NaNoWriMo Day #1: It's Go Time!

Last month (the best month of the year, as far as I'm concerned), I counted down the days to Halloween. Today, I start counting UP—this time, tracking the days until the end of National Novel Writing Month, otherwise known as NaNoWriMo. And this year, I'm doing the "young writers" program that was just launched. Here's how it works. (Heads up, you need an adult's permission.)

So anyway, throughout November, I'll post writing tips, story starters, and motivational posts to help you hit your goal of....50,000 words? Yikes! That's a bit ambitious for me, so I've set my goal at 10,000 words in 30 days, which is double my usual amount. I'm really going to dig in this year.

That means writing 334 words a day, which doesn't seem like a lot—well, it's double the amount I had to write last year—but with school and homework and all of the other things in my life (like Christmas!) it will still take dedication and commitment.

Which is why I'm kicking off my NaNoWriMo posts with 5 Tips For Success.

1. Prepare. Create character profiles and carve out some daily writing time. For me, that's going to be an hour after dinner or if I can swing an early morning start, an hour BEFORE school. <Gulp.> 
2. Create an outline. It doesn't have to be detailed, but you should have a general idea of where your story starts and ends, with a couple of key things that happen in the middle. I created my poster board the other day, and I'll be adding post-it notes to capture all of my ideas. Do you have a system you use? 
3. Keep a journal. There is nothing worse than walking to school and having the best idea, and then forgetting it as soon as you get home. Carry a journal and jot down those ideas! (If you're like me, this will be easy peasy...I always carry a notebook.) 
4. Plan motivators. Give yourself simple rewards for every milestone. For me, I'm going to dig into that Halloween candy only after I hit each daily word count goal. Well, and maybe some extra reading time...or watching a movie. But ONLY after I'm done. 
5. Limit distractions. Find a quiet place to write and turn off your social media. I like to write at the kitchen table, but even with headphones, my sister talks to much. I think I'll hang out in my room again. 

Do you have something to add? Are you doing NaNoWriMo on your own or with your class? Tell me about your story! Let's motivate each other to get writing.

Gotta jet! See you tomorrow—with at least 334 words written, amiright?

~ Chase Superman Duffy