NaNo Recon
November 17, 2011 
11 Comments
Renee offers some great tips for surviving and thriving in the National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. To see the other articles, check out NaNoWriMo – Just Do it and Quick Tips for NaNoWriMo.
If you’re participating in NaNoWriMo, you know it’s week three, where you’re really pushing things now. Your NaNoWriMo word count should be about 30,000 by now. If you haven’t written that much, don’t worry, just know that you’ll have to set a new daily word goal to finish with 50,000 words. Let’s do a little recon of your progress.
Where Is My Story Now?
This is the point where you are likely going to see the potential problems with your story come to light. It’s okay. In my last post, I talked about this being a contest about quantity more than quality. Unless you find that the story is just not going to work at all, I would recommend that you push forward, but make notes of the issues that you’ll need to correct later. For example:
You realize that you need to add a new character in order for the mystery to unfold correctly, and for you to be able to put in enough red herrings (I’m a mystery writer, can you tell). Add in the new character now, showing the character doing whatever he needs to be doing NOW to move the story forward. And make a note that you need to add this person in earlier in the story. I’ve done this even when I’m not in NaNoWriMo.
This #$%@# Writing Project!
You may be cursing everyone under the sun at this point, including yourself, for ever taking up this writing project we call NaNoWriMo. Why did I do this? Pushing very hard for such a short time can produce stress, anger, depression, and other negative emotions. Remember, it’s okay to have those moments. Take a break. Do something else for a bit. And, I know this might be hard to contemplate, but it’s okay to quit. Your health and relationships truly are more important. But, if you want to press on, remind yourself that you are more than halfway to your goal. The end is in sight and you can make it there. Speaking of the end…
That NaNoWriMo Word Count
Let’s face it: to win, you have to write 50,000 words in November. If you are anywhere near that NaNoWriMo word count, take just a moment to congratulate yourself. You’ve pushed on further than a lot of people. That deserves recognition. But, and here’s the key, that little bit of recognition you give yourself, or that you might find in a NaNoWriMo support group, will give you a great psychological boost. Knowing that you’re so close can give you that extra spurt of energy to power on toward your goal.
Keep this in mind as well: many people never finish a novel at all. You’re doing it in one month. That in and of itself is amazing, so acknowledge it!
Final Thoughts
You are almost there! Keep putting words to paper (or computer) and before you know it, you will have reached your goal. Good luck!
And I’d like to remind everyone about my contest. I am giving away a Kindle to one lucky person! For the details, visit my website at www.reneepawlish.com. Good luck with NaNoWriMo, and with my contest!
So that’s what NaNoWriMo is! I’ve heard people talking about it for years, and always been at a loss as to what they’re on about.
This is definitely something I’m going to look into trying the next time it comes around. I always find the lack of hard deadlines to be one of the larger obstacles when writing, so this could be ideal. Thanks for finally explaining what all those people were talking about to me.
I am certain that people like me will be able to have something which will contribute to this kind of topic.Nice post,Thanks for sharing this post with us…
Hey, guy, try an imedia transfer which could backup iPad/iPod/iPhone media files, such as songs, movies, music and TV shows to computer or to iTunes effectively. and then you could sync movies / music on another iPad/iPod/iPhone.Just google ‘imedia transfer’ to find one and good luck 2 u!
The information that you have shared is actually interesting and you have pointed all the important statements which made your blog interesting and informative.
Liane Markus recently posted..יוגה תרפיה
Twitter: reneepawlish
November 28, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Thanks, glad it’s helpful.
Renee Pawlish recently posted..Double Indemnity – The Best of Film Noir
Hi Renee,
Been waiting for the updates on your NaNo headlines, since I am that eager to know more things about it. It worth my wait, it is because I gained another helpful knowledge. Another update? Then I will go sneaking again.
Lew recently posted..Positive Affirmations Help Deal With a Negative Attitude
Twitter: reneepawlish
November 24, 2011 at 9:45 PM
Thanks, been working on a wrap-up one for next week. Thanks for the comment and good luck to you!
Renee Pawlish recently posted..Double Indemnity – The Best of Film Noir
Hey Renee,
Wow, it is what I am sneaking for in your blog’s web. cannot wait for it’s release. So glad that it is now it Week 3. Wanted to utilize the new ideas that you had brought. Gonna sneak for it’s Week 4. By the way, superb and informative post.
Yoj recently posted..Best 6 Physiotherapy Exercises for Ankle Pain and Injury in Joints
Twitter: reneepawlish
November 22, 2011 at 10:55 AM
Thanks, glad it’s helpful, and I appreciate you commenting.
Renee Pawlish recently posted..Double Indemnity – The Best of Film Noir
For me, kit is not easy to come up with a 30,000 words but I think this can be effective if you have lots of ideas in mind. I am certain that people like me will be able to have something which will contribute to this kind of topic.
Liane Markus recently posted..how to become an animator
Twitter: reneepawlish
November 22, 2011 at 10:54 AM
Very cool, keep at it. Thanks for the comment.
Renee Pawlish recently posted..Double Indemnity – The Best of Film Noir