How to Survive NaNoWriMo: The Fandom Edition

It's that time of the year again when insane writers attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days. It's National Novel Writing Month time. This may seem like an insurmountable task, and as the month passes by, participants may start to feel overwhelmed. But have no fear! The best and brightest minds from the world's most famous fandoms are here to give you advice on how to survive NaNoWriMo. So whether you're a participant or you know someone who is attempting this grand feat, here's a little advice, fandom style.

When you sit down to write, prepare yourself by saying:

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Remember to wield your pen like Wonder Woman wields a sword, and you'll be sure to slay that word count goal.

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If you're a write-with-music kind of person, you have to make sure you find the right jams. Nothing makes monster hunting writing hard when the music is distracting; just ask Dean Winchester.

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If there are too many people distracting you, take a little advice from Sherlock and say...

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Or if you need a little help, call on your friends, Avengers style.

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When things get tough, take a break for...

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Or share a pint with friends.

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If you get stuck, make sure you have a back up plan, like Merlin.

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Or take a page out of Rick Grimes' book and write about stuff and thangs.

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If you make a mistake, do as Picard would and then move on.

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When in doubt, go to the library...

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Or add DRAGONS!

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But overall, as you write, don't forget...

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And may the odds be ever in your favor.

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Good luck, NaNoWriMoers!

The thumbnail was used using an overlay from nanowrimo.org

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What If Fictional Writers Participated In NaNoWriMo?

Even if you’re not participating in National Novel Writing Month,  you’ve probably heard quite a bit about what happens on November 1st. Writers everywhere set out on a quest to write 50,000 words in thirty days, resulting in all sorts of adventures in typos, plot problems, and writing marathons with friends and fellow participants.

But what if fictional writers participated in the fun of NaNoWriMo?

What would they write?  Would they be a NaNo rebel? Who would they recruit to join them?

I’ve chosen three famous writers from fiction and imagined what their approach to the writing challenge might be:

Bilbo Baggins
Since his writing project is technically a memoir, There And Back Again would qualify our dear Mr. Baggins as a NaNo rebel. Though he would likely brainstorm his ideas with close friends, ultimately he would take on NaNo alone, choosing the comfortable solace of his study to finish his book in relative peace.

His NaNoWriMo antagonist: Distraction.

Jo March
Jo March would probably enjoy the good-natured competition brought on by NaNoWriMo. Her project would be a work of fiction—probably a spectacular adventure with a dash of mystery and romance. Jo would recruit her sisters and friends to act out scenes from her stories and help her through the tough spots of writer’s block, but her writing would mostly be done alone. 

Her NaNoWriMo antagonist: Editing.

John Watson:
Amidst the business of solving cases and caring for his patients, Watson might be up for the challenge of transcribing cases and adventures in a month. Like Bilbo, he would be something of a NaNo rebel since his project would focus on real-life events rather than fiction. He’d talk about his projects with close friends but would likely write alone. Sherlock, however, would try to find out what is being written about him when Watson isn’t around.

His NaNoWriMo antagonist: Time.

Which fictional writer do you think would participate in NaNoWriMo?

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NaNoWriMo According to K-Dramas

During my travels through dramaland, I have collected copious amounts of screencaps which I use on a daily basis. (They're better than gifs, okay?) As I was sorting through these screencaps in a vain attempt to organize them, I realized that many of them perfectly portrayed the various stages of NaNoWriMo. If you're participating in National Novel Writing Month, you may relate to these as much as I did.

THE STAGES OF NANOWRIMO

 

When you realize your plot is flawed:

 

 

When you're struck with genius:

 

 

When your characters refuse to behave:

 

 

When you ask someone's opinion of your novel:

 

 

When someone suggests going outside/anywhere:

 

 

When there's that one character you really hate:

 

 

What people say to you all month:

 

 

 When people keep asking 'how's the writing coming' even when you've said 'fine':

 

When you decide you don't like your novel halfway through the month:

 

 

When other humans won't leave you alone:

 

 

When you have to give yourself a pep-talk:

 

 

When the entire dramatis persona misbehaves:

 

 

When you find that pesky plot hole:

 

 

When you fall behind your wordcount goal:

 

 

Your response to people who ask if you'll put them in your novel and kill them:

 

 

The best thing about writing:

 

 

And of course, December First:

 

 

 

Are you doing NaNoWriMo? How is your novel progressing? Can you relate to this post, or has it all been a piece of cake with icing on top?

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