No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days

by Chris Baty

[Kait ✨]

Interesting and engaging book packed with writing tips and advice on how to “win” NaNoWriMo. According to their website, NaNoWriMo is “National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing. On November 1, participants begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 PM on November 30.” I would definitely recommend to those trying to write a novel for the first time.

The author mostly talks about “pantsing” and there’s not a lot of tips for outlining. It’s more pep talk / general advice than specifically how to write a novel in thirty days. That being said, it’s a very quick read, especially if you skim, and I think there’s lots of use in here if you’re a new writer (I highlighted lots of bits to refer back to later). Basically, Baty is here to help you get your butt in your chair and pump out some words—and not particularly good ones, either. I happen to subscribe to the idea that first drafts should be really, really shitty, so I’m okay with this. If you don’t, or if you’re looking for more specific or structured writing tips, this is probably not the book for you.