#jacqui jacoby

Every January when I fill out the new day planner, the first thing I do is head on over to November to block out the month for fun. Though I have published several books that started as NaNo Projects, publishing them was never my goal. I use the month to play, to develop ideas I might otherwise ignore if I was working on a set assignment.

I read No Plot, No Problem every year starting on October 1st as a refresher course and to get me in the mood. When I have finished that, I begin to fill out Ready. Set. Novel. I buy myself a new mechanical pencil to use in my notes and workbooks. It’s usually just a step above the pencils I normally buy, in a pretty color to set it apart.

All this is a good start, a place to find direction. However, direction isn’t the only challenge in NaNo. Sometimes, the challenge is showing up on a day you would really rather watch a Friends rerun. I needed to find that edge that would get me through the hard days.

I came up with the ‘NaNo Purse Program,’ or as I call it, the NNPP.

The NNPP is simple. I like purses, but I rarely buy. I have a designer I like that I can find used on eBay and I like to have something that I can look at and say “I earned that because…”  In October, I start looking for the purse that will be my prize. It doesn’t have to be expensive and it doesn’t have to be fancy. In fact, it doesn’t have to be a purse. It could be anything you collect, something that you can look at later and associate with your accomplishment.

My rules are simple:

I have to have my NNPP before November 1st.

The NNPP is unpacked and set in a position where I can see it from my chair when I type.

The NNPP is not touched while I am writing.

The final rule…

I only get the purse if I hit 50,000 words.

If I miss the mark for whatever reason, I have to give the NNPP to someone who I will see use it on a daily basis. I will see it and understand that maybe I should have typed faster.

I have yet to type too slow to get my purse. Motivation screams at me when I picture Jane in Accounting carrying MY purse. This is what I do to propel me forward and it puts a smile on my face.  

What will you use as your personal prize?

Award-winning author, Jacqui Jacoby lives and writes in the beauty of Northern Arizona. Currently adjusting to being an empty nester with her first grandchild to draw her pictures, Jacqui is a self-defense hobbyist. Having studied martial arts for numerous years she retired in 2006 from the sport, yet still brings strength she learned from the discipline to her characters. She is a working writer, whose career includes writing books, novellas & short stories, teaching online & live workshops and penning short nonfiction. Follow her on her website, blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

October 15: Read No Plot No Problem, starting October 15th.

October 16: Consider the prize I will get myself if I “win”. Research it, order it, when it arrives, place it where I can see it as I type.

October 16: Stock up on supplies: Altoids, eye drops, Double Shots.

October 20: Purchase the WIP Notebook by Jeannie Ruesch and Ready. Set. Novel! By Chris Baty.

October 18: Do not plan for “extra” appointments. Cancel every “essential” appointment to gain time. Tell the world I am not available for November and then stand by that decision.

October 20: Buy Supplies: Super Glue Stick and Brand New Special NaNo Only Pencil to be used in filling out books.

October 23: On arrival of background books (WIP/Novel!), use both books to start putting reality to the ideas. Print out faces I think go with the characters. Use both glue stick and pencil to mark up your pages. The more marks, the better.

October 25: Update my NaNo profile on the NaNo site. Upload my novel idea. If you have an idea on the story, upload either a working cover or just a picture you like that looks like your story. It is always fun to have a cover or photo to post.

October 26 through 28: If you bought your No Plot, No Problem Writing Kit, have friends and family over for dinner so they can witness you sign the enclosed contract, binding you to dare to try not to write. Post where you can see it. Use the coupons in the kit to entice people to sign up in support.

I’ve been in sixteen NaNos, and I’ve “won” nine times.

The other times, there have been some very compelling cases of life kicking my butt. One year I got sick, really sick and my imagination was slammed. Another year, we were moving. I tried to keep it going, but boxes and unpacking won out. One year, yeah, okay, I just didn’t feel like it and I gave up quick. While another year, I didn’t feel like it and I gave up late.

But I always come back for the next year.

I started NaNoWriMo as a newbie writer, hoping to get my big break. Being in NaNo propelled me forward as it taught me more about characters and plot. I recommend it to every new writer I am working with.

I gave a speech last year to a small group, encouraging even the non-writers to participate. Then I signed into the site with my new book idea, and started planning. Today, for me, NaNo means freedom from traditional deadlines for a whole month. It means I get to play in a new story with new people – both imaginary and real – and for thirty whole days, my world is nothing but writing.

Jacqui Jacoby is an author of several books and short stories and managers her career and her own firm Body Count Productions, Inc. ​She is a workshop ​presenter who has appeared both live and online to give such classes as “From Austin to Aliens: How to Create Classic Tough Chicks” and “Behind the Scenes: The Research Before the Book.” First Place Winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award in Excellence​, as well as the Suzannah and the Dixie for her books, she is a RWA Golden Heart Finalist and the author of numerous article​s​ which​ have appeared in newsletters and on blogs around the word. Find her on the web here or on Twitter.