How to Win National Novel Writing Month
Legitimate Cheats for NaNoWriMo's Novel-in-a-Month Challenge Success
Oct 18, 2009
National Novel Writing Month challenges writers to produce at least 50,000 words of novel during November. To do so requires outputting nearly 1,700 words a day: no easy task.
As NaNoWriMo is an exercise in creativity and humor rather than quality, NaNoWriMo "cheating" by padding the word count is strongly encouraged. There are many ways to pad a novel; the editing can wait.
Padding Names of Characters in a NaNoWriMo Novel
Writers can give their characters complex names. Fantasy novels lend themselves particularly well to this technique, since the writer can bestow lengthy, ridiculous titles upon his character (for example, Edmund Fitz Arbor, King of the Western Steppes, Lord of All He Surveys, Beast Master of Aramanskian Demon Buffalo). It simply does not matter if this string of words is repeated every time Edmund makes an appearance; the writer may edit for sanity later, after he submits the 50,000 words and receives his winner's badge.
Even "real-world" novelists can employ this technique by giving all characters double-barreled given and surnames. Mary Anne Fossington Gore is a character who should be invited into the story often during November. In December, she can become just plain Annie.
Activities For Characters to Help Write a Novel in a Month
A character can become a blogger, and write information about novel writing for National Novel Writing Month. He can also participate in NaNoWriMo, referring to it by the full title, updating his word counts daily, with all numbers spelled out individually (see below).
The truly desperate writer can have his character read pieces of the fictional novel out to other characters. This also serves the purpose of allowing writers to explore a different genre when they become bored with their own plot.
Another desperate measure is to make the character a fan of the author's real-life blog, quoting excerpts as she meets her friend for tea. She can also be a singer and sing entire, long songs, with all lyrics reproduced. (Note that this is not fair use, so such techniques should never be used in print.)
Word-Lengthening Techniques for Writing a Novel in a Month
Techniques which under normal circumstances would seem horrendous are perfectly legitimate when padding word counts. Words like "it's" can be replaced by "it is." This can be a real relief towards the end of November when a simple search and replace can add two or three hundred extra words.
The writer can also spell out all numbers in full: 1123 becomes one thousand, one hundred and twenty three (seven words). She should also vow not to go back and read the novel until all apostrophes have been restored.
Instead of using em-dashes with no white space, use en-dashes and ellipses with a space either side. Each instance gives the writer an extra word. Therefore, abused ellipses and dashes should be considered as a vital tool in the novel-writing challenge.
Using Description to Increase NaNoWriMo Word Count
Description is a powerful tool in the quest to increase word count. A writer may describe each character, even minor ones, in ridiculous detail. This actually helps flesh out the story, too, though it will later be toned down. Every last button, every piece of fluff on the dark blue tweed suit, can be mentioned.
The writer can make excessive use of adjectives and adverbs, too. He can lovingly and tenderly and sweetly tell the pretty, blue, spiny seven year old Aramanthian demon child that he should go away and populate the halls of his enemy, Lord Vargal Horse Wrestler...and so on.
Other Ways to Bolster Word Count in National Novel Writing Month
In 19th-century novels and books, chapters often came with a summary of what was ahead, like a miniature table of contents. This is an excellent technique for NaNoWriMo. It also provides a good excuse to use extra ellipses or dashes.
Interesting and relevant (or not) quotes, song or poem lyrics and other snippets that may capture the essence of a chapter have all been used in standard novels; they are fair game for NaNoWriMo but, as noted above, not really fair use. Edit them out before printing.
The writer is also allowed to include his own notes as part of the challenge. Not only can the desperate author write down his word count daily, in words, he can write how many words he has to go, how many words he might need to catch up to a missed daily goal, and can also write character and plot notes, notes to himself, and use the space as a place to let off steam about how truly dreadful the writing is.
Related Articles About National Novel Writing Month
Those interested in NaNoWriMo may also enjoy this introduction to National Novel Writing Month and a review of No Plot? No Problem!, NaNoWriMo's companion volume or manual.
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