Here are some tips and ideas to help you write a novel in 4 weeks (this is for NaNoWriMo, but could be used any time of the year). This first post is up a few days before the fun starts if you need help planning. The first week post will go up November 1 and then every Sunday until it’s over. Hope it’s helpful!
Prepping for the 4 week novel can be done in one hour, one day, one month, or while you’re writing your novel – it’s up to you
All you need to do is come up with a plot idea for a novel or an interesting character (preferably both).
Having trouble coming up with a plot? Think about your characters and play “what if:”
*What if this happened? *What happens next? *What would be the best place to start the novel? *What does my character want, need, fear? *What happens if they get what they want? *What happens if they don’t? etc.
Still need help? Here are a few more questions to think about while plotting and planning:
*Who is your main character (MC)?
*What does your MC want, need, desire?
*What do they try to help them achieve that?
*Who or what thwarts their attempt?
*What do they try next?
*What stops them this time?
*Will they get what they want in the end, or will they grow/change to not want it?
*Does your character want more than one thing?
*Do the things that the MC wants conflict with each other?
*Is your MC struggling against another person, nature, or herself?
*What is the MC’s secret? Does it cause inner or outer conflict?
*Is the MC on the journey by themselves, or do they have a friend, boyfriend, group?
*What role (if any) does the MC’s family play in your story?
*Why does the MC need to tell this particular story about their life?
*What is the emotional journey or tone of the story?
Keep asking yourself questions until you know where you need to start your story and have a general idea of where you are going to go. Or just open a blank document on November 1st and wing it! Whatever you do, have fun 
Note: The 4 week novel tips are designed for NaNoWriMo, but could be used any time of the year if you are trying to fast draft a story. This is the second post. The first one was on NaNoWriMo Thoughts and Tips
Tags: fast drafting, NaNoWriMo, novels, planning, process, writing
I’ve done it both ways with NaNo…The first year I had an action plan…a plot, characters and knew where I wanted to go…the second year I got interrupted too many times…and the third year I wanted to do it sooo bad but hadn’t had time to think of an idea or even a character’s name…I just jumped right in and wrote…year 1 I have a better working story, but year 3 I have characters that I enjoyed writing about…I just wish I could find their story…grin…
Good luck to all who are doing NaNo this year! Hugs…
Brenda, I know what you mean! My first nano novel is the one that still needs a story. The other years I didn’t finish. This year I have characters I like, a story idea, and a will to finish!
Are you doing it this year? If so, good luck!!