Oh, God, it's nearly November.

...and anyone who is doing NaNoWriMo will know exactly what I mean. I'm co-Municipal Liaison for the area, so I'm even busier than I would be normally -- my housemate (and co-ML) and I are planning a meet-up for this coming weekend, which is proving chaotic at best, but surprisingly good fun. I've even got a plot sorted for my novel, so I'm doing better than last year...

That being said, now is not the time to panic if you don't have a plot in mind. Got a character? Or a setting? Or even the very faintest whisper of an idea? That's enough! NaNo is about locking up your Inner Editor, screwing quality over quantity, and writing until you think you can write some more -- and then keeping right on going. By the end of the month, you should have proved to yourself that yes, you -- even you -- can write a novel. A real one! Even if it needs a hell of a lot of reworking, it's a novel, right? And that's a hell of an achievement.

50,000 words sounds like a hell of a lot, but really, it's only around 1,670 a day -- in my handwriting (which is chickenscratch, believe me), that's four sides of narrow-lined A4 refill paper. Once you're into a writing routine, it's easy. I'm lucky in a sense, as I have the first and last weeks of November off work to get some serious catching-up (or getting ahead) done, but it is do-able, I promise. Check out Chris Baty's book, No Plot? No Problem! for heaps of inspiring stories from Wrimos who've done it through seemingly impossible circumstances, plus loads of other hints and tips.

My own tips? The big one is 'GO TO NANOMEETS'. Not only do you get to talk to fellow crazies, but the inspiration levels are at 300%. Your ML should be organising at least a few, and s/he won't mind in the least if you want to organise meets of your own.

Also, keep a small notebook in your pocket at all times. That way you can jot down ideas on something a bit more "permanent" than the back of a receipt you happen to have in your wallet, and it gives you a record to look back on.

I also recommend checking out ^StJoan, who is doing a grand job on publicising NaNo, and you might also find this news article helpful. Best of luck to all the deviant NaNo writers out there! And anyone in my region, please do give me a buzz!

If you have any questions about NaNo, even if you're not in my area (north-east England), feel free to note me or drop me a comment. I'll help if I can, or else try to point you in the right direction. Once more, good luck, and see you on the other side -- plus, I hope, a time or two in the interim!