NaNoWriMo Special: Write your manuscript in 30 days (9-step process)

*Disclaimer. I am not an author, neither am I a professional. These are the tips I've found helpful when I first participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) 2020 where I successfully wrote a complete 50 page novella "The Nonae Planeta" All the tips listed out here are proven and followed by many writers and may or may not guarantee success, it all depends on how consistent and passionate you are about your project. The time frame also depends on your consistency. I suggest following these tips during NaNoWriMo (July & November)

Writing a novel is one of the most rewarding and empowering things you could do. But the road from the dreaded blank page to the finished manuscript is long and riddled with doubt. However, it doesn’t have to be.

In this cheat sheet, you will learn a straightforward nine-step rocess that can help you craft a complete manuscript in thirty days.

For the first few days, you will focus extensively on the planning of your novel. That will ensure that you'll be able to dedicate the rest of the 30 days to what matters most: putting words on paper.

By following this proven technique used by hundreds of writers, you will have a manuscript in your hands by the end of the thirty days.

Step 1:

What are you writing? (Day 1)

Because you have to write a lot of words in a short time, establishing some basic attributes of your story ahead of time is critical.

1. Decide what, why, and for who you are writing

Create a basic profile of your ideal reader.

Think about the message you are trying to communicate with your story. What is the theme?

Write down why you want to write this story. What does it mean to you? Go deep.

2. Identify the genre, target market, and word count

Define the genre of your story and identify several books similar to your novel.

Answer the question: why would anybody want to read your story?

Decide on your novel's approximate word count.

3. What is the sub-genre, POV, and narrative type?

Go deeper into the genre and identify any sub-genres that apply. Will this be a first-person, third-person limited, third-person omniscient, or another type of POV?

Will this be a linear narrative story (scenes are in chronological order) or non-linear (there are multiple intermingling timelines)?

Step 2:

What is your story about? (Day 1)

Although you don't need to know the entire story in detail to

write a novel in 30 days, you must have a few basic ideas to start. It will prove very handy along the way.

1. Jot down a few bullet points about the story.

Describe your story in a sentence. If you only had 15 seconds to pitch this story, what would you say?

Expand the sentence into a paragraph. Picture this as the text on the back cover of your book.

Expand the paragraph into a one-page summary with minimal details.

2. Describe the main plot points that drive this story.

Make a list of one to five main plot points in your story. What

happens and why.

Why are these plot points interesting? How will they hook the reader?

Are there any plot twists or unexpected turn of events?

3. Briefly describe your main characters

Create a list of physical, mental, and emotional characteristics of your main character.

If there are antagonists in your story, describe them, and explain their motivation and reason to oppose your protagonist.

Describe any other interesting characters that you have in mind for this story.

Step 3:

Story Setting (Day 1)

Next, you need to establish a general environment in which your novel's action takes place. That means setting the time and space for the events to take place.

1. Where does the action take place?

Describe the high-level universe of your story. Is it Earth, a different planet, a city, a house?

Define a few locations where your characters might be seen. Is there anything unique about the places in your story?

2. What is the period when the action is happening?

Decide on the era in which this story is taking place. Document a few elements of that era that are critical to your novel.

Why are you choosing this particular time for your story? Is it

critical to the plot?

Brainstorm a few ways to make the period less ordinary or more specific to your plot.

3. Are there any unique situations?

Is this a fantasy or science fiction story? If so, describe what makes it unique.

Is your world similar to worlds from other stories? If so, is that

relevant?

If needed, describe any unique languages used in your story,

magic systems (if any), or special races.

Step 4:

Characters and Conflict (Day 1)

Characters give life to your story. Who are they? Enhance their portrait and story and get to know them deeply and intimately.

1. Paint a portrait of your protagonist(s)

How does your main character look like physically? What is his or her name?

What does your character do in life? What is their brief history

and what do they want?

What are some critical physical, emotional, and mental traits of your character? What are their flaws and strengths?

2. What type of conflict exists in your story?

Is this story: man against man, man against nature, man against

self, man against society, or a combination of them?

What is the root of the conflict? Why is the "man" rising against the source of the conflict?

Will there be a resolution to the conflict? Is the protagonist going to win or lose?

3. Define your characters' motivations and arcs

Dig into the motivation behind your characters’ actions. Your villains and heroes must have a reason for their actions.

Will your character have any friends, helpers, and sidekicks along the way?

Is there a character arc for your protagonist or other characters? How do they change throughout the story?

Step 5:

Story Structure (Day 1)

A story must start somewhere and end somewhere else. To create an electrifying journey for the reader, you must know these two "worlds" intimately before you start writing.

1. What is the current world?

Define your story's world at the beginning. What is the status quo?

What is your main character doing? What is their predicament, and how do they feel?

What are the main inciting events that will plunge your character into the story?

2. What is the climax of the story?

How will the story end? How does the new "world" look like, and what has changed?

How do your characters change, if they change at all? What will they learn?

