NaNoWriMo 2020 Reading List

October is already in motion and that means NaNoWriMo 2020 starts in less than a month! For some writers, preparation for drafting a novel is more about setting the tone for your writing process than drawing an outline. Whatever your process is, now is certainly the time to start setting the tone for the next month’s worth of work.

Here are some books about writing that can help get you in the right mood and set your intentions toward a successful November. 

As you read, always remember, your writing process is your own, and just because someone writes a book about their writing process, that doesn’t make it the law. Writers must always find what works best for them, but sometimes it does help to hear what others have to say, especially if you’re struggling with some aspect of your process.

Recommended reads for NaNoWriMo 2020

The Courage to Write by Ralph Keyes is a fantastic book that explores the personal hang-ups that often stand between writers and their completed works. Fear of what your family or friends will think of your imagination or your truth is one of the biggest deterrents for many creators. Keyes helps writers to explore the areas where fear blocks their progress, giving a number of useable tips for overcoming that roadblock. 

Write Your Novel From the Middle by James Scott Bell suggests a totally unique writing process that sounds exactly like its title. He gives a strong argument for the idea, showing through clear examples of how important it is for writers to have a sense of the high points and low points of the story as they embark upon the writing process, to avoid wandering around in uncharted territories and getting lost. 

Wonderbook by Jeff VanderMeer and illustrated by Jeremy Zerfoss is one of the most engaging books about worldbuilding you’ll find. VanderMeer brings his readers along for some of his own worldbuilding journeys, explaining in engaging language and illustrations how to derive inspiration from your own life and dreams, and reminding writers to trust themselves and their weird, crazy, inspired ideas, no matter where they come from!

Please leave me a comment if you’ve read any of these books. I’d love to hear your thoughts about them. And be sure to let me know if there are any key books you would recommend to others, as well!

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