Staying Motivated During NaNoWriMo
One of the hardest things about NaNoWriMo is not a lack of ideas or finding the time to write—it’s a lack of motivation. You’ll find the time to write if you’re excited about what you want to say and if you have direction. If you worried about staying motivated during NaNoWriMo, try these simple suggestions.
Staying motivated becomes easier when you have a clear writing plan when November hits. Obviously that has to do with outlining, but you should try to readjust your goals each night. If you’re unsure about a scene, do some extra planning. It will help you write smoothly through November.
Get Hooked Up On Social Media
Get on Twitter, start a Facebook page, or keep track of your progress on your blog. It might not seem like it will help, but publicly keeping track of your progress helps motivate you. You’ll also get to see what other writers are doing and maybe tap into some of their momentum. Let your family and friends know what you’re doing, so they can cheer you on!
Figure Out What Inspires You
Do you like listening to music while you write? Make a playlist for NaNoWriMo. Is there a specific place you like to write? Try writing in different places to see what works best. Do you like watching television? Start a new (long) television show to marathon through or something you’re familiar with, depending on what helps you. Figure out what works best for you!
When NaNoWriMo starts that doesn’t mean you should stop coming up with ideas. Your main story ideas should be set, but you can allow yourself to be inspired by new ones. After every day during NaNoWriMo, try to set aside some time for brainstorming your next days writing. Allow yourself to explore different possibilities if you want to stay motivated.
A lot of people will be going through the same thing as you, so seek them out! Find writing partners online or find a friend that will go through NaNoWriMo with you. It’s much better when you have someone to lean on.
There are a lot of people writing NaNoWriMo tips, so keep track of them when you’re looking for motivation. Find quotes from writers that you find inspirational and keep them somewhere accessible. Read something by an author that motivates you.
Remind Yourself of Your Goals
A great way to stay motivated is to remind yourself of your goals. When you’re feeling stuck, remind yourself of why you want to complete NaNoWriMo. There must be a reason why you want to finish a novel in a month, so keep that in your head! Prove to yourself that you have it in your to do it.
