NaNo Off Season: What do I do?

The common problem for the majority of NaNoers is what to do in the off season. Now, if you're not doing second and third drafts of your book, this can be a pretty boring time for you. You spent all of last November locked in a room and chained to your computer or notebook, using all of your spare time to pump out that 50k. What now? It's been almost four months and you haven't figured out what to do.

It's April now, so why not give Screnzy a whirl? Ever tried writing a script? Want to learn how? The best way to learn is by doing! During Screnzy (Script Frenzy), participants are challenged to write a 100 page script during the month of April, 30 days.

Don't like writing Scripts? Don't want to write another novel or work on your NaNo Novel? Try writing prompts. It's great practice and fun too. Try RGallagher's Writing Prompts here on Blogger, he has quite a collection available!

If you liked your NaNo Novel, you may want to consider doing a new draft. We all know from experience that first drafts are never ever good material. Read over your book and take notes on the problem areas and then hunker down to rewrite. Don't worry though, at least you don't have a time limit this time.

Wishing that it was already NaNoWriMo 09? Well, the year isn't as long as you think. Have you started preparing your plot for this upcoming year? If you didn't win NaNo 08 and you didn't have a plot outline to work from then, you may want to try a new tactic this year. You will be surprised at how much a good solid outline will help out get that 50,000 before the time is up.

Want to try something a little different? I found this group game called "Society for the Exploration of Mysteries," or something along those lines. It's essentially an adlib storytelling table-top game. One of those things you find when you have friends that are table-top game fanatics. It's a great way to get your creative juices flowing and it really puts your storytelling skills to the test!

Still not enough suggestions? Join a role-playing site or start up a text based RPG with your friends online to help you develop your 'on the fly' writing skills and character development. Instant Message RPs are also great for developing dialogue skills if that is your weak area.

Until next time!
~NyanNyan