No Plot? No Problem! — The Joys of Writing Companions

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NaNoWriMo season is officially here! How can you prepare for a successful November? By planning your novel, storing up inspiration, or finding a writing partner-in-crime. Every week, we’ll have some tips from Chris Baty, and the brand-new, updated 2014 edition of his book No Plot? No Problem! Today, he profiles potential writing buddies:

Novel writing is the perfect social activity. Granted it is a social activity where no one is allowed to talk. And one where much of the pre- and post-event socializing consists of tearful laments about the deplorable state of one’s writing and the meagerness of one’s talents.

Maybe I have a strange idea of social activities, but this to me is heaven.

And a productive heaven at that. Writing with a partner (or three or four) helps all parties tap into the pool of competitive energy that forms when several people are working toward the same goal. When novelizing with someone else, you have a pacer, a motivator, and a sympathetic ear for sharing the triumphs and tragedies of your novel. It’s more productive and a lot more fun.

As you mull potential writing buddies, consider recruiting someone from the following groups:

Family Members. There’s no surer way to guarantee a productive month than challenging a family member to a 50,000-word write-off. Siblings, especially, would rather die than let a brother or sister show them up, making novel completion a fait accompli for both parties. Kids and teens can also make excellent writing companions—see the Raising Your Own Noveling Army box for tips on bringing younger family members into the novelizing fold.

The Creative Yearner. The CY grew up drawing, painting, writing, and playing music. In the past few years, though, the demands of daily life have forced these dreamers to put away their art supplies. The month of ferocious novelizing will be a structured opportunity for them to get their creative juices flowing again.

The Corked Writer. A close cousin to the CY, the CW used to write a ton but stopped when something blocked the word well. Thirty-day novels have a way of blasting right through obstructions, and the contact high from being nearby when that happens is unforgettable.

And remember: If no one in your immediate area is up for the challenge, pitch the ideas to friends and relatives in faraway towns. Or look for writing buddies in the NaNoWriMo message boards. You may not be able to novel in the same space, but you can work together on video chat or have nightly word-count check-ins via text or email.

What kind of writing partner do you prefer?

imageChris Baty accidentally founded National Novel Writing Month in 1999, and now serves as a Board Member Emeritus for NaNoWriMo. He spends his days teaching classes at Stanford University’s Writer’s Studio, giving talks, helping companies with content strategy, and endlessly revising his own novels. His quest for the perfect cup of coffee is ongoing, and will likely kill him someday.

Top photos by Flickr user hans_s, and Chronicle Books.

Sep. 15 2014
#nanowrimo #writing #amwriting #nano prep #no plot no problem #chris baty
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