It's NaNoWriMo! 3 Tips for Success

 

Aspiring novel writers have a love-hate relationship with November, and it's not because of all the facial hair. November is NaNoWriMo, the time of year when we challenge ourselves to write, or at least get a good start on, that novel we've been putting off our whole lives. 

This fabulously high-pressure movement started in San Francisco way back in 1999, but it really caught fire just a few years ago. Now you can find groups and contests and all kinds of activities related to the subject. In fact, you can use these diversions to procrastinate even further if you're so inclined. 

There are some tips and tricks to getting the most out of the month. 

1.Take a Break from Time Killers

Think of November as lent for writers. You need to temporarily dump the stuff that wastes your time. No, I'm not talking about your spouse and children... although, if you could get away to a quiet retreat for the month, it definitely wouldn't hurt. But I'm really talking about social media, video games, Netflix binging, and that type of thing. You can always go back to it in December. Of course, if it's a bad habit that you'd like to toss, use this as the prime opportunity. "They" say it takes a month to replace a bad habit with a good one. Maybe this is your big chance. 

I once read an article where Jonathan Tropper advised writers to work on a computer that is not connected to the internet. I think he has something there. 

2. Create a Work Space

I'm not super excellent at this, but it's really helpful to make yourself a cozy space where you can work. It should be quiet and free from interruptions if at all possible (hire a babysitter and don't tell your family where you're going.) 

Laptops mean that we can work literally anywhere (pun intended). This is definitely an advantage in that I have worked outside on a beautiful day, at the beach, and often in the car waiting for a child to be done with soccer practice. But it's also a challenge because I tend to just plop down and write wherever I am instead of creating the environment that is going to encourage optimal productivity.

3. Please Yourself. 

Use November as a time to write just to get your creativity flowing and to bring something out of your brain that gives you joy or satisfaction. Don't worry too much at this point about your audience or how you are going to sell it. If you possibly can, write the way you did when you first discovered that it feels good.

I hope you are encouraged and excited about spilling that novel in November. I'd love to hear about what you're writing.