How to Write a Novel in a Month

On the 17th August I’d written 2500 words of Book 12 (that’s when I started recording my word count). By yesterday, the 16th September, I’d written 80,914 and The End.

This was not planned but the characters overtook me. Their story demanded to be written and I was often writing 5000 words a day.

It didn’t feel as if I was rushing – and I would never advocate that. In my experience the plot and characters of every book dictate how quickly or slowly you write that particular novel.

Having said that, I do believe I can offer some tips if you feel you are struggling – or if you are about to take part in November’s yearly NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).

Although just to note – writing is my full-time job. My children are not small. My husband has been equally busy this last month. To a degree my time has been my own.

Main character – I don’t get hung up on getting to know my main character before I start. I used to go though all those processes recommended in books about writing. Like *sitting down* with my character and asking him/her twenty questions about their favourite hobby, colour, type of clothing, pet etc. And this technique work for many authors, but not me anymore. I just decide on the basics and crack on. This means that as I write each chapter I discover new things about my protagonist and keep go back to tweak what I’ve already written. By around chapter six I usually know him/her pretty well and can just continue forwards with no more back-tracking.

Research – to a degree the same applies here. I do a considerable amount before starting, so that the words can just flow. For this book I’ve had to thoroughly research a particular job, which involved interviewing someone and watching youtube videos – and I also needed to look into various emotional issues and a specific period in history. But once I’ve started I try not to become obsessed with checking every fact and item of data. I try to leave as much of the smaller stuff as I can to the rewrite, so that the flow of prose and dialogue isn’t interrupted during that heartfelt first draft.

I get up early – my alarm goes off at 6.30am and I am on my bicycle by 7. By 7.30am I am back indoors and at my desk. I’ll catch up on social media and that write usually a chapter before a bath and breakfast around 10.30am. That leaves the rest of the day to go over the morning’s work, to write maybe another chapter and then fit in domestic priorities. Talking of which…

A degree of selfishness is necessary to write this many words in a month  – and I don’t feel apologetic about that. This is my career. It pays bills. So I may cook from scratch say three times a week. Other members of the household do their bit and then if we’re all busy it’s a case of getting takeaway or using convenience foods. Housework is pared down to the minimum. I’m not superwoman. I know my limits. If I’m going to dedicate more time than usual to one aspect of my life then something else is going to have to give.

Create a diverse cast of characters  (obviously only if that fits your story). Book 12 stars a wide range of eclectic personalities and in the end  I had to cut some out as they all had so much to say – and because they were so different from each other the writing always felt fresh. This is one of the main reasons I didn’t hit writer’s block or find I had a single day where the writing felt samey and dragged.

A mind free from *stuff* – don’t put yourself under pressure to attempt to up your word count if you are current facing personal challenges. Writing this book made me realise just how much my mental health had improved since finding myself in an addiction clinic in 2016 (I talk about that here and how it inspired my latest novel Forgive Me Not) . With book 12 I’ve been going to sleep each night planning the next chapter. This meant that when I got up the next morning I could crack on without any prior thought.

But I haven’t worked like this for years. When my mental health issues were most challenging the time nodding off would be spent going over and over my problems, negative thoughts whirring. These days I’m so grateful that my mind is free from a lot of that *stuff*. If yours isn’t then be kind to you. Concentrate on getting better. I took a step back from my career for around 18 months to get to the place I am now. Writing a novel in a month is exciting – but intense.

Log your word count each day. I did this in a notebook, however little I’d written, and found it so inspiring because it acted as concrete proof that my book was growing and that every day’s efforts mattered. I also posted my daily word counts on Twitter with a suitable gif, just before I logged off at the end of each afternoon. It felt like a fun reward for all the hard work I’d put in.

Coffee. Lots of coffee. And chocolate helps too. Like anything extreme – and writing in this way is – it’s not the healthiest of options. But everything in moderation. I’m now getting back to my normal routine.

Take breaks  This is very important to maintain your energy and motivation. If you try to work all hours or fit this one month writing challenge around other responsibilities such as a job or small children without taking breaks, you will end up ill or burnt out and suffering from writer’s block. During the day I would make sure I got out once for a walk to the shops or to meet a friend for coffee. I also had a strict cut-off time and finished each day no later than 7pm and then spent the evening relaxing.

And I certainly would never advise working like this month in, month out. Part of the reason I ended up ill in 2016 was due to stretching the days and stretching my working week over the weekends. You can only do so much.

 

I wish you the best of luck! And if you set yourself this challenge, I congratulate you for whatever amount you write. Being an author is a tough business. Inspiration doesn’t arrive on tap. But when it strikes, perhaps grab that moment and look for your takeout leaflets and coffee pot 🙂

 

 

24 comments

  1. Lindsey says:

    I’ve been feeling really inspired lately and been contemplating Nano. Now, having read this, I’m definitely feeling inspired! That’s great that you managed to get it to work for you so well this month!

    • Sam Tonge says:

      Yes, it really takes the pressure off, thanks Lindsey.
      Best of luck if you go ahead with Nano! You can do it – just leave the dusting 🙂

  2. Viola Bleu says:

    What.a wonderful post .. inspiring and heartfelt yet honest. Thank you for the tips. I do indeed plan to use NaNo but not in the usual way. I’ve planned all year to create the bare bones of book 2 during November and the family are primed (they merely raised their eyebrows but accepted I was determined!) but now I’ve had recent profressional critique for Book 1, I know I want to crack on with rebuilding that. So although I won’t be able to officially snter NaNo online, I plan to give myself the time each day to Book 1’s wordcount progression and shall use many of your tips. (Now I’m going off to locate that book you say you wrote during your low time ) xx

    • Sam Tonge says:

      Thanks very much, Viola (lovely name) – and I hope you enjoy Forgive Me Not!
      It sounds like you have a great approach about things – getting organised and warning close ones you might be off the radar for a while! Best of luck with rebuilding Book 1 – and it’s nice for you to know you have the bones of Book 2 lined up for when you are ready 🙂 xx

  3. Lee says:

    I am relieved you don’t know everything about your protagonist. Yet to be published so still pulling things together, I’ve realised my main character evolved during the writing.
    Thank you for your tips.
    Really helpful
    Lee

    • Sam Tonge says:

      Thanks for reading, Lee.
      Yes, I find everything evolves during the first draft, especially during the first 7 or so chapters, and by then I usually find I *know* my characters and where I am going. We all work very differently, but my heart just isn’t in planning everything down to the finest detail before I start!
      Good luck!
      Sam

  4. Sarah says:

    This year is my first nanowrimo so I’m excited and nervous about not hitting the mark but loved this article. Very encouraging and yes, I agree. Coffee and chocolate a must!

    • Sam Tonge says:

      Ooh, good luck, Sarah! Even if you don’t hit your original goal, I’m sure you’ll ending up getting a good amount down on the page – and at this challenging time, I see anything as an achievement. I hope you enjoy the process! 🙂

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