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A review by sarina_langer
No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days by Chris Baty
5.0
With NaNoWriMo 2017 just around the corner, this is THE book to help you prepare! It's short (50,000 words, actually (or so Baty claims, it's not like I counted)), witty, and it gives you permission to write a messy terror of a first draft.
Past a certain point, novel planning just becomes another excuse to put off novel writing. You will never feel sufficiently ready to jump into your novel, and the more time you spend planning and researching, the more likely you'll feel pressure to pull off a masterwork that justifies all your prewriting work. give yourself the gift of a pressure-free novel, and just dive in after one week.
It has advice on how to get rid of your kids, case studies, and ideas for snacks you can munch on throughout November that won't turn your keyboard into a sticky mess. But my favourite part is the weekly breakdown. Baty dissects each week offering advice on how to get through each, what's often easy and difficult about each week, and gives you creative exercises to help you keep writing. It even has advice on how to query an agent from an agent!
Then there's a motivational speech, a high-five should you make it to the end, a proclamation for you to sign before you enter Week 1,.... In short, this book is excellent NaNo prep.
I borrowed this copy from my library but might just buy it so I can revisit it every time I throw myself into a new first draft. It's incredibly motivational and understanding, and will help you reach the end of that mad word count.
When everything has been properly laid out, I take a few steps back from the work, close my eyes, and offer up my thanks to the writing powers for another bountiful harvest. At which point, I get a running start and dive headlong into my wordpile, rolling around and snorting like a pig.
And then I fall asleep for three days.
How you celebrate is up to you. But know you can't possibly overdo the whooping, hollering, and carrying on. No matter what your neighbors might say.
If this is your first year doing NaNo (or even if it isn't) I recommend you read this book. It'll prepare you well, and you'll have a better idea of what to expect.
Past a certain point, novel planning just becomes another excuse to put off novel writing. You will never feel sufficiently ready to jump into your novel, and the more time you spend planning and researching, the more likely you'll feel pressure to pull off a masterwork that justifies all your prewriting work. give yourself the gift of a pressure-free novel, and just dive in after one week.
It has advice on how to get rid of your kids, case studies, and ideas for snacks you can munch on throughout November that won't turn your keyboard into a sticky mess. But my favourite part is the weekly breakdown. Baty dissects each week offering advice on how to get through each, what's often easy and difficult about each week, and gives you creative exercises to help you keep writing. It even has advice on how to query an agent from an agent!
Then there's a motivational speech, a high-five should you make it to the end, a proclamation for you to sign before you enter Week 1,.... In short, this book is excellent NaNo prep.
I borrowed this copy from my library but might just buy it so I can revisit it every time I throw myself into a new first draft. It's incredibly motivational and understanding, and will help you reach the end of that mad word count.
When everything has been properly laid out, I take a few steps back from the work, close my eyes, and offer up my thanks to the writing powers for another bountiful harvest. At which point, I get a running start and dive headlong into my wordpile, rolling around and snorting like a pig.
And then I fall asleep for three days.
How you celebrate is up to you. But know you can't possibly overdo the whooping, hollering, and carrying on. No matter what your neighbors might say.
If this is your first year doing NaNo (or even if it isn't) I recommend you read this book. It'll prepare you well, and you'll have a better idea of what to expect.