There are about 48 hours left until the NaNoWriMo chaos begins. Channel your nervous energy into some writing warm up exercises. Priming the word count pump is a great way to keep the creative juices flowing into your story line during November. I suggest starting out with some stream-of-consciousness writing. The way it works: Let your inner monologue flow freely onto the page. Don't stop to think about what you're writing. Write each word down as it pops into your head. Because silencing your inner editor is essential to the NaNoWriMo process, stream-of-consciousness writing will help the words flow without sputtering.

Take it one step further and add some purpose to your writing. Keep the same free flowing frame of mind and funnel that into a story line. Pick a writing prompt and run with it. While filtering through prompts (you can find them all over the internet at sites like this one http://www.creativewritingprompts.com/) you might even find some inspiration for your plot.

Check back in on November 1 for my first post during the fray of NaNo!

I’m taking a break from outlining (you could also call it procrastinating) to create the second installation illuminating my quest for NaNoWriMo glory. Hopefully at this point, you’ve decided to become a fellow WriMo too or you’re seriously considering it. To help you on your virgin voyage, you’ll find below a compilation of writing advice I’ve found to be helpful and tools specifically designed for NaNoWriMo I discovered over the last year:

• The NaNoWriMo handbook: (this is the amazon listing) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0811845052/nationalnov09-20/104-6228216-5586334 The Boarders I frequent typically has a copy in stock. Buy it, check it out from the library, borrow it from a friend. It’s infinitely helpful.
• The NaNoWriMo progress tracking spreadsheet: http://nanowrimo.nidonocu.com/ This puppy will help you see how far you’ve come and how far you have to go. Each time you update it with your current word count, it will tell you your projected completion date base on your progress history. As an engineer, I really really really love this tool!
• If you’re writing a story, you’ll need an organized way to build a plot. I’ve found this particular method helpful: http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php
• And finally a few pointers on building multi-dimetional characters: http://www.charlottedillon.com/characters.html

Ok, it’s back to the grind for me. Happy noveling! And be sure to check back in soon!

Just under three weeks to go till NaNoWriMo! Unfortunately, no matter how much coffee I consume, not a single plot bunny is stirring. OK, for those of you who are scratching your head wondering what this strange acronym is and why I'm making odd references to furry rodentia...check out this website:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/

I would highly encourage anyone that's every had a even a glimmer of an idea of a story to take this opportunity and turn that idea into the novel you've always wanted to write (if you're honest with yourself, you know you've always wanted to pour your heart out into that tome). Yes you can do this!!! Last year I had no idea what I was going to write about on Oct 31. But on Nov. 1, I just started pounding away at the keyboard. I ended up with a complete story arc that was 50,035 words and a major sense of accomplishment.

Now that you've heard my NaNoWriMo plug, back to the slumbering plot bunnies...

At times like these when the cute little bunnies are comatose, I just keep writing. I keep writing even if it's not working on the novel. That's why I created this blog. Partly as a way to keep the creative juices flowing during NaNoWriMo, partly to share writing tips and epiphanies I come across in the process, and partly to promote my writing. So check back in with me as I take another ride on the NaNoWriMo roller coaster!