Some people say that writing an entire novel in a month is crazy. That may be true, but it doesn’t stop droves of writers from trying. November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), and every year authors step up to the challenge of producing a manuscript in only thirty days. But how do you keep your cool with a 50K-word goal hanging over your head? Keep reading for our tips to thrive during NaNoWriMo.
Gather Your Resources
Are you one of those people who needs ten notepads, forty-six reference books, two world maps, and a thesaurus to write? Get all your supporting tools in one place to avoid unnecessary interruptions. The more often you have to stop to search for information, the more opportunities you have to become distracted. Just don’t stack your workstation so high you can’t reach your keyboard.
Which reminds me…
Prep Your Workstation
Getting in the zone is about more than making sure you have all the right Post-It colors for your plotline. Keeping comfortable is key to success in any kind of work, so make sure you’re considering your comfort this NaNoWriMo. Whether that means covering your desk with scented candles and mugs of tea or simply making sure you have lumbar support, take the time to get comfy.
Fall in Love With Your Story
If you’re hammering out over 11,000 words of your story a week, you might as well make sure that it’s one that you like! Choose story elements and plot devices that you would want to see as a reader. Indulge your creativity and fall unabashedly in love with your manuscript as you go. Everything else can be worked out in revision.
It’s Never Too Late to Outline
Sometimes a plot point or chapter just won’t come out like you thought it would. If you find yourself stuck this NaNoWriMo, don’t be afraid to take a step back and puzzle it all together. Jot down whatever you want or need to happen, and get clear about how your plot points connect. You may be surprised at how easily a solution comes when the pieces are laid out in front of you.
Join a NaNoWriMo Writing Group
Need a social boost or advice from fellow authors? Good news! There are dozens of groups of like-minded writers participating in NaNoWriMo. Check social media hashtags, community groups, or even the NaNoWriMo website to sync up with a support circle.
Take Care of Yourself
Creativity can be little like an excitable puppy. When it’s good, it’s easy and fun to get things done. When it’s bad, you have to chase it down and firmly tell it to behave. One of the best ways to keep your creativity in a good mood is to take good care of the person it comes from—that means you! You can’t create if you’re dragging from lack of sleep, water, healthy foods, or anything else. Make you and your well-being a priority, and watch the words fly!
Keep Track of Important Story Elements
Fifty thousand words is a lot to get through in four weeks; there are a lot of moving parts that have to come together to make it work. Take some of the stress out of your NaNoWriMo experience by keeping notes on important story pieces—everything from character traits and backstories to notes on key locations, important items, or essential dialogue. There’s so much more room in your brain when you don’t have to juggle the details.
Set Goals for NaNoWriMo
If you do the math, completing NaNoWriMo means writing almost 1,700 words per day for all of November. If your fingers are aching just thinking about it, you aren’t alone—but don’t let that deter you. With a little planning ahead, you can avoid some of the curveballs that writing always seems to throw at us. If you know that 1,700 words per day will burn you out, consider shifting some of those words around to give yourself a day off. The same goes for vacations or planned events. Adding a few hundred words to surrounding days will keep you on track.
Stay Realistic
We know we just said to keep your eyes on the prize, but sometimes life gets the better of you. It’s a busy time in a busy world, and that may mean that 50,000 words is too lofty a goal for one month. Don’t let getting behind on the word count freak you out. Fifty thousand words is the goal, but it’s not the only measure of success. If you find yourself trailing with only a week to spare, take a deep breath and assess what you can do before the end of NaNoWriMo.
Ditch Your Inner Editor
One of the best (and most difficult) parts of NaNoWriMo is that there’s almost no time to self-edit. If that sounds like a negative, hear us out. Self-editing and revision are important (we even wrote an article about it), but sometimes your internal editor can be the barrier between you and your goals. Forget about obsessing over perfect word choice and grammar. Instead, focus on letting go and immersing yourself in the world you’re building.
Whether you’re a NaNoWriMo newbie or an experienced participant, we hope these tips help you on your way.
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