Alright, so after some research and internal debate, I set up a Discord server for Tapas' 2017 NaNoWriMo dicussions! The invite link is here. I'm still trying to get a feel for how Discord works, but for now, the server exists!
I am still going to be posting here on the forums throughout October and November, and hopefully you will, too. The Discord is going to mostly be for the writing events throughout the month.
I also just realized that there's only 12 more days of NaNo prep time left. Am I panicking? Nope. (Just kidding. Yes, I am.) I'm still trying to figure out the best way for me to prepare. The last time I finished NaNo, I did it as a Pantser, so planning and Preptober are new to me. I'm still gathering resources for everyone this month, trying to make sure all of us are as prepared as we can possibly be for November. I'm still trying to get my act together and actually get my 1-page outline done before November 1st.
I really enjoyed this video by Kristen Martin. Her tips on preparing for NaNo are great. Her suggestion of getting a dedicated notebook is one I'm definitely going to be using this month and next month.
For those of you freaking out even more than I am and wondering how your novel could ever possibly be good, this piece by Beth Skwarecki will help assuage some of your fears. If you don't have time to read the whole piece, here's the best part of it:
The truth is, you donât even know what your novel is about until you write it. You might think itâs a courtroom drama, but then you decide to liven up a boring scene by having your lawyer kidnapped, and now sheâs on a spaceship and the space story is so much more interesting. Even if you keep to your original plan, youâll know your characters and your world well enough by the end that you can tell the beginning wasnât quite right.
And thatâs why you write another draft. But donât worry about that now. Edits are for December.
If anyone else has other motivational videos or articles to share re: NaNo or writing in general, please feel free to share!