How to Survive (and Thrive) During NaNoWriMo
National Novel Writing Month is fast approaching, and that means there are doe-eyed newblets and staunch veterans collecting their notes, and getting ready to type with purpose and fury to hit the infamous (and elusive) 50,000 word mark by November 30th. Let their words be added to the grinder, and their hearts burn with passion.
I’m going to assume that most of this year’s participants already have a story (and characters) in mind, and will be focusing on a few things you can do in the coming days to make your life a little easier in November.
If you’re anything like me, you easily get swept down the rabbit hole while you research for your novel. Whether it be settings you want to incorporate, career specifics you’re unsure of, or esoteric facts (like how many ducks can you have in a two acre lake and keep from contaminating the water, or how much amperage does it take to start a car), there is always another web page to peruse, and another detail to study.
By now, you likely have a good idea of the story you want to tell, even if you don’t know exactly how you want to tell it. Make life for your future self a little easier, and research an element of your story once a day in the days leading to November 1st. It will be invaluably helpful, and give you more writing time come November.
2. Dig out the calendar you’ve ignored so far this year, and fill it in.
Your average word count has to hit 1,667 to win NaNoWriMo. I type 54 WPM, but in writing mode, that slows down to account for backspaces and various word-smithing, but it’s safe to say 1,667 words is about two hours worth of my time. That’s pretty average, and more than doable. You don’t have to write it all in one sitting either. Space it out through the day if you have to (just after meals, after waking/before sleeping, etc).
If you have obligations you cannot avoid in November, plan around them. Maybe try to double your words on a Saturday so you can take Sunday off for your niece’s birthday, or hunker down on the couch with some Ben & Jerry’s and complain to the television about how sore your poor fingers are. Either way, there will have to allowances made, and a calendar will help.
3. Find an accountability buddy.
This is a little different than having your own personal cheerleader (if that’s what motivates you, find a coffee drinker or someone powered by Energizer™ batteries). I for one, need to feel shame or a sense of competition to truly shine. Find someone who is taking the NaNoWriMo plunge with you, and stick to them! Have daily check-ins, or do word sprints together. The camaraderie will help drive you even when your book just isn’t doing it for you.
4. Send your inner-editor on vacation.
If there’s one way to get overwhelmed by NaNoWriMo, it’s editing while you work. Your inner editor is more talkative than you, and that’s fine, they’re entitled to their opinion, but you know what they aren’t entitled to? Making changes to your manuscript. Hear what they say, but don’t act on their advice. Save that for December.
Keeping them around for NaNoWriMo is begging for writer’s block. The reason I bring it up now, is because the mental stretching can’t be done with the snap of your fingers. Give yourself permission now to make mistakes next month. Be prepared to not find your work as satisfying as you want it to be. It’s okay to write out your best approximation of the one scene you’re really looking forward to writing. It’s the first draft! Let it be imperfect!
All-in-all, NaNoWriMo isn’t for everyone, but I’d highly recommend trying it at least once to see what it’s about. It can be a great way of learning discipline in writing, and show you just what it’s like to write every day. If you’re curious, come take the plunge with us in November!
Feel free to reply and let me know how your prep weeks are going! I’ll be back with more NaNo related content soon.
