NaNoWriMo 2018 – Tips and Tricks 8

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With Halloween just around the corner, that also means that NaNoWriMo is just about to begin! So you’d better start your creative engines and get up to that starting line because it’s going to be one short month. You always think that 30 days is a long time.

It goes by in a heart beat. You’re still on chapter 4 and suddenly it’s December!

So, how do you survive? How do you get anywhere in the month when you are so busy?

Take everything I say with a grain of salt because I’ve never actually reached the 50k mark, I’ve come pretty close. Maybe one year I’ll make it!

Tips and Tricks

1. Start planning now!

You have just under a week before the count officially begins so now is the time to start planning! No cheating though, you can’t start writing the official story. But you can start creating outlines and writing your ideas down for the kind of direction you’d like your story to create. Maybe create your characters or start brainstorming at least!

2. Make sure to start off strong!

In the beginning, you’re more likely to have more motivation so definitely use that to your advance. Get to writing and creating ideas. Don’t worry about editing. That can be done during December. November is all about writing. Just write, write, write! You have a set of words you need to write each day, so if you can start off and get ahead, that means the days you don’t have time don’t feel so bad!

3. Plan your days during the month!

Use your calendar to plan your writing times. Make sure to check the calendar at NaNoWriMo.org to find out when the word dashes are and online chat sessions where you can motivate yourself with other people! Carve out time in your week when you can write. So maybe instead of watching a movie on a Friday or trolling the internet, go and write! You can go a month without some of your usual things because WRITINGGGGG~!

4. Don’t get discouraged!

It can be really difficult to push though, especially in that last week and a half of November. But don’t give up. You aren’t necessarily writing to get this published, but for enjoyment. There are no deadlines that are the end of the world. Just remember to push through. Even if you don’t meet the 50k word that’s okay. Just don’t give up! Get online to the chats with other people. Make friends in your area if you can to write with. It honestly helps and saves your life to get through it!

5. Set your goal lower and impress yourself!

I don’t generally set my goal as 50k. That’s always there as a goal, but I generally set it lower depending on my life. One year it was only 20k, but I generally set it at about 30k as that is really do-able doing the month. When I make that I feel accomplished. If I go above that, then it’s even better. But set it to be whatever is better for you. Maybe only 10k words is something you can do. That is okay! Set is lower and surprise yourself instead of too high and being disappointed.

Overall, just know that you can do this! I’ll be right there, writing along side you, so if you ever need some extra help, feel free to contact me!

I know that I’ll be spending the next week or so planning out my story. Can’t wait for it to begin!!!