NaNoWriMo Tips for Authors Who Have No Idea What They're Doing

        NaNoWriMo starts Wednesday, November 1st, and what I lack in preparation, I make up for in enthusiasm! Isn't that how most of us feel? NaNoWriMo has been going on for two years now, and in those two years many a book has been started on November 1st and abandoned by November 2nd. i decided the best thing I could do was compile a list of tips to help us all be a little more successful in pursuing our goals of producing something worth reading!

       1) What past rough drafts do you have? If you started a book long ago, or have some sort of story idea you've been sitting on for a while, look into those! It's not cheating in my book, and it could spark some inspiration!
       2) Write from the heart. I get so shy about my writing sometimes, because I want to write about a wide variety of things some people would be too sensitive to read (like murder, crime, using realistic language for characters, etc). I decided very early on in that struggle though, there's two different kinds of readers; those who are reading the actual novel (absorbing the craftsmanship, reveling in the structure of the story and the characters, picking up on every detail of symbolism and foreshadowing, and so on) and those who read to be served (they just want to read the same story told fifty different ways, don't really have minds capable of appreciating literature, have sticks up their butts and need everything spoon-fed to them). I hold a lot of aggression for the latter, because they're the reason books get banned. There's a special place in hell for people who are pro-censorship in any form.
       Moving on from that rant, write the story your soul wants to write. It's okay if the old ladies from church couldn't handle the word choice of chapter three, or you think your kindergarten teacher would feel scandalized by reading the summary of your novel. If you have a story to tell, tell it!
       3) It doesn't have to be fiction! There are so many different genres that need served. I was raised by a mother who was a very big fan of high fantasy and sci fi. I couldn't stand many of those novels, because they either felt like the same story retold over and over, or they were too melodramatic for me. Just my opinion! However, I did like realistic fiction. As i explored the concept of real life being put on the page via realistic fiction, biographies, and texts on philosophy, a lot of non-fictional work bubbled up inside me. If you just want to write your life story, that's fine!
       4) Write what you would want to read. It doesn't matter if your book follows a standard format or not. You're allowed to change the world of books as we know it.
        5) Start from the inspiration, not the beginning. So many authors lose momentum, because they feel they have to start from the very beginning, or have the chapter/novel titled before they can move on to writing the scene in their head. Well, here's a secret for you; You don't have to do that! Start from the scene your obsessing over and let the book write itself. If you want to continue from there writing everything that happens after, or if you feel moved to construct the beginning after you write the end, that's fine! No one can dictate how you write, and there are no rules! Even if there were rules, I'd break them.
       6) Consider getting a group chat with friends where you can share your progress. It's always fun to write books where the characters are based off of friends, or to write books where friends are heavily involved. You might find it motivational to keep your writing accessible to them and hear their reactions!
        7) Keep a positive attitude. Worried your writing is complete mierda (don't translate that if you don't know what it means!)? That's fine! Listen, in my time I've read many a novel. A lot of them have had horrendous plotholes, weak characters, inconsistent descriptions of the setting, and repetitive word choice. Still, the authors got their work published and many have become quite successful. I don't think any book is really perfect. No author really ever knows what they're doing. Focus on getting the story out, first. Then worry about editing. You can do that much!
       8) Give your book a fighting chance. You could be writing the book that inspires the next Hemmingway or Rowling or Dumas. You never know! You're your own worst critic, and you will see the best and worst phases of your book. Just stick with it, and let your novel prove itself.
       9) Consume what inspires you! Before I sit down to write, a lot of the time I'll watch the short film Lana Del Rey released back in 2013, called Tropico. The vibes Lana gives off, especially with this work, really resonates with something inside of me. It's not that this film makes me want to copy it or write similar things to it. Most of the things I produce after watching Tropico couldn't be less related to the film's concept. What that film does for me is take me back to my element, where I'm in my most creative and productive state. I love it! I also prepare myself with a few writing playlists, where they carry vibes for adventure, gothic drama, inner city chaotic stills, even some film noir. This helps me stay focused on the scene at hand. Keep yourself in the write headspace, whatever that means for you and your story!
       10) Have as much fun as you can! We all know writing can be a very daunting and turbulent task. It's hard when you get down on yourself or become exhausted. Pace yourself, believe in yourself, and try your best to make the most of it! You can do it!

       Best of luck creating your many worlds! Remember, the whole purpose of NaNoWriMo is to help authors accomplish their goals by giving them a steady pace, and introducing them to a community filled with like-minded artists. You can do this!