What is the final event that seals the deal and brings the story to its conclusion?

3. How does the story bridge the beginning to the climax?

List some events that take the story from its beginning to the

climax.

What are the peaks and valleys of your story from an intensity

point of view?

What are some of the defining moments that define the direction of the story?

Step 6:

Plot Outline (Day 2)

You have your main plotline and a general idea about where the story starts and where it ends. Now, it's time to expand those ideas and add flavors.

1. Expand the outline one level deep

Expand each of the beginning, middle, and end paragraphs into

three to five sub-ideas.

Do the beginning and ending first, and make sure you have a clear description of the story's central points.

Next, expand the middle and ensure that all sections read well together as a short synopsis.

2. Expand the sub-ideas to several core sections

Expand each of the sub-ideas above into a paragraph with more detailed information.

Add all the critical details to these steps as they will contain the seeds for the scenes that will make up the final manuscript.

Give each of the core steps a concise title. The titles list is the

high-level outline; the paragraphs are the full story synopsis.

3. Create a scene list

Create 3 to 5 scene summaries per core step.

Each scene needs to have a setting, time, and characters. Define each scene's purpose (move plot forward, define characters, set something up). Is it an active scene that

establishes a goal, conflict, or disaster, or is it a reactive scene that describes a reaction, dilemma, decision, or conclusion?

Step 7:

Writing Calendar (Day 3)

Planning your writing time, space, and tools are critical steps before you begin writing. Make sure you are comfortable with the setup, and it’s conducive to writing with discipline.

1. Calculate the number of words per day and week

Divide the total word count by 30 days to get your minimum daily word count.

Multiply that number by 1.2 and round up to the nearest round number.

Divide the result by 40 to get an approximate number of minutes

you need to write each day.

2. Decide where and when will you write

Look at your daily routines and identify when you can fit your writing time. Wake up earlier if needed!

Communicate to the people in your life about your plan and get their confirmation and understanding about your schedule.

Prepare your writing space and distraction-free environment. Strive to keep both consistent.

3. Set up your writing software and backup

If you use Scrivener or Word, set it up by creating placeholders for all the scenes with their titles and description.

If you write in multiple places, set up a cloud sync system, such as Dropbox so your manuscript can be available everywhere.

Set up an automatic backup system that saves your work on different devices and the cloud.

Step 8:

Now Write (Day 4 - Day 30)

This is your starting gun. Start writing. You’ve done a lot of the thinking, and now it’s time to let your fingers fly and put words on paper!

1. Write your daily word count without editing

Pick the next scene and write it without stopping to edit. Write until you complete the word count for that session.

If you get stuck in a scene, mark it and jump to the next scene. Don't allow the flow of words to stop, regardless of quality.

Once you finish, go back to the markers you left behind and add any missing details.

2. Details, details, details

As you write, new ideas may pop into your head, such as events you needed to foreshadow or other details.

Sprinkle those details where they naturally belong. Keep a log of issues you need to review.

Make sure that what you wrote today didn't alter any parts of your outline. If it did, make quick adjustments as needed.

3. Top-off during one or two days

Once or twice per week, use an hour or more to top-off your word count for that week.

If you were behind on your word count, use this time to catch up. You can use another top-off session to glue together the pieces you wrote throughout the week.

Step 9:

Complete Your Novel (Day 30+)

Your first draft is not going to be good. Accept that. All famous writers know this. At this stage, you will begin to polish and improve your manuscript.

1. Edit your work

After you finish the last scene of your novel, set it aside for two weeks. Move to other projects, but leave your book alone.

After two weeks, plug-in all significant holes in your story. Use that log of open issues you kept and focus on structure.

Improve descriptions, strengthen chapter beginnings and endings. Raise the stakes and dial-up conflict and emotion.

2. Polish and complete your novel

Print your novel on paper and go over it, focusing on structure, clarity, and emotion. Be wary of consistency in voice and style. Use editing software such as Grammarly to do a sweep of the entire manuscript for grammar, style, punctuation, cliches.

Leave your novel alone for another 2 weeks. Then, re-read it, and add any final touches. Repeat as needed, but max 3 times.

3. Get feedback

Consider a professional editor to do a final polish of your manuscript. This step is optional, and it won't be free.

Search for beta readers in your writer’s group or among friends; provide them your manuscript and get their feedback.

Integrate the relevant feedback into your manuscript, but ensure that you don't introduce any inconsistencies.

Finally, start thinking about what comes next... maybe a sequel, or a spin off. Most importantly, don't stop writing! This was just the beginning.

Happy Writing <3

P.S. A bit of info on my writing life: I'm starting on a new WIP project and this may just be the perfect distraction from TIB since I completely lost motivation for it for the last two months. The first 19 chapters are up on wattpad to read (@Christie_Writes_) I'll only be posting teasers of my new WIP on my socials. I'll probably do a big reveal of the book later...?

What are your thoughts?