NaNoWriMo: To Prep or Not to Prep?
When it comes to a 30 day writing challenge like NaNoWriMo, do you need to prep beforehand to achieve success? Well, that might depend on what kind of writer you are.
October 31, 2020, I asked a friend if she was planning to join our group of writers for the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge.
“Ah,” she said. “Normally I would, but I totally forgot about it. I haven’t done any prep work!”
This got me thinking—do you need to prep for NaNoWriMo?
Friends, you must know this about me: I am a prepper. Not of the Doomsday variety, but in almost every other aspect. I have the kind of person who didn’t need to stock up on toilet paper at the start of 2020 because I already had enough to get my household through lockdown. When you ask me to throw a party, there’s no last-minute scrambling for the smaller details. Even when a wrench gets thrown into our plans, I’ve usually already got a backup plan ready to go.
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All this to say, that when it comes to prepping for NaNoWriMo, I’m usually starting in September and know the story inside and out by the time November 1 rolls around.
Not everyone’s brains work that way. There’s no right or wrong way to approach writing; only a right and wrong way for you. Because of that, NaNoWriMo creators and participants generally align themselves into several categories: plotters, pansters, or both.
Plotters are generally thought of as people who need a roadmap, a packed bag, and a tank full of gas before starting on the writing road; pansters, on the other hand, will jump in the car at a moment's notice just to go with the flow.
Before we continue our conversation, take this quiz to determine which you are!
If you identified with the notes on the left, then you're most likely a plotter! A plotter is a term most commonly applied to storytellers who like to plot their stories before writing them. A common tool used by the plotter is an outline that acts as a sort of road map or guide for writing the story.
If you connected with the notes on the right, then you're most likely a panster! A pantser is a term most commonly applied to fiction writers, especially novelists, who write their stories "by the seat of their pants." The opposite would be a plotter, or someone who uses outlines to help plot out their novels.
If you were split between the two, then you're probably a bit of both! You might like a little structure but also aren't afraid to pivot your project when needed.
Perhaps it is not a surprise that I generally align with the Plotter! What about you? I'd love to see what writing personality you got in the comments below.
To prep or not to prep? Well, I guess it depends on what kind of writer you are! For more information on NaNoWriMo (and the different ways to approach it) and how to prepare for it, try some of these articles here on the WD site:
- What Is NaNoWriMo?
- Storyboarding For Success: Plotters vs. Pantsers
- A Plotter's Roadmap to NaNoWriMo
- Your NaNoWriMo Survival Guide: Before, During, & After
- How to Prepare for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)
And don't forget to sign up for your free NaNoWriMo account here!
Since obtaining her MFA in fiction, Moriah Richard has worked with over 100 authors to help them achieve their publication dreams. As the managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine, she spearheads the world-building column Building Better Worlds, a 2023 Eddie & Ozzie Award winner. She also runs the Flash Fiction February Challenge on the WD blog, encouraging writers to pen one microstory a day over the course of the month and share their work with other participants. As a reader, Moriah is most interested in horror, fantasy, and romance, although she will read just about anything with a great hook.
Learn more about Moriah on her personal website.
