for it.
The 90-Day Novel Planner is a great way to keep all your ideas in one place as well as track your writing progress. Sure, it’s for 90 days and not just a month, but even if you win NaNoWriMo, you’re probably not going to be done with your novel. So, for those who need more than a month, snag you a copy of this planner.
And if you want to try something completely different, I have this post on how to outline a novel with tarot cards. There are several methods listed, and it may be a fun way to play around with a story and step out of your comfort zone.
If you’re writing something a bit…spicier…I have this post on my romance novel outline too.
003: NaNoWriMo Activities
NaNoWriMo is great if you’d like to make writer friends. There are tons of meetups all over the place, and you can join all the fun local events. Make sure you have an account on the NaNoWriMo website and you’ve joined a local group. Then, wait for the emails to roll in about local meetups.
The events have always been a great way for me to stay on track with my writing, and they’re fun ways to shake up your writing routine.
004: NaNoWriMo Tools
First thing’s first: You need a productive coffee shop writing routine to get through NaNoWriMo.
If you’d like to do some homework before November gets here, I have this post on books for NaNoWriMo, and this post on Camp NaNoWriMo books and supplies.
I know Camp NaNoWriMo can be different than regular NaNoWriMo, but honestly, you need the same skills as a writer, so the recommendation stands!
Speaking of, I have a Camp NaNoWriMo survival kit and a Camp NaNoWriMo survival guide and a whole post about Camp NaNoWriMo prep for you.
YOU SHALL BE THE READIEST!
005: A NaNoWriMo PDF?
Because my Clifton Strengths Finder results clearly stated that strategy and futuristic thinking are basically my personality, I wrote this post knowing that folks do searches for a NaNoWriMo PDF and a Preptober Workbook PDF.
Do I have either of those for you? No.
But I have some ideas of how you can make your own.
Instead of looking for a ready-made PDF, consider what you actually need.
Are you looking for a word count tracker? Do you need a document for outlining? Do you really just need to focus on setting up a writer’s notebook to keep your shit together?
Whatever you’re looking for, be specific. Everyone and their brother has used those phrases to search engine optimize some products that you will spend dollars on, and you probably don’t need them.
Are You Ready for NaNoWriMo?
What will you be focusing on during Preptober? Do you have a novel idea ready to go? Are you sad Plantember is over?
