Everyone has different essentials for the month of NaNo but after my own experience...this is my NaNoWriMo survival kit! 1. Laptop This is definitely number one on my list because...well, you need something to write on. I do, actually use my tablet more often than a laptop just because I don't always have access to a laptop BUT I do recommend a laptop. I DON'T recommend writing by hand. Maybe you write by hand and it works for you but I find writing by hand a very hard thing to do when you have to be able to update your word count everyday. 2. Notebook Although I don't recommend writing everything by hand...I do recommend keeping a notebook so that you can jot down any random ideas, thoughts or scenes that you come up with during the times when you don't have access to a device. 3. Outline/plan I know some people are just naturally pantsers, but I am one of those people who needs some sort of an outline. I like to have some kind of plan so I don't get stuck with not knowing what the heck is happening and what to write next. I need to be able to just plow straight though those 1,667 words every day. 4. Schedule Of course, just because NaNoWriMo is here, that doesn't mean we writers don't have other plans for the month of Novemeber. I mean, there's thanksgiving and it's almost December which means Christmas and those of us who are still in school...well, we have school. So I do recommend having a schedule! Set aside a certain amount of time each day so you know that that is your designated writing time. 5. SNACKS
Writing on an empty stomach is a bad idea. Keep snacks on hand! Preferably something that's easy to just snack on and won't get in the way of your writing. 6. A word sprinting partner This is definitely one of my essentials. Doing word sprints for Camp NaNo this last April was a lifesaver. A word sprint is basically where you and another writer set a certain amount of time (ex: fifteen minutes) and you both write non-stop, as fast as you can, for that amount of time and see how many words you can get written. It's fun and definitely super helpful. So find yourself a partner! 7. Somewhere to write The next thing for my NaNo survival kit is a designated place to write. This will be the place you go everyday to sit down...and write. Pick someplace where you won't be distracted and you can just concentrate on your novel. Of course your writing doesn't have to be constricted to solely that location but it is a good thing to have during NaNo. 8. Caffeine Caffeine is essential for the month of NaNo. It's going to keep you awake and give you enough energy so you have no excuse not to write. It's especially good if you have to stay up late because you didn't get your writing done in the day. 9. MOTIVATION You're definitely going to need motivation to press on and to keep writing. There are so many different forms of motivation. Weather that be writing prompts, the livestreams on the official NaNo Youtube channel, a partner who is also participating in NaNo, or something else. Just get motivated and let's go! What's in YOUR NaNoWriMo survival kit? Let me know in the comments!
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