NaNo Resources

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I'm no good at preparing ahead of time, but I feel like I need to. So, I've started collecting resources to help me do just that. And it seemed like something that might help more people than just me, so here's what I've got so far! Please let me know if there are other resources you swear by, I'll happily add them to my list.

Don't forget that if you're having trouble finding any particular resource, there's also a Helpful Resources & Sites forum on the NaNoWriMo site where you can post a thread and hope someone else has good ideas. (No, Camp doesn't have its own forum, all links to forums from the Camp NaNoWriMo site all go to the larger site. There is an area of the NaNo forums devoted to Camp, however.)

New Update: I'm just going to throw this out there... a friend linked me to Jim Butcher's blog about how he outlines his stories, and after reading that (linked below under Outlining) I began reading from the very beginning. He's got a lot of good advice, and I really recommend skimming entry titles at least. Very good stuff.

Where to Write

These items are either places to write for a while that will keep track of your current wordcount for just this session or programs that will save your whole project. If anyone is willing to vouch for other software or has suggestions for good editors to work in, please let me know and I'll link to your comment so people can ask you questions if they have them. (I'm not going to list anything I haven't used myself without someone to direct questions to.)

  • Write or Die is exactly what it sounds like. For those of you who've never used Write or Die, this will time you and keep track of your progress. There are options for rewards, consequences, or stimuli if those help. (Beware kamikaze mode, it will start unwriting your project if you take too long to continue on. Amusing at times, but crazy-making at others. Use at your own risk.) Not a great way to save an entire project, in my view, but you can copy everything out of the editor once you've completed your word count or timer for the day/session.
  • For the whole project, I'd like to try browser-based Scriptito this time around, since I prefer the speed of my Chromebook to the ancient processor of my MacBook. But it's clunkier and will take getting used to. We'll find out how well it works, and I do have my MacBook to fall back to. Unfortunately I've found a bug in the software (or repeated user error) and so I've decided not to use this. Maybe I'll try again some other time, it would be really nice to write from anywhere, on any computer, rather than just the computer I've got software installed on.
  • I can vouch for Storyist, which is what I have on my old MacBook as well as on my iPad (tied together so I can work from either platform). There's an iPhone version as well, but I don't see a lot of point in working on a tiny screen. Maybe that's just me. This software creates a single project file which glumps your manuscript, section/scene sheets, plot sheets, character sheets, setting sheets, and additional notes and images all together in one file. Syncs with Dropbox. Discounted for NaNo participants.
  • I have also tried Scrivener, which has support for more platforms (Windows, Mac, beta Linux?) and more types of writing (fiction, nonfiction, screenplays, etc). I actually found it had almost too much for my humble pantsing methods when I tried it last (hence Storyist), but it certainly covers everything you need to build your world, characters, and story. Free trial, and also has a discount for NaNo writers. (Download the free trial first, because if you win there's a larger discount.) I'm playing with this right now, and there's potential here, too.


NaNoWriMo error message by voldemortsangel

How to Track Your Progress

Anyone can cross off dates on a calendar, but there are specially designed trackers and calendars for NaNo participants that you can find by searching dA or Google. A couple I've bookmarked include:

  • NaNoWriMo 2014 Word Tracker Spreadsheets are the most recent multi-page month-long-project tracker spreadsheets posted by SvenjaLiv. The last ones in her dA gallery are outdated, but just as useful. Downloads are in .xls format from her website, in a variety of designs. (I am having a bit of trouble getting all the graphics to display properly in my Google Spreadsheet, but the functionality is 100%.)
  • There don't appear to be any Camp 2015 calendars posted on dA just yet, but I did find a generic Camp Nanowrimo Progress Log that lets you fill in the calendar as you go.



Prep Resources: Characters and World

Different people have different methods of outlining their characters, from the ridiculously long and excessive (see Big-Ass Character Sheet and Blank Character Sheet) to the minimal. It's hard to search all of dA for these, because you get everything from anime reference sheets to actual literary-oriented reference sheets. I've tried to provide links to a few that are in my favorites, but if you have more please let me know! I'd recommend finding one that suits you and sticking to it, but if you need to create your own, go for it.



Plot bunny error by storytellerX

Prep Resources: Plotting/Outlining

I have never been good at outlining things ahead of time, by-the-seat-of-the-pantser FTW! :dummy: Except, it doesn't win, because I start to fumble when I'm trying to keep up with the NaNoWriMo-paced writing. So, this year I'm trying to forcibly teach myself how to outline a story before writing a single word... I'll let you know whether it works or not. :B



Writer Support


  • There are groups for people writing, both in general and specifically for NaNoWriMo, and of course CRLiterature is always your friend. The only active group I've found so far is NaPoWriMo, which Medoriko is kickstarting again just in time for April. theWrittenRevolution and CRLiterature are planning to post some weekly prompts to keep the poets going, and who knows, they might be useful for novelists with blank scenes, too!

  • I should also mention the Scribophile site, which is just amazing. (I fervently hope someday dA can implement some of Scrib's critiquing tools!) I have found their groups/forums somewhat useful, depending on what I'm looking for, so it's worth mentioning. I don't have a subscription there [yet], so the usefulness does have its limits, but at least one friend has encouraged me to get one, so there's at least one dA voice boosting this!


There are also chatrooms that you can hang out in if you're looking for distractions or interested in taking a break from writing to talk about your project, someone else's pothole, or what have you.

  • CRLiterature is home to the literature community of dA, so this is always a valid hangout. I expect I'll be spending time in here as long as the discussions aren't too distracting. Not specifically a NaNo chat, but there are likely to be people here with appropriate answers to your questions, whether they're taking part in craziness this month or not.
  • :#nanowrimo: is the primary NaNo-themed chatroom I've found, though LionesseRampant also created :#cananowrimo: (and since we're in a cabin together, I expect we'll hang out there a good deal). I'll try to be in these when I'm not busy writing!
  • :#writeroom: has been suggested to me as an active place, but I don't chat enough to really have spent any time getting to know it. Let me know if you have feedback on it!


Other Resources


  • Check out the Sponsor Offers for software, classes, and tips. Some sponsors offer free trials of these software products and a discount for winners, or just a discount for participants. Not everything works on all computers, so don't forget to check compatibility before you buy! Me, I've got a Chromebook so anything that isn't browser-based is out.
  • kirylin also directed me at Derek Murphy, who has a cover design business but has made a really useful DIY Book Covers site with freebies as well as extended member (purchased) content. He's trying to teach the less artistic of us how to use Microsoft Word or even his free online tool and some templates to create book covers that will sell. I'm totally going to waste time this week playing with it. I am a dummy! From the looks of it, you still need to have decent art, and that's the part I fall short with. Photomanipulation is not my strong suit, but heck, I'll try it anyway. I can always bug someone else and whine until they consent to fix it just to shut me up. :D


Still Looking for Something?

If you're still looking for something, try the Writing folder over at Divine-Tutorials. It's a collection of all sorts of advice on writing. I can also recommend both OokamiKasumi's Tips and Tricks gallery and DesdemonaDeBlake's Advice gallery.


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KCKinny's avatar
Nice article!  Thanks for posting.