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24 November 2014

How to Best Use the Final Week of NaNoWriMo

You've one final week to complete NaNoWriMo, though of course you can keep writing into December and all the way into 2015. Whatever you've written this month has moved you nearer to your goal of writing a story with a plot from beginning to end. Remember to celebrate all you have accomplished rather than moan over what you haven't. Even if you don't get to the 50,000 words, everyone who takes part is a winner.

For now, forget everything other than the final 1/4 of your story. Imagine where you wish your protagonist to be and be doing at the Climax in the scenes or chapter before the very end. Then write to get her there and do what she needs to do to show change or transformation by preforming and acting in ways she couldn't have anywhere else in the story and using what she learned in the middle from all the obstacles and antagonists. (For plot prompts in the final 1/4 of your story and everywhere else: The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing. As one writer proclaims: The PW Book of Prompts is my lighted path…)

The end defines the beginning. More important now to write the end than to stay stuck were you currently are. Writing the end will make the revision process that much easier.

Who is she at the end? Write that.

Then join us December 1st on the PlotWriMo: Revise Your Novel in a Month blog tour (I'll post the schedule here in the upcoming days), glean revision tips, comment and enter to win an observer spot in an upcoming Office Hours for the opportunity to learn more. We're going on the tour to help spread the word about the benefits of PlotWriMo and how the video series helps you revision what you've written into a pleasing form for your readers.

Good luck and happy plotting… er, writing…

Today I write!
For plot help and resources during NaNoWriMo

1)  The Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories
2)  The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master
3)  The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts: Easy Exercises to Get You Writing.
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To continue writing and revising (and, lots of writers are finding PlotWriMo the exact right resource to help pre-plot for a powerful first draft. Knowing what to look for in a revision helps create a tighter first draft):
 ~~ View your story in an entirely new light. Recharge your energy and enthusiasm for your writing. 8 videos (5.5 hours)+ 30 exercises