Nanowrimo thoughts
We’re one-third the way through National Novel Writing Month and I have some thoughts. It’s been quite a few years since I’ve actually had a consistent writing rhythm, in general, let alone against this goal. For those who don’t know, the goal of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. Now that we’re 10 days in, I want to discuss some things.
I’m sitting in a Barnes and Noble in snowy Anchorage, Alaska, as I write this, across from my little girl while we wait for her daddy to finish up with an appointment. We browsed for a little bit, sat in the café while I wrote about 700 words toward todays goal, and then browsed some more before checking out. Now, we’re sitting back in the café, she’s watching some Netflix, and I’m writing this blog. I’ll count this blog internally, but at this moment we’re about 150 words in
I’ve attempted NaNoWriMo a few times in the last decade, and I’ve only succeeded twice. One year, I started writing book 2 in my elemental series, The Fury’s Curse, which will come out in the near future. Though I started writing it, I woke from a dream about a week in and shifted gears. Instead of writing high fantasy, I chose to write dystopian/post-apocalyptic. I still haven’t edited it, mainly because each time I try I wonder what I was on and why it was so dark. The next time I attempted, I started and I think I made it maybe halfway through and had to stop due to work and personal reasons. I chose to then piece a bunch of stuff together to get NaNoWriMo goodies, and called it a year. Ok, technically I only succeeded one year.
Last year, CreativiTea, my writing group here in Alaska, hosted a few informal write-ins with the goal of working toward our 50,000 words and again, life and work got in the way.
This year, though. I feel 2023 is the year for me to complete this goal again with a cohesive project.
I don’t remember when I initially came up with this idea, but it wasn’t until this year that I finally figured out exactly every piece of the plot. To be clear, I am a pantser, but because this idea is out of my comfort zone, I actually outlined this piece using free print-outs from Novel Software.
Success during NaNoWriMo looks different for everyone, so the below strategies I’ll outline have helped me this time around.
1. NaNoWriMo has a recommended daily wordcount to help you reach the goal. You can either write at or over, which helps adjust how much you would need to do the next day. This has helped me feel ok if I need to take a day off, like I did yesterday.
2. If you are an outliner, definitely outline before you start. It’ll help you stay on track as it has me. I chose to outline this time so I didn’t get lost like I usually do, and it’s kept me focused.
3. Establish a daily rhythm and strive to write at the same time of day. Many people wake up early or stay up late, maybe put their kiddos to bed and write right after. Whatever it is, stick to it and the month will go by quickly.
4. Find an accountability partner or group. In CreativiTea, we have weekly meetings every Monday, so that is one of our dedicated times to write. I also have a coworker who wanted to journal more, so we’ve been each other’s’ accountability partners this month.
5. If 50,000 words is too daunting, break it out into smaller goals to achieve. If it’s simply writing every day for 30 minutes, or writing so many words a day, as long as it’s consistent and easily attainable for YOU, you’re already winning.
6. Have fun! If you’re not enjoying the process, don’t do it. Ultimately NaNoWriMo is a chance for you to challenge yourself and engage with other writers who are also challenging themselves. It’s fun, but it can also be daunting and stressful. If it gets to be stressful, step away and come back another day.
I can’t wait to check back in in 10 more days and let you know where I’m at.
Happy writing!
