November 1 starts National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). But without doing a significant amount of planning beforehand, you’re not going to end the month with an actual novel.
That’s why I’m officially declaring October to be National Novel Planning Month (NaNoPlanMo). So you can do the pre-work necessary to make sure NaNoWriMo isn’t a total waste for you again this year.
Every week day this month I’ll be bringing you live Periscopes and going deep on 4 story planning pieces: Concept and Premise, Characters, Story Structure, and Story Roadmap (scene planning).
The week of October 5-9 is: Concept and Premise
I’m covering:
Monday–What’s A Story?
Tuesday–How To Amp Up Your Story (Concept)
Wednesday–Using Concept to Create A Premise (Premise)
Thursday–Why All Love Stories Need A Concept
Friday–Concept and Premise Examples
The week of October 12-16 is: Character
Monday–The Protagonist
Tuesday–Inner Demons
Wednesday–Character Arc
Thursday–Four Character Contexts
Friday–The Antagonist
The week of October 19-23 is: Story Structure
Monday–Story Structure Overview
Tuesday–First Plot Point
Wednesday–Pinch Points
Thursday–Midpoint
Friday–Second Plot Point
October 25: National Story Planning Day
I’m officially declaring October 25 to be National Story Planning Day. For anyone who wants a quick way to get ready for NaNoWriMo, this is it.
I’ll be announcing a full schedule of events for that day soon, so stay tuned!
The week of October 26-29 is: Scene Planning/Story Roadmap
Monday–Beat Sheet
Tuesday–Story Roadmap
Wednesday–Scene Development
Thursday–NaNoPrep: Survival Kit
Friday–NaNoPrep: Reducing Distractions
I’m not setting a specific time for each Persicope, because my schedule is a bit crazy this month. But I will be posting all of the replays on my blog, so you can watch them here if you miss the live version.
How To Watch Live
If you want to watch the live versions of my Periscopes, you can either:
- Download the Periscope app on your smart phone
- Go to: Periscope.tv/JenniferBlanchard
I hope you can join me live!
Share With Us
How do you get ready for NaNoWriMo?
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Wow, Jennifer — Thank you!
First, I look forward SO MUCH to reading “SoundCheck.” What a gift!
Second, today it dawned on me that I have a screenplay outline for a romantic dramatic comedy that I adore. Starring characters I cry over and with — and who laugh and sing (thankfully THEY can sing). SO I don’t have to work up an entirely new story for NaNoWriMo, as I’d thought. I HAVE A STORY I CAN’T WAIT TO TELL. So, onward with NaNoPlanMo! Thanks again!
@Judy You are so welcome! I hope you enjoy SoundCheck (and if you do, I’d love for you to leave a review on Amazon). I look forward to connecting with you on a Periscope this month.