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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12271-NaNo-Tips.html
Contests & Activities: November 15, 2023 Issue [#12271]




 This week: NaNo Tips
  Edited by: spidey Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter


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Welcome to the Contests & Activities Newsletter. I'm spidey Author Icon, and I'm your Editor this week!




Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor


NaNoWriMo

As many of you probably know, November is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo (see last week's NL (nl:12241} for more detailed information), and I'm curious if you're participating or not.

I competed NaNo novels a few years back, but in the more recent years, I've been a bit too busy. I still cheer writers along from the sidelines, and I love hearing how people are able to get in their writing every day! For me, I didn't expect to get a polished novel out of it; it was more of an exercise and to prove to myself that I could do it. It was fun, and I loved connecting with other writers in my area and here on Writing.Com!

I'm assuming that if you're participating, you already know the serious tips, like planning ahead, outlining, setting aside time to write, etc. Here are a few sillier tips:

*Idea* Write for your mood. Skip around if you're struggling with a scene. It's much harder to write a scene when you're not feeling it. There's no rule that you have to write linear, you know? (Or even relevant scenes. Write a story from the character's past or childhood. Write about their hopes and dreams. What would your character write in a diary/journal? How would they react if they were suddenly visited by aliens? What if your character is also participating in NaNoWriMo? What would they write?)

*Idea* Write in something unexpected. A dinner party? A conversation with a stranger? Get super descriptive for more words. Write a love scene just for the sake of more words. Write in confusion and miscommunication between characters so they have to have a super-detailed conversation to understand one another.

*Idea* Dreams! I remember using descriptive dreams to pad my word count more than a few times. *Laugh*

*Idea* Get really descriptive about sights, smells, sounds. etc. Describe everything.

These are some silly ideas, but I like that they get me thinking about different aspects of a story that I might not consider. They help me really get into the mind of my characters and the setting.

I think these tips could work not just for NaNoWriMo, but also for writing in general. They could make fun contest prompts, too! *Wink*


Take care, and as always, keep on writing! *Quill*



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Editor's Picks







Official Writing.Com Contests & Activities:

 
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Good Deeds Get CASH! Open in new Window. [E]
Write reviews to win cash prizes!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon

 
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Quotation Inspiration: Official Contest Open in new Window. [ASR]
Use the quote provided to write a story and win big prizes!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon




Contests/Activities:

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

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NaNoWriMo Sprint Writers Forum Open in new Window. [13+]
Regular writing sprints during NaNoWriMo designed to boost your word counts.
by Brandiwyn🎶 Author Icon

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Thankful Poetry Contest Open in new Window. [13+]
An uplifting annual contest welcoming short poems about thanksgiving and gratitude.
by 🌻 thankful pwheeler nano Author Icon

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Mumsy's Dreidel Game Open in new Window. [ASR]
Hanukkah dreidel game
by Mummsy Author Icon

 
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The Very Simple Raffle is Now Closed Open in new Window. [E]
A weekly, 50/50 raffle, that's open to all. Tickets only 100 GPs.
by Krista Author Icon

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Give A Gift  Open in new Window. [E]
Merit Badges, Awardicons, Trophies ... oh, my!
by 👼intuey Author Icon

 
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Journaling Your Way Group Open in new Window. [E]
Cluttered Thoughts? Try Journaling!
by Sunny Author Icon

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NaNoWriMo Write-A-Thon Group Open in new Window. [E]
NaNoWriMo Write-A-Thon list of Writers, Sponsors and Teams
by Jeff Author Icon

The WDC NanoLounge Open in new Window. [13+]
A nano place to chat about NanoWrimo...
by The StoryMaster Author Icon




Some How/To Items that might help you:

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On Giving Reviews Open in new Window. [E]
Are you speechless when you stare at that little reviewing box? Here are some tips.
by Roseille ♥ Author Icon

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Helping Links Open in new Window. [ASR]
'Help Links' for Newbies and all other members who are still learning
by Maryann Author Icon



Some contest resources:
How to Create a Contest Open in new Window. [ASR]
Things you need to know before you open a contest. Includes a contest template.
by Angels in my Ear Author Icon

"Create/Edit a Message ForumOpen in new Window.
Newbie Hyperlinking 101 - Bitem Format Open in new Window. [E]
Learn the ins and outs of creating a link using the bitem format.
by NickiD89 Author Icon





Know of some gems that deserve exposure? Submit them in the feedback form or submission form at the end of this Newsletter, and I'll put them in my next one!



 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer


Feedback from my last newsletter "Contests & Activities Newsletter (October 18, 2023)Open in new Window. }, which discussed listening habits while writing:

I tend to prefer a single song on repeat, ideally a song I've already listened to. The song itself changes out regularly, although for some of my projects I may grab a song from that project's playlist. Yes, I have playlists for my projects, mostly to find the different tones and moods throughout the storyline. Whether it's a raucous after party in a luxury hotel or rumbling in a suburb-pampered pickup in the middle of urban warfare, I can usually find a song to fit a scene within the work. Playing that song while working on that scene (or a related snippet) does happen from time to time.. ~ Turkey DrumStik Author Icon

That sounds really cool! One trend I've noticed in some books is that author's will share playlists that match their story or book! I love knowing what songs inspire writers! *Smile*



Greetings Spidey,
I do hope you are doing well today. When I write I put my beats on then put on Pandora and listen to the Tina Turner Station. That channel will play Tina Turner the Queen of Rock as far as I am concerned love her, Madonna, Rod Stewart, folks like that. I am so bad at names and songs. I do know this much listening to music helps me a lot when I write. My fingers fly away unless I'm severely distracted with life or something else or just tired as I have been lately due to health reason. I will also say that I know mentioned in my last post I try to write out a schedule for the week. I break it down into segments of time as if it a work shift but I find it helps me get focused. First hour of my writing session will be the Writers Cramp entry, second half hour will be my short story in my Genre I am working on, then I try to devote a two and half hours to my novel I am working. The last hour is divided into 2 half hour segments first half is to do a review here and the last half hour is to do some form of writing studying as I call it. I am a member of a few websites and software programs that offers a lot of great stuff for me to learn like here at Writing.Com. I do tend to have a longer writing schedule over the weekend being I am off. That being said I don't always habitually follow that schedule and this month so far I haven't written much. Been not feeling so hot with my Diabetes so I am hopefully going to be able to take the reign and got back in the saddle. I know that was a mouthful. So sorry friend. Have a blessed day my friend. :)
Yours Truly,
Bill G.
- W.P. Gerace Author Icon

It sounds like you found what works for you! That's awesome! It's also good to know when you need a break. We all need breaks from time to time. Best wishes! *Smile*


good question. I start each day by writing my dreams, stories poetry ideas down, followed by my journal, etc then later editing the writing, and submit WC and Fan stories. I write until 10 am or so and often the rest of the day as well. I start off by watching the morning news (MSNBC Morning Joe, CNN, BBC, Arirang TV), and the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Bill Mahler) then after 10 am I turn it off, and the rest of the day I listen to blues, classical or Buddha bar music.. ~ JCosmos Author Icon

Sounds nice! Thanks for sharing! *Smile*


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Do you use writing exercises for NaNoWriMo or outside of NaNoWriMo?

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