CornerScribe

National Novel Writing Month: Week One

Okay, you’ve started the novel. Maybe you’re already making great headway. Your word count may even be ahead of schedule. Kudos!

This is my fourth year of NaNo, so I feel a little bit qualified to give some tips on how to make it through the month.

Week one is exciting, even exhilarating. You’re writing a NOVEL, and it feels fantastic.

1. Take advantage of that excitement, and do all the writing you can. Exceed your word count every day if you can. When you get a great idea for later, jot it down.
2. Don’t start thinking the entire month will be this easy. Believe me, it won’t be.
3. The whole month won’t be as fun as week one either, but don’t let that bother you. You’ll have days when you hate NaNo and wonder why you ever had such a phenomenally stupid idea. That’ll pass too. Keep writing.
4. If you’re floundering in week one, all is not lost. Everyone hits their stride at a different point; you’re just a “late bloomer.” Keep writing.
5. Resist the urge to edit! You’re ahead on your word count, things are looking great, so you’ll just rewrite that one scene…. Don’t do it! Before you know it, you’ll be caught in rewrite hell and your word count will be stuck.

Succeeding at NaNo is as much about hard work and perseverance as it is creativity, but then again, so is writing in general! Stick with it, and post your tips for making it below.