Every year, thousands of people jump into the massive time commitment called NaNoWriMo. They vow to write 50,000 words by November 30th at midnight. Few make it, but many benefit. Here are some tips to help you if you’ve chosen to participate:
- Each day, write until your mind throbs like a thumb hit with a hammer
- Dinner is defined as ‘microwave’
- Choose your words like steps in a minefield–no, don’t do that. Choose them like it’s a field of daisies–no danger there. Just get all those thoughts down on paper. Your goal is quantity–quality comes later.
- Write until sleep hits you like a prizefighter’s punch
- If you’ve been struggling with your writing, consider this an intervention. It’s a totally different approach with lots of epeople on the sidelines cheering you on. Go get ’em!
- When you need a break, read in your genre. It’s quite inspirational.
- As you write, the picture you hope to create is probably Michelangelo rather than Jackson Pollock. That’s OK. You’ll fix it later.
- Whoever or whatever calls you, let it go to voice mail. Except the dog. That may be too important to miss.
That’s it–eight tips. Does this sound like your sort of gig? If not, that’s OK. You have to bloom where you’re planted. You’ll find sunlight somewhere else.
Still here, pondering? Check out Hannah’s pros and cons here, and Men With Pens fun article, Are you a NoNoWriMo Failure? If you’re wondering whether you should even stick your nose under that tent, here are my thoughts on that.
More on NaNoWriMo:
23 Reasons I’m NOT Doing NaNoWriMo
How to Kickstart Your Writing Career
Jacqui Murray is the author of dozens of books (on technology in education) as well as the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is webmaster for six blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for Examiner.com and TeachHUB, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. In her free time, she is editor of technology training books for how to integrate technology in education. Currently, she’s editing a techno-thriller that should be out to publishers next summer.
Pingback: 18 Good Reasons I’m NOT Doing NaNoWriMo « Jacqui Murray
Pingback: 18 Good Reasons I’m NOT Doing NaNoWriMo | WordDreams...
I just told my husband about our upcoming November dinners. 🙂 fast and easy will be the way to go. Thanks for all the tips, Jacqui!
LikeLike
Well, HE could could, hunh? Just sayin’
LikeLike
He could cook? Left to him, we’d have barbecue every night. That’s the only food he cooks — besides breakfast.
LikeLike
Woah I sure messed up that typing, but you understood me. Yes–could cook! My husband just bought a Big Green Egg bbq. I think I’ll be seeing a lot of bbq also.
LikeLike
In my house dinner is always defined as a microwave.
Great inspiration, though, for writing, just for writing.
LikeLike
Too often, for me, too. The microwave is the new stove top.
LikeLike
I’ve never done Nano but I love reading blogs about it during November. It’s like a roller-coaster ride for writers 😀
LikeLike
I’m going to read them this year, see if they’re general positive or negative, inform my next year decision!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Sleepy Book Dragon and commented:
First of a bunch of NaNo Prep coming your way!
LikeLike
Thanks for the reblog!
LikeLike
No problem. ^^
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The Crazy Modern Writer and commented:
Very true, and helpful.
LikeLike
Thanks for the reblog!
LikeLike
No problem! Really great article by the way. 🙂
LikeLike
It’s an age-old debate: Should writers meticulously outline a story before beginning or should they simply sit down at the keyboard and start typing, blindly trusting that the characters will reveal what should happen next
LikeLike
Do you think NaNoWriMo is the latter? Twere I to do it, I’d probably do a comprehensive outline first and then write. Now that I’ve said that, it probably wouldn’t work for the spirit of the contest. My outlines are close to 70 pages. Hmm….
LikeLike
Great tips and I love your metaphors 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks. Love your humor over at your blog. Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the drop by….hope to see you again soon 🙂
LikeLike
Great tips Jacqui I found the number one thing that got me going in Nano was watching my writing buddy top my word count everyday. That is a huge motivator.
LikeLike
Oooh, that’s a good idea–have a writing buddy. I’ll work on that for next year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m thinking of participating this year – I hope I can make it, but it’s just my first time. Just hoping I don’t run out of ideas too soon!
LikeLike
I keep sitting on the sidelines, observing. I have a good excuse–I’m busy writing my non-fic–but it is merely an excuse.
Next year for sure, I’ll do it.
LikeLike
I’m not doing it because it’s too stressful, but I still like the tips to use year round.
LikeLike
That’s my complaint–it’s too stressful. I do my best writing by jumping in when inspired and setting it aside when nothing pops to mind. I don’t think you can do that with NaNoWriMo.
LikeLike
Thinking of trying it this year!
LikeLike
Me too. I’m going to see how everyone does this year.
LikeLike
You always come up with something Jacqui to brighten our dull days. I’m a coward, not doing it as I struggle with my first draft. I’m envious of my friends this side of the pond who far better writers than me. Love the stairs and microwave metaphors. Arun
LikeLike
I’m with you Arun. We need NaNoWriMo Lite–maybe 5000 words.
LikeLike
I’ve never done this. It always seems a bit like creative athletics to me, and I can’t see myself ever doing it. Having said that, its a concept or project I hear about all the time in Blogland
LikeLike
A lot more often than ROW80. People seem to love that one, too.
LikeLike
I love that dinner is defined as microwave!
LikeLike
That’s one step lazier/busier than take-out (which I rarely partake of).
LikeLike
I’d talked myself out of it this year, and now I’m seriously considering taking part. If I can decide on a project, I’m going for it! Great tips – such humour is always appreciated 😉
LikeLike
Well, do blog about it. I’m considering it for next year. I’ll watch your progress, see if you convince me!
LikeLike
lol – I’m not sure about convincing, but I did it last year, so if it’s as much fun I’ll be okay 😉 I’ll do a few updates along the way!
LikeLike