NaNoWriMo Checklist: What to do after you’ve written your first draft?
In November, authors around the world come together to write as a community. For those of us who have taken part in NaNoWriMo, we know what a great experience it is. This is why it makes me especially glad that the organization is reaching out to young writers to help them reach a goal most adults only wish for.
BRAVE THE PAGE is a perfect how-to guide on where to start. The book addresses all the core items needed to tell a story as well as how to stay motivated and reach goals. NaNoWriMo provides the kick in the pants many of us need stop listening to our characters pulling us in multiple directions and get their story written.
They offer a place where authors can share in the successes as well as the struggles. It was wonderful for me to be able to develop a community, but when it all comes down to it, it is about my drive and the space I carve out to write.
Here is a list of things you’ll need for your NaNoWriMo space.
1. Get Comfy. You will need a place that you can spend hours writing. It could be a bedroom, a kitchen table, a couch in your family room, or a library. Wherever you find peace and can zone out, that will be your writing space. Personally, I float around from my bedroom to my office to a coffee house. Remember this is your place, so make it work for you.
2. Choose how you will write. Are you old-school and want to write it out in a notebook by hand? Do you have a laptop/computer or tablet that you want to use? There is no wrong way to do this. Just follow your muse and write the way which works best for you.
3. Get a Notebook and Pen. Trust me on this one. No matter where you are, always have a notebook and pen to write down character names, plot ideas, or even a funny joke you want to include in your book. You can also put things in your notes on your phone or tablet, but for me, I am never without a notebook to jot down something. I often have the list of my characters sitting next to my computer as I plug away.
3. Music. This is key for me. I create multiple playlists to get me in the mindset I need to be in to write a scene. I love putting on my headphones and diving into my writing. And yes…sometimes I just put on my headphones to block out the noise around me. It may seem weird, but the silence can work for you too.
4. Snacks. We all need our snacks. You can keep it healthy or not. Whatever you choose, try to have something to drink and a little nosh wherever you are writing. Being creative can make you hungry! My go-to is coffee, a bottle of water, and granola/cereal. Sometimes when I really need to be creative, I bring out the big guns—Cheetos.
Now that National Writing Month is coming to a close, you will most likely have your first draft of your novel completed or pretty close to it. So…now what? You have done something a lot of people only dream about, but what comes next could be overwhelming, so I have created a list of next steps you can take to move closer to your book being published.
Step 1. Celebrate and take a moment.
Congratulations! You wrote a book. I mean, think about this. You actually wrote a book. How awesome is that? Take this time to be excited and proud of your accomplishment. Also, use this time to step away from the manuscript. Take a few days, a week, or if you want a little more to breathe. This break will give you fresh eyes when you go back to re-read the book.
Step 2. Re-Read the book.
When you are ready, it is time to open the Word Document, save it as a new version, and dig in. This is the stage when you will want to carefully go through the book to tweak, remove, and/or add parts to your writing. No author has completed a book in one draft, and it is a diamond. They all need polish. Sometimes, this process may look like you are re-writing the book. Don’t freak out. This is normal. I had six drafts of my first novel before it even made it to an editor. Take your time and make sure everything makes sense.
Step 3. Find Beta Readers and an Editor.
For an editor, depending on your budget, there are several ways to do this. You can go to a professional, ask a family member who is willing to read your masterpiece or ask a teacher or a librarian if they could help you. It never hurts to ask the people in your life to help.
For Beta Reader, ask friends, parents, cousins, teachers, and anyone else if they would be willing to read your book and give honest feedback. It is essential to ask for honesty because you want to make your book the best it can be.
Step 4. Design and Layout.
I know it may seem like a crazy thing, but you have to start looking into the design of your book. You will want to get a book cover done as soon as possible and figure out a way to format your interior layout. There are tons of resources out there, and many of them are free. Consider talking this over with a parent and seeing what you want to do. Also, reach out to an art teacher at your school. They may be able to help you or at least allow you to use Adobe Photoshop if they have that available.
You will have to have a cover design and a book layout to get a print version of your book. If you choose to do it yourself, many times, you can use templates provided by the vendors. Amazon has Word Documents you can download. Also, Google it! Trust me on this. There is how to’s on just about everything out there.
Step 5. Edit the book.
When you have your book back from the editor, you are going to need to go through and see what their suggestions are. This is the part of the book all author’s hate, but it will make your writing better. Just remember two things. Firstly, keep the book in your voice. Don’t let the editor try to change your style. Of course, grammar, structure, and plot issues should be paid attention to, but the style of your writing is essential. Secondly, if something doesn’t make sense, ask questions. Don’t just sit there trying to figure out what they mean. If you don’t understand why the editor did or said something, ask.
