The Dangers of NaNoWriMo

The Dangers of NaNoWriMo The Dangers of NaNoWriMo This is the last week of one of the year’s most frenetic months for writers: National Novel Writing Month. Since its foundation in 1999, the now-universally-abbreviated NaNoWriMo has established itself as the best opportunity for aspiring writers to stop being just that.At the last New Generation Self-Publishing Summit (sponsored by Reedsy), Porter Anderson said something that really stuck with me (and apparently others – see tweets below): â€Å"‘E’ will obliterate territorial rights.†Exactly. ‘E’ has this extraordinary capacity to tear down physical or territorial barriers – and that’s true for everything from books to . In the case of NaNoWriMo, ‘e’ gives rise to a universal writers’ group where authors meet annually, exchange tips, support one another and update the community on their progress. The result is a global race where winning is accessible to everyone, because winning means finishing the ma nuscript. These kind of races always end up creating a strong sense of community.To the casual observer, NaNoWriMo might seem like the greatest thing to happen to writers since QWERTY. But the e-phenomenon might not be for everyone. Here’s why.1. The â€Å"New Year’s Resolution† EffectLet’s start with a mild accusation. To me, it sounds like â€Å"NaNoWriMo† is to authors what January is to non-authors: that time of year when you take on game-changing projects that you hold on to†¦ for a month.Writing over 1,000 words a day is something many authors do throughout the year (or at least several months a year), and many successful authors write in excess of 10,000 words per month. While NaNoWriMo creates the perfect incentive to *start* doing that, I think it is as important for authors to stick to the 1,667 words a day during NaNoWriMo as it is for them to keep writing regularly afterwards (at a slower pace, maybe). NaNo can create momentum, but it can also cause burnout for those unaccustomed to such a colossal creative effort.NaNo shouldn’t be the exception in an author’s life; it should be the ramp that launches a writing career.2. â€Å"In the end, it’s all about writing, you know?†There’s a Holy Trinity of generalized advice to authors out there that comes up regularly at conferences or in blog posts, forums and social media: 1. Writing is only half the job; reaching readers is the other half. 2. Writing your next book is your #1 marketing tool. 3. Present your book to readers only when it’s in the best possible shape.NaNoWriMo sets up authors to follow none of this advice.Think about it: You’re writing 1,667 words a day. You have a full-time job on the side. You spend the little spare time you have tweeting updates about your writing and contributing to a #nanowrimo hashtag feed that is already flooded by self-publishing companies trying to get participants’ att ention.In the meantime, not much is done for â€Å"the second half of the job† – marketing. It’s easy when all the focus is around #amwriting to forget about the occasional reader-directed tweet or Facebook post, the monthly newsletter, blogging, reader-mapping, etc. Not all authors forget about marketing during NaNo (the â€Å"big names† keep blogging heavily as a matter of fact), but there’s a certain detriment to everyone in the author community putting sole emphasis on â€Å"just writing† for a month.This brings us to item #3. Speed and precision are rarely bedfellows, and NaNo manuscripts are no exception. I’ll expand on this point below.3. â€Å"There! I’m done! Let’s publish now.†I’ve heard from several Reedsy editors that the months following Nano are usually super busy for them. Authors have their first drafts in hand and are so proud that they want to capitalise on the momentum and accelerate the â€Å"publishing process† so their book gets out there quickly. NaNoWriMo puts so much emphasis on speed that it invites authors to neglect the 3rd rule cited above, and accentuates an author’s biggest vice: impatience.Eagerness is perfectly understandable, especially in light of the massive effort it takes to write 50k words in 30 days. But that pace is challenging even for seasoned authors, and at best would result in a first draft – a starting point for editing and revision. Looking for an editor right after NaNo can be a good option, but only if you’re looking to get a quick manuscript assessment (most Reedsy editors offer that, and some will offer a discount in December/January for NaNo manuscripts). Doing a developmental edit, let alone a copyedit or proofread on your manuscript is a waste of time and money; you’re simply not ready – or at least, your NaNo manuscript isn’t.Even if you ARE the rare specimen ready for the next pha se of manuscript development come December 1, tens of thousands of other NaNoWriMo participants will be looking for a developmental editor during the same period of time. This means that all good, reputable editors are going to be fully booked for a couple of months. Have you ever tried finding a free treadmill at a gym in January? Well, it’s like that, but worse. Patience! Take December, or even January too, to edit your book, develop an early reader base (or look for beta-readers), pair up with other authors to prepare a common launch, or get started on your next book. Releasing several at a time can be an unexpected way to get noticed very quickly by the gremlins that power Amazon’s algorithms (aka, an indie author’s best friends*)†¦Like Christmas does for consumer capitalism, NaNoWriMo generates an incredible amount of enthusiasm and energy for creative writing. But it’s not without risk, and sometimes gives rise to misperceptions about what writ ing seriously involves. Impatience, burnout and neglect of the market are natural pitfalls for NaNo participants. So authors: tread carefully, and learn from your experienced peers. Use NaNoWriMo not as an end in itself, but as another tool in your kit. November comes but once a year, but writing your novel is a 24/7/365 commitment.*Next to self-doubt and caffeine, anyway.By Ricardo FayetEdited by the lovely Reedsy editor Becca Heyman–What do you personally think of NaNoWriMo? I’d love to know your thoughts on this so don’t hesitate to leave a comment!

