Raise your hand if you’re planning to take part in NaNoWriMo next month?
First of all, congratulations on deciding to tackle writing a novel in 30 days.
I’d never thought about taking the challenge until 2013 and doing it actually taught me a lot about myself as a writer and how I approach writing in general. It also got me thinking how to best tackle the challenge again and ways you can be most productive during November. Here are my top five tips I’d like to share with you-
Tip Number One-NaNoWriMo isn’t necessary about writing a novel in 30 days but getting 50,000 words on your computer or down on paper. There’s no rule that says it even has to be words that are all in the same story. During the 2013 challenge, I wrote 65,000 words but they were spread out between three stories in a trilogy I worked on. Don’t worry, and definitely don’t panic if one day in November you sit down to write and nothing happens. Simply switch to another story. It might be the one you continue writing or it could be just enough to spark the muse to get the first story up and running again.
Tip Number Two… and this is something you should be doing right now. Give writing for long stretches a test run. You wouldn’t think about running a marathon without first training for it and writing isn’t any different. Sit down and see how long you can write for without losing focus, getting distracted, or getting aches in your shoulders.
Tip Number Three-what does distract you? Is it looking out of the window? Then during NaNoWriMo choose another location. In fact, move around and see what spot you’re the most productive. Do you need to get up and walk around every 15 minutes or so?
Tip Number Four-are you a solo writer or one who does better in a crowd? I know I’m a solo writer but maybe you’d be more productive joining one of the many NaNoWriMo groups around the world. Sometimes there is nothing better than being part of a crowd to motivate you to get the job done.
Tip Number Five-Get everyone on board. I used to have a sign on my office door that said writer at work. It was sort of tongue in cheek but it did let others in the house know I was working and didn’t want to be disturbed. Let everyone know what you’re planning to achieve this November. I think you’ll find some people are so impressed they’re ask what they can do to help…and yes, don’t be shy about asking someone else to cook dinner while you work on your masterpiece.
Happy writing and here’s wishing you good luck with this year’s NaNoWriMo challenge. I’d love to hear how you get on.
Susan Palmquist is the author of 100 plus books including writing instruction, lifestyle, romances and mysteries. Under her pen name, Vanessa Devereaux, she writes erotic romances and erotica.
Since 2010 she’s been tutoring aspiring authors and offering workshops through various chapters of Romance Writers of America. She recently launched a mentoring/coaching service for both aspiring and established writers. You can learn more about Susan and her work at www.susanpalmquist.com www.vanessadevereaux.com and her writing blog at www.thiswriterslife.com
Contact Susan about her coaching/mentoring service at susanpalm2010@gmail.com
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