There are so many online resources out there for the writer, but sometimes, a good old-fashioned journal or notebook is the way to go when you’re sitting down to prepare for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
In November, I’ll be sitting down to write every day, aiming to write 50,000 word novel draft. I’ve never participated in NaNoWriMo before, and as the thought of committing to writing every day for a month makes the procrastinator in me a little squeamish, I figure, why not devote the month of October to getting into the habit of writing more frequently, do a little novel planning, and feeling a little more put together when November starts?
The things is, I’ll be traveling throughout Italy for part of October, so how do I prepare for something when I’ll be moving from place to place every few days in a different country?
I find that sometimes, the best way to prepare for something is to keep it simple. Over planning leads to overwhelm, and that’s the last thing I need to worry about on top of exchange rates, communicating in a foreign language, and adapting to Italian traffic.
Instead, I’ll opt to focus on hunting down the most inspiring Tuscan landscapes, new experiences, and cultural customs to inspire the story that’s been swirling around in my head.
To keep me on track, I’ve decided to give myself four rules to follow that I feel will allow creative freedom while helping me actually prepare in the midst of travel chaos:
Bring a Journal or Notebook Everywhere
Every writer has experienced that glorious, groundbreaking moment when an idea strikes and they’re devastated when they realize they have nothing to record the idea. Their phone died, there’s no internet, or they didn’t pack a pen. Most travelers put together a packing list, so I’ll be adding a journal and pen to the list.
Journals are also less likely to get stolen or broken while traveling, so apart from a camera and phone, I’m leaving the excess tech at home.
I don’t want to confine my journal to the hotel room either. I plan to bring it with me on tours, hikes, and markets so I can write what I see and experience. I want to jot down the settings, people, and colors, and let the excitement of a new place lend itself to teaching me the art of observation – a handy skill I believe supports the writing process.
Record Real Time Conversation and Interactions
Whenever I travel, I love meeting new people and making friends. When the opportunity presents itself, I plan to write down things the people I meet say or do. Not only will this be a great journal entry to look back on when I’m reminiscing about my travels, but the material could inspire me when I’m in need of some character qualities or realistic dialogue to add to my story.
Make Use of Transportation Time
When I’m traveling from place to place every few days, I hope to take advantage of the time I’m spending on trains and planes, and play catch up. It’s easy to get caught up in the experience when you actually reach your destination. I plan to write down story details while I’m waiting at my gate or traveling by train.
Don’t Beat Yourself Up
NaNoWriMo happens in November, not October, so I’m not going to force myself to write every day in October. I’ll use the month to get into the habit of writing more than I normally do, outline a plot, describe some characters, and develop a conflict. Most importantly, I won’t forgo experiencing location and culture for the sake of writing. My hope is that my travel journal will be a way to enhance my adventures, not control them.
Ready to shop journals? I’ll be taking the soft leather journal in honey leather with me to Italy. Here’s some other lovely handmade journals that might suit you:
Are you planning to participate in NaNoWriMo this year? If so, do you plan on preparing in advance? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @blueskypapers!