How to Register for the SSAT 5 Simple Steps

How to Register for the SSAT 5 Simple Steps SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The SSAT can be an important test for students hoping to attend a private school, but how do you register for it?In this guide, we walk you step-by-step through the SSAT registration process and include screenshots from the SSAT website to makes things as simple as possible. At the end of the guide, we also include a chart with upcoming SSAT registration dates so you know exactly when you need to register for each exam date to avoid late fees. What to Know About the SSAT Before Registering If you’re planning on applying to a private school, you’ll likely need to take the SSAT and submit your scores as part of your application. There are three levels of the SSAT depending on the grade you’re in. (Students take the test based on their current grade, not the grade they’ll be entering next year, so make sure you register for the correct test.) Elementary for students in grades 3 and 4 Middle for students in grades 5 through 7 Upper for students in grades 8 through For more information on the SSAT, including an in-depth look at what topics it tests, check out our guide to the SSAT. The SSAT sign up process is pretty simple, but before you start, you should gather all the information and materials you’ll need for registration. This will make the registration process much easier and faster to complete. Here’s what you need for SSAT Registration: Your address and contact info The names of up to three schools where you’d like the results to be sent (you can also add these schools after the exam) A credit card for payment 5 Steps to Register for the SSAT Follow these five steps to register for the SSAT and get your choice of exam date and location. #1: Create an Account Before you can begin the registration process, you’ll need to visit the SSAT website and create an account. You’ll create both an account for the student taking the SSAT and a parent/guardian account so you can manage the student account. To create the accounts, you’ll need to enter some basic information such as your address and contact info and your child’s age and grade. Each student who’ll be taking the SSAT needs their own account, so if you have several children who’ll be taking the test, you’ll need to create separate accounts for each of them. You’ll only need one parent account. #2: Begin the Registration Process After you’ve created your account, click â€Å"Manage My SSAT† then â€Å"Register for SSAT.†You’ll see a page (below) outlining the steps you’ll need to take for SSAT test registration. #3: Choose a Test Location and Date After selecting whether the student needs additional accommodations or a Sunday exam due to religious reasons, you’ll select the grade of the student taking the exam. You’ll then see a page with the location and dates of upcoming SSAT exams, with the closest test center at the top of the list. Select the test that works best for you. #4: Add Score Recipients (Optional) You’ll next have the option of choosing the school(s) you want the SSAT scores to be sent to. You can send SSAT scores to up to three schools for no additional charge. If you’re not sure yet where you’d like the SSAT scores to be sent, you can also complete this step anytime before or after the exam date.SSAT score reports are sent about two weeks after the test date. #5: Select Add-Ons and Complete Payment The next step is choosing if you want to purchase any additional add-ons such as rush reporting or practice materials.The final step of SSAT test registration is payment. You’ll need a credit card to pay for the SSAT test fee (plus fees for any add-ons you chose). Below is a chart showing SSAT fees. Domestic tests refer to those administered in the US, Canada, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Saipan, or the US Virgin Islands. International exams are those administered in any countries other than those just listed. All fees are in USD. SSAT Exam Type Fee Elementary Level (Domestic) $80 Elementary Level (International) $157 Middle or Upper Level (Domestic) $132 Middle or Upper Level (International) $257 After you’ve paid, you’ll receive a confirmation email, and the SSAT registration process is complete! SSAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines Below is a chart of recent and upcoming SSAT registration dates and deadlines.You should register for the SSAT at least three weeks before the exam date to avoid late fees. It’s possible to register for the SSAT up to three days before the exam, but you’ll end up paying $45 to $85 in late fees, depending on how late you register for the test. SSAT Exam Date Regular Registration Deadline Late Registration Begins ($45 fee) Rush Registration Begins ($85 fee) Last Day for Registration Oct. 14, 2017 Sep. 23, 2017 Sep. 24, 2017 Oct. 1, 2017 Oct. , 2017 Nov. , 2017 Oct. 21, 2017 Oct. 22, 2017 Oct. 29, 2017 Nov. 8, 2017 Dec. 9, 2017 Nov. 18, 2017 Nov. 19, 2017 Nov. 26, 2017 Dec. 6, 2017 Jan. 6, 2018 Dec. 16, 2017 Dec. 17, 2017 Dec. 24, 2017 Jan. 3, 2018 Feb. 3, 2018 Jan. 13, 2018 Jan. 14, 2018 Jan. 21, 2018 Jan. 31, 2018 March 3, 2018 Feb. 10, 2018 Feb. , 2018 Feb. 18, 2018 Feb. 28, 2018 April 21, 2018 March 31, 2018 April 1, 2018 April 8, 2018 April 18, 2018 June 9, 2018 May 19, 2018 May 20, 2018 May 27, 2018 June 6, 2018 If your student needs additional testing accommodations or needs to take the SSAT on a Sunday due to religious reasons, you’ll need to apply for testing accommodations.You’ll need to apply for testing accommodations at least four weeks before the desired test date and have any requested materials submitted at least two weeks before the test date. Summary: SSAT Registration The SSAT is an exam many students hoping to attend private schools take. There are versions of the SSAT available for elementary, middle, and high school students.SSAT test registration is a pretty simple process, but knowing what to expect ahead of time will make it easier and faster to complete. There are five main steps to SSAT registration: #1: Create an account #2: Begin the registration process #3: Choose a test location and date #4: Add score recipients #5: Choose add-ons and pay There are several SSAT registration dates throughout the year, and you should aim to register for the SSAT at least three weeks before the test date to avoid late fees. However, if you’re willing to pay late fees, you can register up to three days before the exam. What's Next? Want help with your SSAT prep? Check out our SSAT study tips and complete collection of SSAT practice tests. Vocab is an important part of the SSAT, but it can be hard to find high-quality practice materials. Our guide to SSAT vocabulary has done the hard work for you and compiled every top SSAT vocab resource in one place. Want to learn more about what's covered on the elementary, middle, and upper-level tests? Then be sure to read our complete guide to the SSAT. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: