Backup that Novel

I hear about it every year during the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo); someone slaves away on their novel for hours a day, days a week, and weeks a month. They are right there near the finish line, the anticipation of crossing over almost too much to bear. Their fingers are a blur, their mind is awhirl, and all they can think about is completing one of the most audacious challenges known to man (who in their right mind would agree to write a novel in a month?).

And then it happens, right there in mid-stroke of the keyboard, the computer decides that for whatever reason, it can’t go on. Maybe it was because the computer couldn’t keep up with the speed at which their fingers flew across the keyboard. Maybe it was because they were always out on NaNoWriMo.org updating their word count. Or maybe they should have updated their computer years ago but didn’t want to give up the last working copy of Windows 95.

Whatever the reason, whatever the excuse, they didn’t back it up their NaNo-novel and now their life is filled with anguish and remorse. But this sad story doesn’t have to happen to you. It’s not too late!

Backup that novel! Do it now. Don’t wait. And do it often, maybe, dare I even say it, daily. Backups are like insurance. You never need it until you need it. But when you need it, you really need it. Don’t be that one NaNo-Novelist who is on the outside looking in on November 30th.

Write a Novel in 30 Days!

No Plot? No Problem! is the companion that every author should have who participates in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), an event that happens each November. If you’re going to try to write a novel in a month, you will need a guide, and this book is that guide.

The subtitle self-describes the book as “A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days,” and it is! The book is broken down into two sections. The first section describes what to expect and I recommend that you read it prior to November 1st. The second section explains what is happening to you and your writing, week-by-week. There is a chapter for each of the four weeks and I recommend you read these as close as you can to the week it’s describing. It gives you some great advice on how to overcome the fear and doubt that are certain to crop up. There’s also a final chapter once you’ve completed the month with suggestions about how to go on with your life.

Make no mistake, writing a novel in a month is a daunting task, but Baty takes you through it step-by-step. It’s an awesome experience and one I plan on repeating this November. And before I do, I’ll be reading No Plot? No Problem! once again. I recommend the experience and I highly recommend the book.