WEEK 1: TOOLS & HACKS - GETTING ORGANIZED

Week 1 Presentation Slides

*The Pantser/Planner Question

Quizzes
- NaNoWriMo Plotting Method Quiz
- Writing Quiz: Are You a Plotter or a Pantser? - TCK Publishing
- Are You a Plotter or a Pantser? - Lara Ferrari
- Writer: Are You A Plotter or Pantser? Take This Quiz Now! - Writer’s Relief
- Are You a Plotter or a Pantser? Take This Quiz to Find out! - Nicole Dieker
Advice
- Why You Should be a Plotter AND a Pantser - NovelSmithy
- Pantser vs. Plotter vs. Something in Between - Jami Gold
- Plotter or Pantser: The Best of Both Worlds - Cindi Myers
- 2 Ways Your ‘Plotter’ or ‘Pantser’ Writing Style Is Keeping You From Finishing That Novel - Merethe Walthers
- Plotters vs. Pantsers: How to Make Sure Writers Block Doesn't Kill Your Dream - Glen C. Strathy
- Common Pantser Writing Challenges (And How to Solve Them) - NowNovel
- Pantser vs. Plotter - Chuck Wendig
- Two Types of Writers: Plotters and Pantsers - Reedsy
- Pantser or Plotter? Deciding Which Can Save Your Writing Life - Jess Lourey
- Pantser or Planner? What Your Writing Style Says About You - Lisa Rowan

1 Idea/Research System

Analog
- Post-It Notes
- Notecards (Anne Lamott is a fan of this method.)
- Notebook (Judy Blume is a fan of this method.) - easier with tabs!
- 3-Ring or Disc Binders - easier with dividers!
Digital
- Voice Recorder Apps: BrainToss
- Digital Post-In Notes: Post-It Plus (App)
- Index Card Apps/Software: Story Skeleton/Google Keep
- Web Highlighters: Diigo (Can also pull from Kindle)
- Note-Taking Apps/Software: Bear/Evernote/
  - The 10 Best Note-Taking Apps in 2019
- Plotting Apps/Software: Story Planner/Campfire/The Novel Factory/Edward/True Novelist
- Or you can always use whatever software you use to write your novel draft. (See "Draft Management System Digital Resources" below.)

2 Draft Management System

Analog
- Longhand (Notebook, Binders)
- Typewriter
- Wordprocessor
- Dictation
Digital
- Thought/Word Hybrid Processor: Speare
- Word Processors: Google Docs/Word One Docs/Pages
  - 32 Best Google Doc Add-Ons in 2017
  - The Ultimate Guide to Google Docs for Writers (+ workflow video & PDF checklist)
  - Writing in Google Docs (vs. Scrivener!) - Heartbreathings video
- Writing Software: Scrivener/Storyist/yWriter/Ulysses/Novlr
- Dictation: Dragon/Google Voice Recognition Diction (Chrome Add-On)

3 Time & Project Management Systems

Time & Space Management
- What’s the best NaNoWriMo schedule for you? - NaNoWriMo Quiz
- Episode 011 | The Perfect Time to WriteHow to Write When You Don't Feel Like It - Heartbreathings Video
- How to Create a Writing Schedule that Helps You Meet Your Deadlines - Heartbreathings video
- NaNoWriMo Bullet Journal Setup
- Workflow, Time Management and Productivity for Creatives - Lisa Congdon ($15 off coupon!)
- Making Space:
  - Designate a space and/or a pre-loaded “Go Bag” so you can leave to write elsewhere if that's what's best for you
  - Designate a place for your files, as well as a backup system
  - Consider using this spreadsheet to keep track of your writing productivity in different locations and using different tools
- Making Time:
  - Time Trackers: Time Log and/or Time Map
    - Analog; Laura Vanderkam's 168 Hour Challenge
    - Digital: Daily Time Tracking (Program) / Toggl
  - Ignore/Delegate/Eliminate/Automate
    - Episode 009 | A Good IDEA for Finding More Time to Write
    - Episode 013 | Zuck Your Life: Decision Fatigue & Self-Care
    - Delegation Tools
      - Chore Board
      - Cleaning Service (Or Go the "Ignore" Route: Do a deep clean at the end of October and then ease up on your usual standards in November.
      - Thumbtack & Fiverr
    - Automation Tools
      - IFTTT & Zapier
      - Grocery Apps (including auto purchases and pickups)
      - Meal Plan
      - Clothing Services like Stitch Fix
- Making the Most of Your Time:
  - Writing Rituals: Candle, coffee, meditate, etc.
  - Distraction Blockers:
    - Analog:
      - “Writer @ Work/Do Not Disturb” Sign
      - Earbuds/Earplugs
    - Digital:
      - Cold Turkey / Freedom / Focus Me /Review
      - The 10 Best Apps to Help You Focus and Block Distractions
      - White Noise: Coffitivity / Brainwave / YouTube / White Noise Blocker Reviews
  - Writing Project Trackers:
    - Analog: Calendar/Planner/Kanban Board
    - Digital: Ink On / Wordly / Wordkeeper / 200WordsADay / 750Words.com / Pacemaker
  - Pomodoros:
    - Write Faster Using the Pomodoro Technique for Writers - Heartbreathings video
    - Analog: Block Timer/Kitchen Timer
    - Digital: FocusList: Pomodoro Timer / Focus To-Do
      - Best Pomodoro Apps to Try in 2019

4 Resiliency System

Mindset
- Episode 003 | What Motivates You?
- Episode 016 | The Value of Fear Lists
  - Facing Your Writing Fears by The Rookie Writer
    Rewrite Fear Worksheet by Sage Cohen
- Episode 017 | The Words You Say to Yourself
- Episode 004 | Self Care: BECAUSE not SO THAT
Writers
- Episode 008 | Who You Need in Your Writing Squad
- Accountability Partner(s)
- Critique Group
- NaNo Site Buddies
- Facebook Groups
Fans, Friends, and Family
- Help/Support
  - Pre-NaNoWriMo Non-Noveling Checklist by NaNoWriMo
- Beta Readers
- Cheerleaders
- Blog your progress
- Set up a parallel goal with a friend or family member with a bet, cost, or reward dependent upon how you do.

EXTRAS

NaNoWriMo's YouTube Channel
NaNo Prep 101 - NaNoWriMo
Episode 007 | The 5 Stages of Writing
Episode 001 | Pro, Amateur, Hobbyist, Dreamer
Episode 015 | 5 Essential Systems for Writers
How to Become a Writer: 12 Baby Steps to Help You Reach Your Goal - Scribendi
30 (Free) Writing Apps To Help You Through Every Stage of NaNoWriMo - The Writing Cooperative
10 Amazing Tools for Indie Authors - Paul Teague
10 Best Free Writing Apps & Tools - ProWriting Aid
Best Writing Apps & Software - Bryan Collins
Creative Writing Tools - Eva Deverell

CLASS PRESENTATION

Hopefully, you have at least some of your systems set up. You don't want to waste any time in November working with an underperforming or unreliable device, learning new software, looking for missing files, or running out to get supplies! If you need some advice, check out NaNo Prep Week One for more info.