NaNoWriMo – Just Do It
November 3, 2011 
22 Comments
It’s November, so that means it’s National Novel Writing Month. Write 50,000 words in the month of November – simple, right? Ah, but we novelists know that this is easier said than done. And when you’re on a deadline, what do you do when writer’s block occurs? And believe me, feeling pressure can exacerbate writer’s block. Here are a few tips for writer’s block.
Just Do It
Okay, it sounds simple, but the old Nike saying applies. You have to sit in that chair and start writing. Ignore the television, shut off your cell phone, quit playing Internet games and so on, and just start writing. The distractions will always be there, and you have to force yourself to avoid them.
Just Write
In a contest like NaNo, you have to just write. This is not the time to worry about editing too much. This one is a particular issue for me, as I like to read over what I wrote the day before and edit it with a fine-tooth comb before I move on. Sometimes I don’t get much new writing done. You can’t do this during NaNo. If you must, read over what you did the day before and make a few changes, but resist hardcore editing. Just get the feel of where you were in the story and move on.
Just Work Fast
In order to write a 50,000 word novel in a month, that’s an average of 1,667 words a day. Try to beat that number in the first few days. Meaning, get on a roll and try to double that amount. Then, later in the month, when you’re facing burnout, you don’t have to write as much, but you can still meet that goal of 50,000 words total.
Just Avoid Writer’s Block
I know, it sounds easy, especially if you are a perfectionist like me. But here’s where number one (Just Write) comes in. If you feel stuck, just start writing. Don’t worry if it makes sense, or if it’s spelled correctly, just get some words on the page. I find that if I do this, I will soon get myself unstuck. I can delete the crap I just wrote and move forward with the gist of my story.
If, and only if, that doesn’t help, try a short walk, play a video game (just one), read part of a good book and study the structure. But, don’t let that distract you for more than a few minutes! Remember the goal of writing 1,667 words, so you have to get back to it.
Just Use the Forums
Chat with your friends, learn from others who are participating. But, as with the previous points, do not let this become a distraction that keeps you from your goal. NaNo is a great way to connect with other writers, but in order to be a writer, you still have to put words to paper (or computer document). Put a note up to remind yourself of your goal.
Final Thoughts
Writing 50,000 pages in one month is a daunting task. But breaking the process down can be extremely helpful, and learning to forgo distractions is a must. Good luck to all the contestants. I’m rooting for you!
Image courtesy of Paul.
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Thanks Renee. Your words are very encouraging. It motivates to achieve writing 50,000 pages in one month.
Twitter: reneepawlish
November 10, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Great, I’m glad it helps, and thanks for your comment.
Hi Renee,
I like the advice. I have been on vacation and helping with my sick sister who is in hospital. I did fine at first, but it is getting harder with her getting ready to come home. I am hoping tomorrow I can sit down and not get out of the chair.
Thanks for the encouragement. Sally
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Twitter: reneepawlish
November 10, 2011 at 1:10 AM
Sorry about your sister, and good luck to you. Thanks for the comment and keep at it
You are completely right. With everything in life, many a time you just have to close your eyes and dive in. |
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November 4, 2011 at 6:56 PM
So true! Thanks for commenting.
The simplest yet most powerful advice I’ve ever gotten when it comes to writing is, “Just Write!”
Even if the words are terrible, even if they don’t make sense or have nothing to do with what you want to say “Just Write!” and eventually the Good Words will come.
Thanks and best of luck to everyone participating in NaNoWriMo…
Ryan H.
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November 4, 2011 at 8:38 AM
Yep! Thanks for the comment.
Good posts and the comments are useful too! I would only add a caveat: if you don’t succeed in keeping up with this maddening pace, remember that it is indeed maddening!
If you can’t write 50,000 words in one month, it doesn’t mean you’re not a novelist! Some writers are slow, they need to let the plot develop and the characters mature. They need to find the right voice for the plot and characters. That can take time and it’s all right.
Let’s face it: NaNo does NOT lead to astounding manuscripts that hit bestseller lists…with perhaps one or two exceptions, like the recent YA novel about the Circus (sorry, can’t remember the title of that book) – but we still have to see whether it will make it big!
Let’s remember that NaNoWriMo is just a trick to fight writers’ block, nothing more than that. A good trick, no doubt, but still a trick…
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November 4, 2011 at 8:39 AM
Yeah I agree. I suspect most manuscripts would need some serious work once done. Thanks for commenting.
As a young newspaper reporter covering both a city and crime beat for an afternoon paper, I had to learn to write multiple stories on tight and unforgiving deadlines under the whiphand of an equally tight and unforgiving city editor. Each story was its own self-contained block of information with a standardized format. The key is to break your larger writing project into smaller segments that you can write quickly and efficiently, and then combine these segments into an integrated whole.
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November 4, 2011 at 8:40 AM
That’s good info, thanks for the comment.
All the ideas that you have mentioned here in your post is very helpful and useful to people like me who is also into writing articles. With different topics, it is very important to come up with a relevant article that is not just readable but interesting as well.
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November 3, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Thanks, I’m glad you found it helpful.
You are completely right. With everything in life, many a time you just have to close your eyes and dive in. Often though climbing back up the diving board ladder (mornings) you sometimes find yourself looking back down on the onlookers much more than you’d want to.
Aaron Siegel
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November 3, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Very true. Good luck to you.
Thank you Renee.
hey Renee
thank you for this Post. You inspire me very well.
I like your site and hope you are successfull with your Project
With best Wishes from Germany
Sandy
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November 3, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Thank you, and I hope you are successful, too! Thanks for commenting.
Allocate one day to organize your plot and flesh out your characters. You might like to let the characters develop as you write, but it helps to have a base. If you know where you are going, you will find it easier to get there.
Twitter: reneepawlish
November 3, 2011 at 12:07 PM
Yes, good points. Thanks for commenting.
Good advice David.