10 Day Preparation Help

With another big challenge just around the corner having a guideline to follow can make or break a writer. 
So I will impart my knowledge to you on how I prep for a challenge like NaNOWriMo with a 10 day heads up.
Each point can be done per day to give time for your to think and plan.

1) Know your writing style- by this I mean. Do you thrive underpressure? Or do you wilt under the heat? Some of us can write by the seat of our pants, enjoy the
stress. But those that do well under that pressure are very few so following the guideline will help you.

1A) Work out how you are going to store your novel- emailing yourself, a USB drive, online storage, paper copies, Disc, portable hard drive. choose TWO methods
                                                                           to save your novel. Backup after each session minimum.

2) Genre- decide on what you are going to write, fantasy (easy to write for first time challengers), horror, thriller, romance (swoon), chit lit, mystery or adventure.
3) Target Audience- adult, child or young adult. This will decide how complex your plot line needs to be.

3A) Writing software- I recommend ywriter4, free, easy to use and very little learning curve the below exercises can be done in the program. The program also fits
                               on most USB drives for portability. Other Programs are around but use what you find easiest and less distracting.
4) Plot Or Character- What jumps into your head first, a character dying to be written about or a plot begging to be unraveled. Write down what is swirling around
                              in your brain. Sleep on it. Literally if you really must but make sure you write on paper as you'll need that laptop in 10 days UNbroken :)

5) Basic Plot- Write the plots begining, middle and end points. This would be the main story arc that carries throughout the whole novel.

6) Main characters- Write 200 words on your 2 main characters, what they look like, favorites things, history and personality traits.

7) Time line - Plot the main plot points on a time line. This helps you work out the stories pacing and how much time will pass for the characters.

8)Sub characters- the supporting cast.- Write up descriptions, basic history and basic reason why this character influences the MC in some way. Add when they will appear
                                                          in the story on the timeline you prepared the day before.

9)Sub plots- Write up 3 outlines for sub plots, List which characters will appear in those plots and what motivation these plots will give your MCs. Add these to our timeline

10) BREATHE! Set up your writing area, have pens, paper, USB drive etc laid out and ready to go. Printed copies of your novel preparation in a binder or stapled book
                      form are useful too.

Good Luck, I hope your writing experience is full of fun, friends and learning. Remember you only fail if you never write a word :).