NaNoWriMo is upon us! And for those of you scratching your head thinking that’s a super weird word, you’re not alone. NaNoWriMo is shorthand for National Novel Writing Month which takes place during the month of November. It’s where writers across the globe accept the challenge to write 50K words over the course of 30 days.
While many writers start new novels during this period, some writers (like myself) choose to use this as motivation to finish their WIP or work-in-progress. Whatever your fancy, the goal is still the same – to write!
While 50K is a daunting number of words to hit, there are some ways you can keep yourself on track. A lot of it has to do with mind over matter and setting little goals that are more attainable sounding. Before you know it, you’ll have that novel knocked out!
Here are some tips to help you beat NaNoWriMo:
- Set a daily or weekly goal for yourself. It’s easier to hit a smaller word count of 1,666 words per day than it is to look at that 50K finish line. This is currently the method I’m using to keep myself motivated. Remember, baby steps.
- Don’t fret over editing! It slows your progress down and before you know it, you’ve rewritten the same 50 words over without moving that word count up. It takes time from your writing and distracts from your ultimate goal. You can always edit after November!
- Write what you love. If you start a novel that isn’t in your preferred genre, then you probably won’t want to finish it. Write about what interests you and you won’t even notice all the words you’ve written.
- Join a NaNoWriMo group! There are tons of them from Facebook to Instagram to Twitter. You’ll find tons of people taking up the writing mantle to complete their next novel and having more support is better than being alone. Join talks about word counts, talk about your gains and losses, and most importantly, have fun!
- Accept a challenge from a writing platform. There are places like Wattpad and Inkitt who take NaNoWriMo very seriously and even have accolades for it. As a moderator on Inkitt, they have weekly writing goals where you can earn badges for your profile. Cool, right?
- Get inspired. Nothing like having a little inspiration from your favorite Instagram author or Facebook page to motivate you to succeed!
- Take breaks when you need it. One thing that happens during NaNoWriMo is that people tend to try and write as much as they can during the first week and then taper off near the end. Take the break and rest your fingers so you can be refreshed for another day of writing. Don’t tire yourself out or lose your creative spark by burning the midnight oil for too long.
- Take time to catch up. I know this may sound contradictory to my last tip, but some people go overboard with the breaks. So, plan to double up your word count on the days you’re off so you have more time for yourself when you’re super busy during the week.
If you’d like to join me on my NaNoWriMo adventure and need someone to motivate you, I’m your girl. Follow me on Twitter where I’ll be updating my daily writing progress and overall progress every day during November. Leave a comment with your word count and I’ll root you on! I’m very good at being a cheerleader for other writers and promise you won’t be disappointed!
Do you have any tips for NaNoWriMo? If so, drop a comment and let us know what you do to make it happen! Remember, it’s all for fun, so don’t stress. We’re all enjoying this month together. Happy writing!
Author Lauren Eason 