The #1 Thing to Do Before NaNoWriMo: Find Your Novel’s Point
NaNoWriMo is a wonderful way to make rapid progress on your story, to prove to yourself that you’re a writer, and to finally write that damn book!
But the 50,000 words you write for NaNo can sometimes turn into a tangled heap you get snarled inside.
If you plan to participate in NaNoWriMo, there’s one thing I want you to do first: find your novel’s point.
What Is a Point?
A point is a single sentence that sums up what your story is really about. You can think of it as the story’s worldview, message, or core theme.
This one sentence acts like a map for the marathon of NaNoWriMo.
It will help you know where your story is going, how you want to impact your reader, what’s most important to you, and what doesn’t belong.
While I think it’s best to use NaNoWriMo for drafting a story you’ve already planned, knowing your point can make the difference between a story that’s worth revising and one that was a fun exercise.
Don’t get me wrong, following the Muse can be a lot of fun. But if you follow the Muse for 50,000 words, she’ll likely lead you to the desert where stories go to die.
Your point can keep you from following the Muse to your story’s death.
What Should A Point Look Like?
In the Rooted Writer’s Mentorship, we spend a lot of time finding your point because it acts as the tree trunk from which all your story elements grow.
Here are a few examples of points from Rooted Writers:
You will be okay even if you do the scary, hard thing.
Love is the only thing powerful enough to bring down empires.
There is no creation without chaos.
Healing comes from trusting and reconnecting with yourself. We cannot heal until we reintegrate that which we have cut ourselves off from–body, land, ancestors, history.
We cannot be in harmony with ourselves until we remove our masks and allow all parts of ourselves to be seen and loved.
We can only embrace our power once we have embraced ourselves.
Each of these points:
Is short. By keeping your point to one or two sentences, you’re forced to narrow in on what’s most important to you about the story.
Is clear and powerful. Though it may be short, your point is going to say something important. You can think of it as a slogan or mission statement of your book. That one sentence captures a lot.
Sums up the author’s worldview or message. Don’t be afraid to embrace what you really think; that’s what will speak to your reader. We need you to say something to use about what the world is like and how we should live in it.
Reminds the author of why they’re writing this book. Your point isn’t for anyone else, it’s for you. When you read your point, it should resonate with, ground, and inspire you.
Three Questions to Find Your Point
Finding your point may require some thought and soul-searching, but it isn’t complicated. Here are three simple questions to help you find your novel’s point.
1. Why is this story important to you?
2. Imagine your ideal reader has just finished your book. How do you want them to feel?
3. What message do you want your ideal reader to come away with?
Now, try to sum up your point into one or two sentences.
Remember, your point shouldn’t be a question or musing, it should say something to the reader about what the world is like and how to live in it.
Use Your Point as a Guide for NaNoWriMo
Now that you know your novel’s point, you can use it as a guide for NaNoWriMo.
What kind of ending best supports this point?
How does your main character need to change in order to embody this point?
What conflict best illustrates this point?
I recommend checking in with your point every 10,000 words. This will keep your words heading in the right direction, toward a novel that you’re proud of and that speaks to your reader.
Let me know your point in the comments!