Tips for plotting a publishable book.
Blogger: Rachel Kent
Are you planning to participate in NaNoWriMo this year? I just checked the website and more than 138,000 people have already signed up. That’s a lot of books!
It’s important to keep in mind that a NaNoWriMo novel is only 50,000 words long. If this is the goal you set for the month your novel will be a shorter length than most publishing houses accept. 55,000 words is usually the shortest accepted length for a novel–and that is for a house like Harlequin where they publish short romances. If you write a 50,000 word novel in November for NaNoWriMo, you can revise and expand it in December, but during your plotting you might want to plan an extra plot thread that can be expanded during revisions.
If you would like to write a novel that is a length that many traditional houses will consider, do a little research about word count for your genre, but you should be working toward approximately 90,000 words. If this is what you are planning, make sure your plot is detailed enough and plan to write half of a novel during NaNoWriMo. 50,000 words in a month is incredible and if you continue at the same pace for another month you can have a full-length novel by the end of two months.
Be sure to plan some time for revisions and to have your critique partners review your novel before submitting it to agents or editors. I’ve seen NaNoWriMo submissions that have interesting plots, but I can tell the authors got swept away in the excitement of finishing a book and sent the projects too soon.
Enjoy the experience! NaNoWriMo is fun because of the sense of community. Join up and keep in touch with other writers for encouragement.
Have you ever participated in NaNoWriMo before?
What advice do you have for others who are trying NaNoWriMo for the first time?
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Planning for NaNoWriMo: Tips for plotting a publishable book. Via lit. agent @rachellkent Click to tweet.
I participated in NaNo for the first time last year. It really helped me write a story fast. I was surprised when I typed “The End” at 55,000 words (never did that before!). I think the racing experience forced me to keep things simple. I really like your advice to plan an extra plot thread.
I won’t be participating this year as I’m deep in edits, but I do think NaNo is a great way to jump start a story–as long as I keep in mind that there’s likely still months of work ahead for it to be called finished. 🙂
I have been tempted to try NaNo for a few years but I always chicken out. It seems so impossible. This is my problem in my writing life…I have never finished a manuscript at all. I just lose hope in my plot and throw in the towel. I have so many ideas but getting one down on paper start to finish seems like an insurmountable hurdle. Maybe the sense of community and encouragement of NaNo is just the ticket.
Oh Kate…I hope you give it a go! I’ve tried three times. And only once have I finished a manuscript. The first time really helped me discipline my writing time…I felt quite energized! Here’s to letting go of that hurdle in your mind and having some fun!!
Rachel, I have never participated in NaNoWriMo for several reasons. I always felt like I would rush to have a lot of something that needed tons of work at the end of the month. I guess my writing/editing process works differently.
Having said that, your post comes the morning after learning that we will have extra Thanksgiving guests this year. I love the anticipation of extra guests, but I am still headed into the next months with a clear, purposeful writing schedule. NaNoWriMo does seems like a fun way to pace writing as we approach the holidays.
As a children’s writer, I am curious about the following. What is the word count range currently being accepted for chapter books, middle grade, and YA?
I don’t represent chapter books and middle grade, but for YA it’s around 60,000-80,000 words. Some are even longer though.
I participated in NaNo a few times now. I’m opting out this year because I’m in the middle of a rewrite, but I’ll still set goals for myself in November. One of my writing groups is doing a non-NaNo challenge for those of us who aren’t able to take time out to start a new project.
My advice to anyone considering NaNo is JUST DO IT! Even if you don’t feel confident that you can finish, you’ll still get farther than if you don’t set the goal and give it a try. Also, don’t let someone elses word count discourage you. The purpose isn’t to compete against others, it’s to reach your own goal. It’s great to cheer eachother on, but don’t let it pull your focus from your own goals.
I’ve never participated, but I have written several works of 70-75k words in a month. The advice I would give is to set a specific time aside for work, and do it about a month in advance to get the habit ingrained.
Work on other things during that prep time, so that you will have a solid time and logistical framework from which to launch your NaNo project.
I usually do a pared down version of NaNo because I get energized by all the participants! It’s a great way to kickstart a project!
Unfortunately, the link to the website (your second sentence) doesn’t work. I’d love to check it out. Thanks.
The link is messed up. It’s supposed to go to nanowrimo.org, but it goes to https://booksandsuch.com/blog/planning-for-nanowrimo/nanowrimo.org instead.
So just go to http://nanowrimo.org/ – that link should work 🙂
I’ll try to fix it.
I love the idea of NaNo,and I’m going to do my best this year. I’m prepared with a solid detailed outline. But like the only other time I tried it, I found that November is not exactly the best month. We have two children’s birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decorating/preparations. It’s good practice for making time for writing amid all the rest of life. 🙂
I agree Meghan…November is a VERY difficult month to have this writing challenge…guess that’s why it is kind of fun…to overcome the obstacles of a busy life! I’m going to give it a go again this year. Enjoy!!
Yes, I wonder why they picked November.
Rachel,
Thanks for the encouragement and the tips. Taking time to revise is the best advice. Just ’cause it’s finished doesn’t mean it’s done! LOL
I’ve connected with a regional group and love interacting with other writers…especially those outside my comfort zone! It’s quite stimulating! Anyway…hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!
I’ve never officially participated, since I’d already started books both times, but I did write 50K in November. So I rebelled a little, but accomplished exactly what I set out to do! 🙂 Not sure yet about this year.
I like your idea Lindsay! I was considering doing it this year for the first time until I read you have to start absolutely fresh–and I already have about 8,000 words in my WIP. But maybe I can do my own unofficial version, like you did! Thanks for the tip. 🙂
We can be rebels together, Kiersti! 😉
I’m thinking of doing the same. If I add 50k to my WIP in November (I’m at somewhere between 20k and 30k– hard to say since I type all sorts of ridiculous notes to myself in the text of the first draft), that would put me at the final stretch to “The End”… two very cherished words. 🙂
I’m doing it this year!! Great advice, too Rachel. If I can just get past my incessant need to edit as I go I might just be able to crank out 50,000 words! The first 10 chapters for me are the hardest.
Go Jaime! I hope you get 50K+ next month!
Great thoughts, Rachel. 🙂 I did NaNo two years ago. I got about 64K written in that thirty day period. I LOVED it! It was so fun to challenge myself.
What made it work for me was having the big pieces of my story planned out before I started. It made it much easier just to sit down and write.
The other thing I did was set a daily word goal and a weekly goal. I wanted to write four to five days a week, and I set out to write about 2500 words a day.
I would do it this year, but I’m revising my current book and I’d like to finish that one up before beginning a new one. 🙂
Happy NaNo’ing everyone who’s participating!
I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo a couple of times, but it’s just not for me. I could share the bazillion and one excuses I have, but ultimately, I don’t like the pressure that comes when I’m in the middle of an annual writers conference and volunteering to get ready for our annual Christmas bazaar at church. If they moved it to March or some other month when I don’t have so much going on, I would be willing to try it again.
I never have. My process doesn’t lend itself to speed writing. I do a lot of mental circling before diving into each scene, sometimes a whole day of it, jotting down notes and thinking it all through. NaNoWriMo doesn’t allow for that. Plus my first drafts are usually 130K.
Yes! I’m SO glad you mentioned word count, Rachel. I did finish NaNo, way back when I wrote my first book. I loved that book but it was too short to submit at 50K (it got submitted anyway…long story). But it is SUCH a great way to realize you CAN write that novel you’ve always dreamed of writing. I highly recommend it, as long as you understand what genre/word count you will have to hit before querying it. For YA, I think 50K is okay, right? I actually prefer writing shorter novels…would a 50K woman’s novel be considered a novella?
50,000 is pretty short for a YA. Maybe for young teen readers or middle grade though.
….ahahahaha…NO.
This month I have to re-finish a mahogany drop desk and make a scrapbook for my ‘travel partner’ (she doesn’t want anyone to know who she is…) of out little trip.
But fr everyone who does decide to attack that feat? Go for it!
And sing. You promised me that when you are ready you would sing for me.
My daughter and I are collaborating on a story this year. The 50,000 finish line is perfect for the first draft of our zany middlegrade adventure.
Sounds like my kind of book. Would love to be a beta for you once it’s done.
I want to do it, but in so many ways I’m afraid. I can’t stick to one project. That’s the problem I’m having.
No whining. So hopefully, I’ll be able to do it.
Go for it, Anna. Even if you don’t finish it, you’ll have words to move forward with. Planning it out ahead of time has helped me to stick with it because I have an idea of where the story’s going. 🙂 I hope you do it!
You should try it! 🙂
I’ve never actually done NaNoWriMo before, but this year I am unofficially participating and teaching a small creative class for homeschool high-schoolers…as a class we are following NaNo’s model.
Sounds neat, Nichole. Did you know they have a junior program, too for 17 and under? http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/
Thank you Cheryl. 🙂 I’ll check it out! 🙂
Thank you, Rachel, for the encouragement and for the words of wisdom about not rushing the novel to an agent.
