Be a NaNoWriMo Rebel (Or Not) by Jasper Ezekiel
Today I’m sharing “Be a NaNoWriMo Rebel (Or Not) by Jasper Ezekiel.”
But first an introduction by me, the blog editor, and creativity coach for writers, Beth Barany. (This article first appeared in Creativity Sparks. Subscribe here.)
Lots of changes happening over here as per usual. (As a Gemini, change is my middle name.)
And maybe it’s also the back-to-school energy, which I love.
I’m deep in edits on Book 5 in my Janey McCallister space station investigator series. I really love slowing down to make the decisions that need to be made on this paragraph and then this paragraph. It feels like I sinking deep into the most comfortable bed and drifting into dreamland – a dream that I get to create. So fun!
And I’m making a movie!!!!! A short film based on my work. More on that another time.
Also, I’m polishing up my marketing cycle for my PlanYourNovel.com material because NaNoWriMo is coming!!!! More on that below.
How are you doing with your creative projects?
Comment below and let us know.
❤️
Today’s article on writing is by Jasper Ezekiel, a published poet and fantasy novelist, with commentary by me.
Jasper works for me as an editorial assistant and copywriter and is a mentee in my beta Creative Entrepreneur program.
We love the energy of NaNoWriMo around here because it’s a great way to get focused and also be connected to a global community of writers.
Which is why I’m excited to share our NaNoWriMo rebel tips with you.
❤️
Be a NaNoWriMo Rebel
by Jasper Ezekiel and Beth Barany
We all know the rules for NaNoWriMo. But if you don’t know, here they are: Write 50,000 words in 30 days, approximately 1,667 words per day. Yep, that’s all.
But what if I told you that those rules were completely made up?
What if I told you that during NaNoWriMo, you could do whatever you wanted?
The thing about NaNoWriMo is that it’s merely a suggestion for how to complete your novel during the month.
If you’d like to complete your novel a different way or even do something else entirely to further your writing career during November, there’s nothing stopping you from doing it!
Take the chance this year and be a NaNo rebel! (We do!)
Here are some ways you can be a Nanowrimo rebel:
Adjust Your Word Count Goal
The first easy thing to change is your word count.
If 50,000 words seem too much to handle, try something smaller.
I’ve completed NaNoWriMo by writing 1,000 words everyday (to a total of 30,000 words in the month) and have found that, even though I don’t finish the novel in a month, I’m not driving myself crazy with that extra 20,000 words.
At the end of the month, I’ve accomplished my goal and can say so with pride! Woot!
Work on a Pre-Existing Project
One of the rules to NaNoWriMo is that you must work on a new project, but I know plenty of people who work on pre-existing projects during NaNoWriMo.
Working on a pre-existing project saves you the time and stress of having to plan something entirely new, while still giving you something fun and exciting to work on, something you’ve probably already set your heart on considering you started it in the first place!
So if you have a novel that’s halfway done, or maybe one you’ve had on the backburner for a while, NaNoWriMo is a good time to brush the dust off and get to work.
Work on Editing
NaNoWriMo doesn’t have to be used for just writing!
One thing you can do during NaNoWriMo is edit previously finished novels that you’ve been saving for a rainy day (and a burst of motivation, or maybe some community support.
You can even use the template of NaNoWriMo’s word count goal and create your own personal goals for editing.
For example: three pages a day, 1,800 words a day, or two scenes a day.
Meter it out so that the task is doable then hopefully, in the flurry of activity and excitement that NaNoWriMo brings, you can get it done!
(Beth here: I’ve often used Nano to make good progress on editing my novel and will do so again this year!)
Write a Query Letter Every Day
Beth here again. One year, years ago, I sent 1 query letter a day during the month of November.
I prepped ahead of time by building a list of 30-40 literary agents. I also had created a template query letter to be customized to each agent. And, I had a manuscript I felt was ready to go.
Then each day I did research to confirm the agent was still accepting material and if so, how they wanted to be queried.
Then I customized my query letter and emailed it.
Every day. For 30 days.
I felt accomplished. I felt like I had done a good effort to pitch my book. And I proved to myself that I could do this project of querying so diligently. (I’ll share what happened to that novel another time.)
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Your Turn – How will you be a Nanowrimo Rebel this year?
There are many ways to do NaNoWriMo and not all of them involve doing it the day that the rules laid out require you to.
If you’re anything like me, you see a list of rules and turn your nose up at it and think, “There has to be a better way!”
If you’re struggling to decide what to do for NaNoWriMo, you might decide to be a NaNo rebel this year instead!
Let us know how it goes!
And comment below and tell us on how you plan to use Nanowrimo this year. Rebel or not.
And, to get ready for Nanowrimo, use our story planning tools to help you get ready to write your novel with confidence and clarity.
Check out Plan Your Novel Like A Pro – the book and more! @ planyournovel.com.
There’s also a home study course with a 1-1 coaching/consulting optional add-on if you want customized support and accountability and to get the work done fast:
Plan Your Novel Like A Pro course
Stay tuned for another article on getting ready for NaNoWriMo next week.
♥️
Have a happy and creative week.
Best,
Beth
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Need some 1-1 customized support?
I work with science fiction and fantasy novelists working on innovative projects who desire clarity, forward momentum, and to live in their joy and passion. And want some discerning, customized support to get there!
I have a few openings for Fall 2023.
Normally $250 per session, I’m offering these sessions for $150 per session because you are a blog reader. And that tells me you’re committed to your writing!
Book a session for Fall 2023 here:
https://calendly.com/bethbarany/coaching-consulting-session-with-beth-b-1-hour
❤️
🌟
Beth Barany
Creativity Coach for Writers
Teacher, Speaker, Workshop Facilitator
Plus, Teaching tailored story writing curriculums for future-facing, bold organizations who want members to think outside the box and take action.
Creativity is the answer.
I not only teach and coach novelists, I am one too!
Author of *Magical Tales of Romance, Mystery, and Adventure*
author.bethbarany.com
Award-winning science fiction & fantasy novelist.
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Latest Posts on the Writer’s Fun Zone blog
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About Beth Barany
Beth Barany is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy novelist, and certified creativity coach for writers.
Through her courses, mastermind program, and 1-1 coaching, she specializes in helping science fiction and fantasy writers experience clarity, so they can write, revise, and proudly publish their novels to the delight of their readers.
