If you are looking to write your first novel, then the nonprofit NaNoWriMo 2022 is a fun way to get started, even if you don't manage to finish 50,000 words during November, you get a collaborative, worldwide accountability of new and experienced writers, helping along the way. If you can manage the word count of 1667 words every day in November, then you will have the first draft of your novel before you know it! Even if you fall short, and need more time (and most of us will, so no worries!) then you will have a fantastic foundation with which to develop your novel!
We're installing First Draft Pro (and NovelPad!) as we are taking part in NaNoWriMo for the very first time! Are you participating this year?
If you want to join us it's not too late, create your NaNoWriMo account, if you haven't already, and connect with us here! We love writers helping each other to be better, and more successful!
FirstDraftPro is currently offering a free trial here for November instead of their standard 14-day trial, as well as further savings once NaNo is over!
We're running a side-by-side comparison to an alternative writing tool, NovelPad, to see which we prefer for writing a novel on, check out the free trial for November here, and additional discounts afterwards!
A quick note, we're not affiliated with either, we just like sharing great offers!
First Impressions (day before NaNoWriMo):
FirstDraftPro appears to force the use of a Google email/account, not my preferred method but looks to be based on the Google infrastructure, so would make sense. It has a reasonable variety of blog posts on the site to give tips for beginners looking to write their first novel. I haven't found a way to synchronise with NaNoWriMo, but overall I am liking the interface and capabilities so far.
NovelPad has a linked connection for NaNoWriMo, so automatically updates your project progress. It also has the freedom to use your preferred email account. The layout is clean and simple, with a small number of blog posts for new writer tips, don't forget, you can join our Community if you need more!
Watch this space, we shall keep you updated!
Don't forget to check out our Instagram for writing updates and more, as well as our private Writer's Coaching Growth Community group on Facebook.
Well, what did you decide?!
NaNoWriMo is offering discounts for both for 2023 as well, and I’m still unsure. Last year I subscribed to neither (which was honestly a good thing because I didn’t write much beyond last November (2022) and daily journaling). This year, I bought the amazing deal that is the Humble Bundle for NaNoWriMo. It’s $18 (or more, based on what you are able to give), and gives you a year of Novlr Pro and a year of Plottr Pro! So now, I’m trying to decide if that’s enough for me because I know the prices on the two tools you write about here, NovelPad and FirstDraftPro, which are comprehensive and self-contained, each with almost everything necessary, are not going to get any better than they are with these discounts, and I don’t want to feel left out for another year, or worse, have their subscription prices increase and not be able to get in at this rate.
So, PLEASE update this blog post with how your comparison went! I’m desperate to know!