Janice

Has anyone used the No Plot? No Problem! book the NaNoWriMo people put out?

-Janice

Jerm

I have. And while I will not stand up and tell you that it is absolutely essential reading or your key to success (even though, I think I did in another post, shame on me), I will and should have said that it's a good bit of help.

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Anyone needs me, I'll be in the club car.

laura

Does it help with the whole planning stage or is it mostly about how to survive the actual writing?

Jerm

It's difficult for me to answer that as I lent my copy out and it has yet to return.
And that was two years ago.

But, going from memory, I believe it covers both. If I had to pick one, it's probably lighter on the planning and heavier on survival.

__________________
Anyone needs me, I'll be in the club car.

Derek

Jerm's recollection is correct. I read the book, long before I ever thought I was going to do NaNoWriMo, just because I thought it would have some useful advice on how to stay motivated throughout a long writing project. And it is definitely very good at that, very practical and down to earth.

Having never done NaNoWriMo I can't really speak with authority, but my assumption is that the book isn't essential, but if you are are concerned about what you're in for and wish you had some strategies for getting through it, picking up the book is probably a good idea.

Jerm

Wouldn't you know it, getting that book actually inspired me to do Nano. As it happens, I started writing something the night before. I found the book on August 2nd, and being between College and Employment at the time, I thought What the hell? Why not? And I spent the rest of August doing a practice run.

But about the book. No, you definitely do not need the book to participate. But in my humble opinion, I think the book is certainly useful.

__________________
Anyone needs me, I'll be in the club car.