National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an annual event in which participants commit to writing a 50,000-word novel during the month of November. It began in 1999 as a challenge between friends, but it’s since grown into a global writing challenge with hundreds of thousands of participants each year.
We’ve compiled some tips on how to keep your head in the game during this year’s NaNoWriMo.
Disconnect.
You know how people always say you need to unplug to be productive? Well, they’re annoyingly right. Turn off the TV, cellphone, stay away from the internet, all of it. If you need a break, try picking up a book–you might get an idea for what to write next.
Claim every spare minute.
If you work full time or just live a busy life, you might be struggling to find time to write. Instead of stressing about not having time, simply write at every opportunity. Write during breaks at work, on the train in the morning, stay up an extra hour at night, etc.
Don’t look back.
Don’t agonize word choice or character names and don’t reread and edit. Anything that needs fixing can be done when you sit down a month later with an accomplished smile to read your completed draft; red pen in one hand and a nice cup of coffee in the other.
Work ahead.
Things always come up as the month goes on, the trick is getting extra words in at every chance you get. That way when things do pop up and interrupt your writing, it’s not delaying your word count.
Always end a writing session only when you know what’s next.
Don’t let the ideas run out! Write a sentence or two about what happens next at the end of every writing session. This way, when you hit the keyboards again you know where the story is headed.
Have any tips of your own? Comment them below!
