What I like about the four steps I used this month for NaNoWriMo is how they can be used in both Preptober and NaNoWriMo. Ideally, the writer can use Preptober to develop the characters. Once that is done, they can start using the four steps; the only question is which step to start NaNoWriMo with?
The answer to that question is: whatever step the writer is on when it’s November 1st, that’s when they start counting their words for NaNoWriMo.
Just for fun, I broke down the four steps into four tracks. This year, I had only done step one during Preptober, so I fall in to the category of Radical. Here’s all of the tracks:
Regular Track
Step 1: Write one complete sentence summarizing each scene during PREPTOBER.
Step 2: Turn each sentence into a five sentence paragraph during PREPTOBER.
Step 3: Turn each paragraph into five paragraphs during PREPTOBER.
Step 4: Turn the five paragraphs into a narrative during NANOWRIMO. Start word count here.
Pros: Sticks closer to the true spirit of NaNoWriMo; great for the writer who is a Planner; more chance to have a complete rough draft of novel.
Cons: Takes up a lot of time during Preptober; harder to reach word count because the writer is only using step 4.
Renegade Track
Step 1: Write one complete sentence summarizing each scene during PREPTOBER.
Step 2: Turn each sentence into a five sentence paragraph during PREPTOBER.
Step 3: Turn each paragraph into five paragraphs during NANOWRIMO. Start word count here.
Step 4: Turn the five paragraphs into a narrative during NANOWRIMO.
Pros: A good balance between Preptober and NaNoWriMo; ideal for the writer who is a Plantser.
Cons: The writer still has a lot of details to figure out before getting to the actual writing.
Radical Track
Step 1: Write one complete sentence summarizing each scene during PREPTOBER.
Step 2: Turn each sentence into a five sentence paragraph during NANOWRIMO. Start word count here.
Step 3: Turn each paragraph into five paragraphs during NANOWRIMO.
Step 4: Turn the five paragraphs into a narrative during NANOWRIMO.
Pros: Can use the word count of steps 2 and 3 to help build up the word count during NaNoWriMo; Benefits of doing a little planning in Preptober without taking up too much time; ideal for the writer who is a Plantser; by the time the writer gets to step 4, they know their story and the writing goes more smoothly.
Cons: Spends a lot of time writing the outline before getting to the actual writing; while the writer can achieve 50,000, there is less chance of completing a rough draft.
Rebel Track
Step 1: Write one complete sentence summarizing each scene during NANOWRIMO. Start word count here.
Step 2: Turn each sentence into a five sentence paragraph during NANOWRIMO.
Step 3: Turn each paragraph into five paragraphs during NANOWRIMO.
Step 4: Turn the five paragraphs into a narrative during NANOWRIMO.
Pros: Ideal for the writer who is a Pantser; can build up word count with steps 1-3.
Cons: May not get to the actual writing until later in the month; may go ahead and just skip to step 4.
So, whichever track a writer falls into, they should consider the pros and cons. I know for myself, I’m going to be using this writing method to create a fast draft even after NaNoWriMo.
Word count: 30,019
Andrew M. Friday 