CornerScribe

Tips for Getting Through NaNo

National Novel Writing Month is only two weeks away, so it’s time to start thinking about how you’re going to get through what may very well be the most hectic month of the year. Even though you’ll be churning out 50,000 words in 30 days, writing isn’t the only thing you have to be concerned about.

Household Tasks 

Delegate and plan now. Start telling your family what you’re going to be doing, and ask for help. Remember to be specific. Ask someone to take over handling dinner, doing dishes, taking care of laundry, etc.

Take a few minutes and jot down everything you’ve done so far this week that you might want to ask for help with. Your list might look like mine.

• Cook meals, pack lunches
• Clean house
• Look after pets
• Walk dog
• Laundry!
• Pay bills
• Buy groceries
• Drop off mail, bills
• Caulk bathtub

First, ask yourself if anything can be put off. Can you order pizza one or two nights a week instead of cooking? Can everyone be responsible for his/her own laundry next month? How about buying paper plates to cut down on dishes?

If things can’t be put off, then get someone lined up now to help you with it. Even a couple days help a week can take a lot of stress off.

Blogging 

If you’re a blogger, start lining up extra posts now. You have two problems with blogging and NaNo-ing. The first is time (obviously). It’s going to be tough enough to find time to write your novel without adding the pressure of keeping up with a blog schedule.

The second issue is one I have to be careful not to succumb to. Blogging is often a very tempting distraction from the stress of the novel, particularly in the long second and third weeks.

One option is to write some extra posts now, if you haven’t started already. Set aside a few hours this weekend or a little time each night, and put together some posts for your blog. Most blog software will even let you schedule the post now to appear some time next month, so it’s truly something you can do now and forget.

Another option is to ask for a guest poster to contribute to your blog next month. If you have a person who frequently posts good comments, then ask if she’s open to guest posting. Another alternative is simply to ask (gasp!). Of course, you’ll want to read the posts before you post them on your site, but it can be a great time saver.

Thanksgiving 

In the U.S., we have the added challenge, and excitement, of having Thanksgiving fall during NaNo month. Cooking and family time are important, and you don’t want to miss thanksgiving dinner. My best solution is to plan on missing a couple days’ writing during the holiday.

Yes, as hectic as it will already be, I’m telling you to plan on writing your 50,000 words in about 28 days, not 30.

By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, you’re going to be exhausted. I know the respite from writing actually does me a lot of good. I rest, eat too much, and then start writing frantically the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Writing the Novel 

Which brings me to the core of the challenge. How do you keep your writing momentum through the month?

The short answer, you won’t.

In my case, I usually start and finish strong and struggle during weeks two and three. You may experience something different, but I doubt that many people can maintain their momentum through the entire 50,000 word trek.

I do a couple of things to make sure I don’t get too far off track during the rough times.

• First, I write more than my daily quota every day that I can. I know that even a few hundred words here and there will come in handy when I’m struggling to fill even one page.
• Second, I write every day (except Thanksgiving). Even if I don’t even come close to quota, something is better than nothing.
• Third, I don’t make myself write the novel in order. If I’m stuck on a scene, I skip it and move on to something a little easier.
• Finally, when I start wondering if I’m going to make it, I think about how great it feels to hit that 50,000 word mark. Believe me, it’s worth it.

What are your tips for making it through NaNo month?

Note: This post is a part of the group writing project at The Writer’s Manifesto Blog. The entry deadline isn’t until the 20th, so head on over and participate.