Author Resource: No Plot? No Problem! A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days by Chris Baty

Checked out of Barr Memorial Library, Fort Knox, KY

This is a great book and outstanding resource. It has really inspired me in the plans I have for my current work Abduction at Home. I also plan to enter the writing contest that’s held every Novemnber by National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo (www.nanowrimo.org). During this time, I will be completing my third manuscript Edgewood Drive.

The author of this book was one of 21 original creators of this writing challenge in 1999 and has been a director and participant of the event ever since.

Section 1: A Round-Trip Ticket to Novel-land: Gearing Up for Your Writing Aventure

Here, you are introduced to the introduction and it’s a well written one. It drew me in and immediately started the idea sparks flying for my next two books. He lets you know how the idea of writing a novel in a month came to be. He draws you in with his first experience. Inspiring suggestions peak through the writing.

In 1999, NaNoWriMo started with 21 writers with only 6 finishing. The second year, 140 people took the challenge and 29 people won. In 2003, 25,000 people competed from over 30 countries.

Some of these winners have gone on to editing the rough draft and later selling them to Pinnacle and Warner Books.

Section one goes on to what is important for an author to have in order to complete a 30 day novel with 50,000 words. There are lots of advice from previous winners and working with deadlines. You will discover why 50,000 words is a great starting point for a first rough draft. You will have more material to work with during the revision stage.

This book suggests writing in groups. The motivation and encouragement other writers can give each other is very beneficial. This will also keep you competitive and keep you typing.

You will see the Novel Agreement you enter into when you take the 30 day novel challenge.

You are also provided with great suggestions on managing your time. It’s important to create a support system for you novel time. Get friends and family to cheer you on.

The book makes some great suggestions for motivating yourself to get through your 30 days. Make a bet with friends you would never want to do. This will motivate you as well as your friends.

Suggestions are made for the prime kind of writing environment you set yourself up with. Is it better to write from home, in a coffee shop, at a library, during a vacation, or at work?

For me, I wrote Adoptive Personality in about three weeks. I wasn’t competing in a contest. The book’s story board had been in my head for so long that it was just time to get out.

Every writer has tools of their trade, whether it’s a computer, pen, paper, voice recorder, app program, reference book, music, or objects and pictures. A writer also needs quick snacks and caffeine.

A lot of authors plan out a story board for their idea. They will plan characters, scenes, and plots before sitting down to write the first sentence. Others take on this challenge with no preparation.

When fast drafting Adoptive Personality, I had previously worked on about 150 pages. But that material was lost and 3 years later I started over with the same story board in my mind. What sent my mind racing were the entire group of great books I had read from the conception of my idea in 1998 to sitting down to pen it to paper in June 2012? All of those different stories inspired the turn in my characters life that weren’t present when I started that orginal lost 150 pages.

Section 2: Write Here! Write Now! A Frantic, Fantastic Week-by-Week Overview to Bashing Out Your Book

This section of the book takes you through what to expect for the next four weeks of writing. Knowing what to expect will help you plan for the days when your momentum is waning. It will help keep you on track.

This book has helped me a great deal in the plans I have for completing Abduction at Home. It will be an accomplishment to finish my second book when so many people are becoming excited at the prospect of my coming out with another book.

I will be checking this book out of the library again. I must finish Abduction at Home so that I can clear the calendar to take up the 30 day writing challenge with my third novel Edgewood Drive. Keep a check on this newsletter to find out how those plans are coming.