Welcome back, NaNoWriMo Warriors! Can you believe the holidays are creeping up already? Hopefully, your word count is looking more “almost-there” than “what-was-I-thinking?” This week, we’re diving into a NaNoWriMo obstacle that trips up many of us: the need for just one more bit of research before we can keep writing. Trust, we’ve all been there. Research can be a sneaky form of procrastination that stops you from getting those words on the page. So, how do we do this without falling into a research rabbit hole?
Here are 5 ways to sneak in some research during NaNoWriMo without losing your momentum:
1. Make a list
Sure, research feels important. But you’re not writing an encyclopedia, you’re writing a novel. As you’re drafting, make a running list of things you need to research, and promise yourself to look them up later. Use brackets or highlight your to-do research points within your manuscript, but keep writing. When you have a research moment, quickly jot down key facts or quotes in a separate document and keep it nearby for easy reference later. The goal: keep writing and save the Googling for your research breaks.
2. Pencil it in
So, when do you fit in research? The key is to schedule it like a grown-up. Set aside short bursts—say 20 minutes—before, after, or between writing sessions. But here’s the catch: your writing time is sacred. No peeking at the internet during your writing sprints! Set a timer, hit the books (or Google), and get back to your draft once the time’s up. Think of it as “research coffee breaks” that don’t involve caffeine (unless you also need caffeine).
3. Listen up
Research doesn’t have to take place at a desk with a stack of books. Use audiobooks or podcasts to absorb information while doing something else. Cooking dinner? Listen to a podcast on ancient Rome. Commuting? Audiobook about medieval castles! You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn on the go without interrupting your writing groove. Bonus: you’ll be way cooler than your friends when you drop knowledge bombs at dinner parties.
4. Prioritize
Planning ahead is key. Before diving into your writing session, decide exactly what you need to know to move forward. Don’t get sidetracked by what might be interesting or potentially helpful. Focus on just the essentials. Maybe you only need to know how to say “thank you” in Finnish for your character’s dialogue. Once you’ve identified your research priorities, you’ll avoid wasting precious writing time looking up everything under the sun. Remember: less is more!
5. Multitask
Okay, so you’re checking social media while waiting for your microwave burrito to finish. Why not make it work for you? Use your social media time to crowdsource info. Post a quick question on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. Maybe someone knows exactly what it’s like to ride a camel in the Sahara. You’ll save yourself hours of Googling. And who knows? You might even find the perfect character name while scrolling through memes. Multitasking FTW!
Conclusion
Don’t let your need for perfect information keep you from writing. If something’s unclear, write around it and fill in the gaps during your research breaks. Remember, it’s all about momentum. Write first, research later, and keep your NaNoWriMo mojo going strong. You’ve got this!
As we wrap up our NaNoWriMo series, we hope these tips help you finish strong and make your way to that 50k finish line. And before the holiday chaos sets in, check out our next post for some final NaNoWriMo tips—just in time for the real madness. Happy writing and Happy Thanksgiving!