I have been attempting to write a novel-- 50,000 words-- this November. It’s National Novel Writing Month, so why not, right? But I have started falling into my usual pattern where I start off relatively strong and I’m very excited about the idea that I’m writing and then… the drop off point. Something happens between the first few days of week one and week 2. I’m still interested in the story that I’m trying to write, but now I suddenly can’t find the time to write that story like I thought I would. It’s that time of the month where I need to remind myself why I wanted to write a novel in the first place and find strategies to stick with my novel. Here are some of those ways:
1. Writing Sprints.
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A writing sprint is basically a predetermined amount of time that you dedicate to writing your novel. Maybe that’s writing in fifteen minute bursts or writing for an entire hour. Either way, it’s timed and it’s a space for you to just spend time with your novel. Before November started, I pulled up a map of the area where I live, picked coffee shops both chain and independent, and put those places on my calendar along with a set time for me to have a writing sprint. I think this is what will be saving me and my word count this November.
2. Have a Particular Time to Write Each Day.
Find a time of day when you will have virtually no interruptions and set a reminder on your phone. Make your writing time sacred-- a time that you want for yourself and that is never interrupted by other things. Something that is routine for you will be easy to remember and will eventually, given enough time, become automatic. Then you don’t have to think twice about taking that time for your novel.
3. Take Risks With Your Writing.
Don’t be afraid to throw a crazy plot twist in your story or introduce a new character. You’re not writing a final draft here. This is a time to get everything about your story out in one place. You edit time and time again before you reach the final draft. That’s the writing process. You can afford to take many risks because you’re writing this for yourself and right now, your goal is 50,000 words and getting your story on paper in some way shape or form. You want to have fun writing your novel even though writing a novel can be endlessly challenging. No one said that you had to write a great and polished story by midnight on November 30th. So don’t make that an expectation for yourself either. It’s not realistic.
4. Have a Buddy.
One thing that I’ve found helpful is having someone else participate in NaNoWriMo too. Or at least have someone willing to ask you about your progress. I have a friend who started November ready to write his first novel. Even though he realized that finding time to write was an issue, it is still nice to have him to check in with. It means that my novel is never too far out of sight and that I’m thinking about it even when I’m not writing. Having someone to be accountable to has been nice to have and it's something that I haven’t had in previous years. Other people do make a difference.
Best of luck during the last couple weeks of NaNoWriMo! This is a great but worthy challenge and I know that if you really set your mind to it, you can accomplish this goal.
