Your 12-Day NaNoWriMo Novel Planning Sprint
November is just around the corner, but there’s still time to get start planning for NaNoWriMo!
Our intensive 12-day planning sprint will help you develop your story idea, outline your plot, flesh out your characters and build your world.
Each day includes a key task designed to be completed in 1-2 hours. By November 1st, you’ll have a solid foundation for your novel and be ready to dive into writing. Let’s make the most of these final days of preparation!
The first step in planning for NaNoWriMo is to clarify your story idea. Over the next four days, you’ll refine your premise, create a synopsis and chapter outline and identify your story’s themes and character arcs.
Having a solid story foundation will make the writing process much smoother.
Start by writing a one-paragraph summary of your story idea.
Include your protagonist, the main conflict they face and the stakes – what happens if they succeed or fail?
Having a clear, concise premise will help guide the rest of your planning.
Take your one-paragraph summary and expand it into a one-page synopsis.
Briefly describe your story’s main plot points, from the inciting incident through the climax and resolution.
This synopsis will serve as a roadmap for your more detailed outline.
Now it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty of your plot.
Create a chapter-by-chapter outline of your story, including the key events, conflicts and character moments in each chapter.
Aim for a one to two sentence summary for each chapter. Don’t worry about getting it perfect – you can always adjust as you write.
Look over your synopsis and chapter outline and identify the main character arcs and themes.
How will your protagonist and other key characters change and grow over the course of the story? What central ideas or messages do you want to explore?
Jot down notes to guide you as you develop your characters and world.
With your story idea in place, it’s time to bring your characters to life. Over the next four days, you’ll create detailed profiles for your protagonist and supporting cast, map out their arcs and explore their relationships.
Well-developed characters are the heart of a compelling story.
Write a detailed profile for your main character. Include their backstory, personality traits, goals, flaws, and motivations.
Ask questions, like what drives them? What are their deepest fears? What are their desires?
The more you understand your protagonist, the more authentic and compelling their journey will be.
Choose 3-4 other major characters, like your antagonist, the love interest or mentor figure. Write a detailed profile for each. Include their role in the story, backstory, goals, and relationship to the protagonist.
Having well-developed supporting characters adds depth and conflict to your story.
For each of your main characters, brainstorm how they will change and grow over the course of the story.
Keep asking questions. What lessons will they learn? How will their relationships evolve?
Map out the key moments that will spur their development.
Knowing your characters’ endpoints will help you steer their trajectories as you write.
Create a relationship chart for your main characters. Draw lines to show the connections, conflicts and power dynamics between them.
Use the chart to determine how their goals and personalities clash or align. Strong character relationships are the heart of a compelling story.
Now that you have your story and characters planned, it’s time to dive into worldbuilding.
Over the next three days, you’ll establish your setting, create a comprehensive “world bible,” and brainstorm vivid sensory details.
A richly imagined world immerses readers in your story.
Write a one-page overview of your story’s setting.
Make sure you fully understand the time period, the location and the culture. Jot down ideas related to the overall mood and atmosphere. And be sure to include any key historical, political or social context that shapes your world.
The more vivid your setting, the more immersive your story will be.
Expand your setting overview into a “world bible.”
Include details on your world’s geography, technology, politics, social structures and any magic or supernatural elements. Set the “rules” for how your world works.
Consistency is key to creating a believable story world.
Take a closer look at your story’s main locations.
Sketch a quick map to visualize the geography. Brainstorm sensory details for each setting. Ask yourself: what do characters see, hear, smell, taste and feel?
The small details bring your world to life on the page.
You’ve spent the last 11 days immersed in planning your story. Now, it’s time to prepare for the writing itself.
On this final day before NaNoWriMo begins, you’ll set up your writing space, make a schedule, connect with the writing community and dive into your story.
Choose where you’ll write and gather any supplies you’ll need – notebook, pens, snacks, lucky charm.
If you’re using a new writing software, take some time to learn the features.
A little preparation goes a long way in building a writing routine.
Feel free to check out our blog post on how to Create the Perfect Writing Space. It has some great tips to make your writing space as comfortable as possible – and help you write better.
Look at your November calendar and block out dedicated writing time each day.
Set a daily word count goal that fits your schedule – the official NaNoWriMo target is about 1,667 words per day, but adjust as needed.
Having a plan helps you stay accountable.
Writing a novel is exciting, but it can also be daunting.
Connect with other writers through your local NaNoWriMo chapter or online forums. Share your progress, swap encouragement and celebrate together.
A supportive community is a powerful motivator.
You’ve put in the hard work of planning for NaNoWriMo – now comes the fun part! Look over your outline and pick a scene you’re excited to write. Jot down some quick ideas for dialogue or description. Spend some time imagining your characters and world.
The more enthusiastic you are heading into your story, the easier it will be to face the blank page.
In addition to the official site, there are countless other online resources to support you through your NaNoWriMo journey. Here are a few popular ones:
With your story planned and your writing muscles warmed up, you’re ready to embark on your NaNoWriMo novel-writing adventure. Remember, the goal is to get words on the page. Don’t worry about perfection.
Embrace the excitement of exploring your story and characters. And when the writing gets tough, lean on your fellow writers for support and motivation.
For more inspiration throughout the month, check out our NaNoWriMo Tips series on our blog. We’ll be sharing advice on everything related to planning for NaNoWrimo – from busting through writer’s block to celebrating your wins.
And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for writing tips, prompts and inspiration tailored for the working writer.
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