Re-blogged with permission from Cate Russell-Cole, originally posted on her blog, October 7, 2013

If you need a helping hand with getting that novel written, NaNoWriMo is just about to start again with a new look and new energy! From their official web site:“National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing on November 1. The goal is to write a 50,000-word (approximately 175-page) novel by 11:59:59 PM on November 30.

Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It’s all about quantity, not quality. This approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.

Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that’s a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.”

The Writers and Artists blog has published a great article by author Roz Morris , on how to nail NaNoWriMo. It is a must read guideline! https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/2013/09/could-you-draft-a-novel-in-a-month-here-s-how-to-nail-nanowrimo There is another great article on their site from author Jenni Davis on how she fared through NaNo and it’s benefits for her. It’s realistic.

CommuniCATE is also publishing articles to prepare you through October. Check the hashtag #nanoprep on Twitter, Google Plus and Facebook for more resources and support. NaNo also has a better blog than previously seen. Go there for encouragement. Plus if you have funds to give, please donate! NaNo helps many Indie authors. Their books are excellent or you can donate any amount you can afford.

If you are a memoir or non-fiction writer like I am, NaNoWriMo may have you feeling like a fish out of water! Non-fiction writers and people who want to finish works in progress, do have a forum at NaNoWriMo, but you can’t enter the competition. You are called a “Nano Rebel.” I like that term. I also appreciate their all-inclusive policy. You can search for the forum on theNaNoWriMo web site.

Even better than NaNo Rebels, Nina Amir, a teacher and writing coach runs ”Write Nonfiction in November.” It is much simpler, there is a great blog which is informative and has a Facebook page for group support. If November is just not long enough, get involved in Write Nonfiction Nowwhich Nina runs all year. I have gotten to know Nina over the last year and she shares excellent content and is a great lady.