Step 6. Promotion.
You don’t need tons of money for this. What you need is your time. If you are serious about writing, consider setting up a Facebook page for you as an author, create an Instagram account, join Twitter if you are so inclined, and/or get your book on GoodReads. Get social and share your book with the world.
You can even set up a website and/or create an email newsletter. There are sites where you can go to have a free website, and sometimes, you don’t even have to buy a domain name. Check out WordPress, Weebly, or Wix for free options. Likewise, for people starting, you can set up an email newsletter for free. As you grow your list, there may be expenses, but in the beginning, it is 100% free. Look into MailerLite or MailChimp.
You can always skip this step and come back to it later once your book has been published.
Step 7. Print and Sell Your Book.
As a beginner, I would say you should do a POD (Print on Demand). You can upload your book to Amazon KDP or Lightning Space. This will definitely be something you will want to do with your parent(s) if you are under the age of 18. Talk with them and see all the steps you need to take and follow the instructions that the seller/vendor gives you.
Step 8. Enjoy Being a Published Author.
If you made it to this step, you wrote and published a book. Congratulations! You are a rock star. Take this time to tell everyone what you have done. If you just wrote a book and didn’t want to go any further, then that is okay too. This is your journey. And hey…your wrote a book!
If you missed my first post, “Tips on Creating Your NaNoWriMo Writing Space”, click here.
The official NaNoWriMo handbook that inspires young people to tackle audacious goals and complete their creative projects.
Partly a how-to guide on the nitty-gritty of writing, partly a collection of inspiration to set (and meet) ambitious goals, Brave the Page is the go-to resource for middle-grade writers. Narrated in a fun, refreshingly kid-friendly voice, it champions NaNoWriMo's central mission that everyone's stories deserve to be told. The volume includes chapters on character, plot, setting, and the like; motivating essays from popular authors; advice on how to commit to your goals; a detailed plan for writing a novel or story in a month; and more!
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes in the transformational power of creativity. They provide the structure, community, and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds--on and off the page. With its first event in 1999, the organization's programs now include National Novel Writing Month in November, Camp NaNoWriMo, the Young Writers Program, Come Write In, and the "Now What?" Months.
ADD TO GOODREADS
Find the book on Amazon (Hardcover), Amazon (Kindle) and Penguin Random House.
About the Authors:
Grant Faulkner is the Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month and the co-founder of the online literary journal 100 Word Story and the Flash Fiction Collective. His stories and essays have appeared in dozens of publications, including The New York Times, Writer's Digest, and Poets & Writers. He is the author of Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo.
Rebecca Stern has experienced NaNoWriMo from every angle: she had her fifth- and sixth-grade students participate in the Young Writers Program when she was a teacher, did a victory dance in the 50K winner's circle in 2014, served on the Associate Board, was their Director of Programs, and is now their Young Writers Program and Development Consultant. She lives in San Francisco.
PART TWO: Nanowrimo Posts
Week One
November 25
Lost in Storyland – How to start prepping for next year’s Nanowrimo
Coquette Maman – Tips and Thoughts about the writing process
Thoughts from a Highly Caffeinated Mind – Checklist: What to do after you’ve written your first draft
November 26
Picture Books to YA – Creative Writing Tips
Mindful journaling – Inspired by the Book: Bujo Content
November 27
Alohamora: Open a Book – 5 Steps to get you in the mood to write
wildeyesbujo – Completed Nanowrimo Bujo Tracker
November 28
Some the wiser – Middle Grade Writing Group Reflection
A Peace of Mind – Tips and Inspiration from one kid to others
November 29
Sgraveswrites – Completed Nanowrimo Tracker
In case you missed anything from the first hald of the tour…
PART ONE: BLOG TOUR
Week One
August 12 – Picture Books to YA – Journals for creating and keeping ideas
August 13 – Sgraveswrites – Nanowrimo Tracker
August 14 – Lost in Storyland – The Writing Process in 5 – 10 Songs
August 15 – Coquette Maman – Playlist for inspiring writers
August 16 – wildeyesbujo – Nanowrimo Bujo Tracker
Week Two
August 19 – Thoughts from a Highly Caffeinated Mind – Listicle: What you’ll need for your Nanowrimo Space
August 20 – Some the wiser – A Writing Kit
August 21 – Alohamora: Open a Book – Listicle: Best Books with characters that are writers
August 22 – A Peace of Mind – How to enjoy storytelling for those who don’t like writing
August 23 – Mindful journaling – Inspired by the Book: Bujo Content
