Chris Baty, motivator extraordinaire and instigator of a wildly successful writing revolution, spells out the secrets of writing—and finishing—a novel. Every fall, thousands of people sign up for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which Baty founded, determined to (a) write that novel or (b) finish that novel in—kid you not—30 days. Now Baty puts pen to paper himself to share the secrets of success. With week-specific overviews, pep "talks," and essential survival tips for today's word warriors, this results-oriented, quick-fix strategy is perfect for people who want to nurture their inner artist and then hit print! Anecdotes and success stories from NaNoWriMo winners will inspire writers from the heralding you-can-do-it trumpet blasts of day one to the champagne toasts of day thirty. Whether it's a resource for those taking part in the official NaNo WriMo event, or a stand-alone handbook for writing to come,
is the ultimate guide for would-be writers (or those with writer's block) to cultivate their creative selves.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
NaNo Necessity, September 1, 2008
By
S. MorangI know it's been said over and over here, but this books is wonderful. Anyone involved in NaNoWriMo should spend the time to read this book. Baty did a wonderful job of helping WriMos through the month of torture and excitement with this book.
My first three NaNos were won without this book, but I have read it every NaNo since I got it as it helps so much. My last copy was borrowed but never returned (such is the life of an ML), so I bought another. Need to make sure I reread it again and keep it out for all others who might want to read it before November starts. I recommend all my locals read it if possible and buy a copy if they can. It's such a huge help (almost as big of a help as the forum)!
silvermander
Pep Talks!, June 30, 2008
By
Laura Lehman (PA, USA)
If you're NaNo-er and you enjoy Baty's pep talks throughout November, then you'll like this book. If you're not a 'pantser' then this could help you break out of your comfort zone and just write off the top of your head. In any case, after reading it, my approach to writing was reinvigorated.
A Handsome Writer, May 1, 2008
By
U. Restauro (Hawthorne, CA USA)
I can honestly say it was worth the read. Chris Batty the author has a way of being funny and stimulating at the same time. His writing style seems pretty down to earth and easy to understand. He has sympathy for writers everywhere.
The Perfect Companion, April 17, 2008
By
innowen (PacNW)
I love NaNoWriMo. It's the best way for any aspiring novelist to get their first draft complete, in their lifetime. I've been participating in this madcap program since 2001. So, when Chris Baty put his own thoughts about his program to the page, I had to have this book. Not only is the book a wonderful companion to this month's NaNoWriMo excursion but it's also a great stand alone writing book.
For those of you who want to try the NaNo experience but have way too much going on in November, I whole heartedly suggest that you get this book. It's jam packed with the same sass, intensity, whimsical prose and gentle prodding that makes participating in this event fun. Baty doesn't really help you write better prose, per se. Instead he focuses on the culture, the things that help you produce writing, give you time and help you turn off your inner editor and write uninhibited prose. Fast and uncensored. His goal, and it works as I can attest to this, is to help you write a full first draft of a novel, in little time. No Plot? No Problem! contains lots of suggestions, pep-talks, exercises and humor to help you get off your butt, silence the inner editor and learn to love counting words.
The first part of the book discusses the history of this writing phenomena, his own personal views on writing and what he thinks it takes to create a work within this framework. He really doesn't believe that it takes an original, perfect and strong plot to write a novel. Sometimes all it takes is an basic idea, maybe a character name, writing buddies and your family to keep you going and maybe a writing totem and the promise of hefty rewards when you reach particular goals. Therefore, this section dispels the myths behind writing alone, secluded without toys or rewords. Baty also sprinkles thoughts and articles written by other NaNoWriMo participants throughout this section that coincide with the topics he selected to write about.
The second half gives you a portable NaNoWriMo. Baty guides you week by week into writing and finishing your 50,000 word novel in 4 weeks. Amazingly, this guide captures the same feeling and style that actually participating in the competition every November has. Baty shares with you tips and tricks that you can use to help get you past the various hurdles associated with marathon writing. He also includes special pep-talks designed to keep you writing. And at the end of your 30 days, you too will have a complete draft of a novel.
I highly recommend this book, if only to compare the size of 50,000 words. The book itself, is about 50,000 words... if not a little bit more. Out of all the books I own on writing, or exercises to help me write, I can say that this is the one book that helps cheerlead me to a writing victory. This book is all about the passion, the culture and the insanity that happens to us writers when we go word crazy and silence the editor who tells us that zombies and romance should not coexist in a work of fiction.
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IT WORKS!, April 13, 2008
By
Sean Hoade (Tuscaloosa, AL United States)
I bought this book, and it definitely got me over the 50,000-word finish line. Highly recommended for NaNoWriMo writers!