I have never done NaNoWriMo, but I’ve had a number of friends who did and loved it, so I’d encourage others to do it if this November works for them. It won’t work for me. I am at 70,000 words with my current novel. My goal is 90,000, so I’m on a push to finish this draft, then to work on revision. So that has to be my focus right now. If I can finish this draft and start revising by the end of November, I’ll be delighted.
Blessings!
Great tips, Rachel! I participated in NaNo last year and had a blast. Okay, advice…don’t be afraid to write “bad”, because its a draft. You can be picky with the rewrite. Duct tape the mouth of your internal editor, and when you don’t know what to write next, type “stuff happens” and move on. 🙂
I did the NaNoWriMo a few years ago and I totally recommend it! I was putting together a writing workshop for tweens and teens and didn’t want to encourage 100 kids to do something I hadn’t done myself. After putting my family on notice that we might be eating Rice Krispies with bananas for dinner over the course of 30 days, I plunged in. Tapping away every evening and watching the word count rise. For an article writer is seemed like an impossible task, but when I finished I was so proud to print off my “I did it!” certificate. 30 days…50,000 words..you can do it!
I haven’t participated in Nanowrimo yet but I’d like to in the future. This November, I’m editing a novel so I have to bow out once again. However, once the novel editing is completed, I’ll most likely undertake a personal Nanowrimo during the end of December/Janaury.
I’ve done NaNo for the last three years, and then again this summer with Camp NaNo. Granted, I usually have to do another pseudo-NaNo right after to finish my novel, but it’s easy enough for me to keep up the momentum. This summer I wrote my 100k draft in six weeks thanks to NaNo and time off. I don’t think I’ll quite match that pace next month, but I’m still hoping to finish by the end of 2013. I’m super excited for this story!
Until, then, it’s nice to have a deadline to motivate my on this round of revisions. Eight chapters in seven days? Totally doable.
Yes first time partaking in the madness and love the idea of a shitty first draft that can be expanded on, added to and shaped into something special. My biggest challenge is I am an over editor and never finish any novel I start and usually have a well thought out half a novel. The good thing is this November I will learn to just write madly, not take myself too seriously and have some FUN. After that if I have something I can expand on I will be ecstatic.
I’d heard you can write a memoir for NaNoWriMo. I checked their website and it’s true. It seems like a great way to knock out a new project fast. At this point, I have only a rough outline. Over the next few days, I will decide if I can do this.
No, never. I don’t know if my brain works that way. I do want to finish the novel I’m working on and have a goal to finish it! Now if my remodeling project would hurry up I’d have more time to write!
🙂 But your house is going to be so lovely!
I did Nano last year! I wrote over 50k in November and then added 20k the next couple of months.
That book is coming out in February, so that’s exciting.
I’m doing it again. I have about 25k written, so I’m going to add 50k to it. 🙂 Is that breaking the rules?
Thanks for the encouragement and advice, Rachel! This will be my second year doing NaNo, and I plan to use it to finish a novel that still needs about 50K more words.
This will be my first year taking part in NaNo. I’ve never written a book before never mind trying. I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s will be fun to see if I will succeed.
I’ve participated in NaNoWriMo for at least a decade. I love it.
Things I’ve learned from NaNoWriMo:
1. The biggest obstacle to writing a novel is getting the words down. The most brilliant ideas and plot are useless if nothing is written down.
2. I can write lots. And fast.
3. The more I write, the better my mastery of the craft. I compare it to practicing scales on the piano. Sheer practice will improve me.
4. One does not have to start with perfection. Let go of that idea and the words flow. Words can be tweaked later.
5. The more novels I write, the better I get at writing them.
6. NaNo is good practice for that time when I will be a multi-book contracted author with a deadline.
7. Clean draft can happen, but only after lots and lots of practice and intimate mastery of the craft.
8. Pushing myself will reveal what I am capable of as a writer.
9. For thirty days, I am not alone as a writer.
10. If I can do this, perhaps I can do anything.
Is NaNoWriMo worth it? For me, absolutely, but only because I determined what it would do for me.
Hi, Rachel! I’ve never done NaNoWriMo, but am considering it this year. I did a similar book-in-a-month challenge last March for another ms and would like to try again, but I’m working to nail down the last pieces of this plot in time. Thank you for the post and inviting others to give advice. I’m learning a lot today. 🙂
This is my first year to participate in NaNoWriMo. I’m working on an old project, but starting with a clean slate. It’s an exciting challenge for me, sort of a way to get myself back into the writing process recovering from several tragedies in my life. So onward!