The next series of posts will be about how I applied project management to writing a novel in 30 days. Think it’s crazy, project management and creativity don’t mix? Well here’s how it starts.
Initiation. In November of every year novelists around the world participate in 30 days of writing madness. The goal 50,000 words – totally self imposed, no prize but a button on your site and the feeling of accomplishment you get as you type the last few words. This year, more than 150,000 people are attempting the challenge.
From a project management approach, here is how I initiated.
The time line is set. November 1 local time, to November 30 midnight local time.
My personal goal = 80,000 words written in that time period
success measurement – the first draft of the book is complete.
Approach:
Create fully fleshed out characters and a minimum of 60 scene outlines before November 1.
November 1 – 30
Write daily until complete.
Motivation and team building:
- Participate in challenges.
- Participate in regional word war with New Zealand – and kick their kiwi butts.
- Participate in word wars in the IRC
Status reporting:
- Daily word count posting to NaNoWriMo
- Maintain spreadsheet with minimum and expected word counts and progress charts
Risks:
1 – will run out of ideas – mitigate with a fully fleshed out outline
2 – characters will take over (did happen in 2008 is happening now) – mitigate with periodic reoutlining of plot.
3 – priorities will change throughout month – mitigate by exceeding word count in early days.
Communications plan:
Tell everyone so I will be too chicken to admit I failed.
Next post will talk about issue management.
