Hillary’s Guide to NaNoWriMo: Table of Contents Mega Post!

I’ve written a TON of posts and articles about NaNoWriMo in my decade+ participating in the event and serving as an ML and I’ll be the first to admit that a lot of this info is really hard to find on this site. To that end, I’ve created this master post to serve as a Table of Content to all this info, though you’ll always just be able to browse the info newest to oldest here. I wrote some of these a LONG time ago so I apologize in advance if the prose is awkward or anything is out of date.

I’ve organized them into loose categories to make it easier to find what you’re after but they are otherwise in no particular order.

Introduction to the event itself & FAQ

• What is a NaNoWriMo word war (and how do you have one)?
• How to organize your own write-in event for NaNoWriMo
• NaNoWriMo buddy list: What’s it for? Tips and more.
• Collectible NaNoWriMo Stickers: What are they and where can you get them?
• What is NaNoWriMo? Frequently Asked Questions covered with this online interest meeting
• Ask a NaNoWriMo ML: Tips for attending a write-in, spotting other writers & more
• Ask a NaNoWriMo ML: What’s a NaNo rebel? How do you become one?
• Ask a NaNoWriMo ML: What does participation entail? Do I have to attend events in my area?

General advice & tips for meeting the challenge and the actual writing of a novel

• My 12 Step Guide for Succeeding at National Novel Writing Month Though it’s a bit old now, it’s a perennial favorite.
• 5 Tips for using Twitter during National Novel Writing Month
• Why Google Docs is a writer’s best friend: writing on the go, instant back-ups, advanced organization & tons of space
• Obsessing over your word count: Nerdy fun with NaNoWriMo numbers
• Wait, so how are you going to do NaNoWriMo if you can’t use your hands? Writing the handsfree novel. (A few years ago I had to write my entire NaNoWriMo novel using voice to text software and learned it’s not only doable, it’s actually much faster to write without typing!)
• 5 reasons it’s better to spread the first draft of your novel out over multiple document files
• Tips for NaNoWriMo Success: Don’t let names slow you down.
• Tips for NaNoWriMo Success: Let others’ word counts inspire, not discourage.
• Tips for NaNoWriMo Success: Get ahead early. Front load your word count.
• Tips for NaNoWriMo Success: Never, ever look back.
• NaNoWriMo Advanced Word Count Calculator (charts, percentages, stats and more!)
• Sprint your way to NaNoWriMo success by writing in timed bursts
• Want to finish your novel? When you feel like quitting, DON’T!
• Want to finish your book? Make the commitment. Then make it real.

Advice specifically geared to specific NaNoWriMo Weeks and Dates

Before the event starts…

• No more excuses! This is the year you finally write that story. (Same article but as a video.)
• In which I give you permission to start your NaNoWriMo novel early…
• Ask a NaNoWriMo ML: What should I write? (Hint: It’s what you’re most excited about!)
• What to expect if it’s your first NaNoWriMo
• 5 productive writing things to do while waiting for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) to start
• My NaNoWriMo inspirational newbie/first timer pep talk (National Novel Writing Month)
  
• Tips for keeping a new idea fresh when you’re stuck working on something else
• What to Expect During NaNoWriMo
  • Everyone writes at their own pace. Comparisons & jealousy do no good. 
  • Your story is longer, both literally and figuratively, than you think it is. 
  • Starting is hard. Everyone is terrified of the blank page. 
  • Your first draft won’t be as good as it sounded in your head.
  • Writing is work. It will require sacrifices to finish your novel.
  • Writing a novel is both fun and difficult. 
  • Some words will be harder than others to write. 

Week One

• Sing before you know the song. Write imperfectly. (Same article but as a video.)
• Writing something new: the terror of beginning
• NaNoWriMo Tips: 5 Reasons to get ahead early on your word count
• Making the most out of NaNoWriMo on this Presidential Election Day (Special bonus advice post that is only relevant every four years!)
• You’ll always be a better writer in your head than you’ll be in your first draft
• Why I won’t be wishing anyone good luck with NaNoWriMo anymore (Same article but as a video.)

Week Two

• The Curse of NaNoWriMo Week Two: Common problems and their solutions
• NaNoWriMo Week Two: get excited, be grateful, make it better & push right on through
• NaNoWriMo Halfway Point Check-up: What if the middle of 50,000 words isn’t the middle of your novel?
• The Middle of NaNoWriMo: Halfway point pep talk
• Make your writing a priority in your life. Give yourself permission to write. (Same article but as a video.)

Week Three

• NaNoWriMo: a quick note on Week Three
• One Step At a Time: a pep talk for NaNoWriMo rebels or anyone who’s fallen behind on their word count

Thanksgiving

• Tips for a productive NaNoWriMo Thanksgiving Weekend: Dealing with company, family & friends
• Tips for a productive NaNoWriMo Thanksgiving Weekend: Making the most of travel time

Week Four

• Stuck in your NaNoWriMo? Behind on word count? Constructive cheating that can actually help your novel
• NaNoWriMo Constructive Cheating: Increase your word count & actually help your story
• NaNoWriMo Week Four: Behind, ahead or on pace, keep writing for YOU
• NaNoWriMo Week 4: “I’m sick of sittin’ ’round here trying to write this book.” -Bruce Springsteen
• The pen is mighty. (A post election 2017 NaNoWriMo pep talk)

Winner Verification

• 50,000 words of Lorem Ipsum for copy and paste NaNoWriMo winner verification
• How to verify your word count & validate as a NaNoWriMo winner: step by step with visuals (wrote this in 2011, may need an update)

After NaNoWriMo is over (aka Now What?)

• So you didn’t win NaNoWriMo this year. You should still be proud of yourself for trying even if you fell short.
• You just finished a novel. Here’s what you DON’T do next…
• I just finished a novel. What do I do next? Let it sit.
• I just finished a novel. What do I do next? Revise & edit until it’s as good as you can make it on your own.
• I just finished a novel. What do I do next? Share with beta readers and critique partners.
• I just finished a novel. What do I do next? Determine your publication goals (if any).
• Fighting Draft Dread: How do you make yourself start editing that book you wrote?
• Five things you should know before you start editing your novel
• Adjusting to life after NaNoWriMo aka reclaiming your life but still making writing a priority
• Sick of your novel? Stuck in a story? Rework your prose as a script for a fresh perspective.
• Next steps: What do I do with that novel I wrote for NaNoWriMo? #NowWhat
• “Help! I have no motivation to complete my book. What should I do?”

Fundraising

• Word-a-thon? Get pledges & sponsors for your NaNoWriMo novel!
• How to donate to NaNoWriMo or Script Frenzy using eBay Giving Works
• #NaNoSelfieSprint Writing Challenge to Support NaNoWriMo

DANG, that’s a lot of articles. And I left a bunch out! Now you see why I was trying to compile them into a book…

I hope you find some of them helpful!