We’ve several members prepping for NaNoWriMo this year, the annual National Novel Writing Month where writers commit to write 50,000 words in 30 days through the month of November. We’ve put together “It’s NaNoWriMo Time: How To, Tips, Techniques, and Survival Advice” to help you as well.
For those using Scrivener to write and track their daily targets of 1,667 words, Scrivener is not only offered for 20% off during NaNoWriMo, but they also have a NaNoWriMo Novel Template to help you keep track of your progress.
Download and install the free (or paid) version of Scrivener. You will find all the information including tutorials and the template file on their Scrivener NaNoWriMo 2015 Offers web page.
To install the NaNoWriMo Novel Template:
- Scroll to the bottom of the 2015 offers web page and look for the title The NaNoWriMo Novel Template
- Click or right click and save the ZIP file for the version of Scrivener you are using (Mac or Windows)
- Extract the scrivtemplate file to the directory where Scrivener is installed and the subdirectory called ProjectTemplates.
- The location on your computer is typically
C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Scrivener\ProjectTemplates
- Open Scrivener and go to File > New Project
- Switch to the Fiction Templates
- Look for a template titled NaNoWriMo Novel Template and select it
- Type in a file name such as “My November 2015 Novel Draft” and choose the folder in which to store the files within your Documents folder
- Click Create
- The first document you will see contains all the instructions you need to understand how to use the template during NaNoWriMo.

To get started on November 1, go to Project > Project Targets and drag that pop-up window to a location where it doesn’t interfere with your writing. Start writing, and glance over after 45 minutes or so to see how you are doing. (more…)