Fast drafting not going as expected? No problem! This week, we’ve been reviewing strategies to win NaNoWriMo, despite the occasional bump along the road. Feel free to check out more tips here and here. Whether you’re looking to stay inspired or avoid nodding off, we’ve got you!
Here are 5 ways to stay pumped during NaNoWriMo:
1. Set a daily word count goal
Focusing on penning a whole 50k words can be overwhelming—not to mention kill your creative vibe. If you want to tackle that mammoth of a manuscript, break it down into manageable chunks. Instead of thinking about the big number, aim for maybe…1600 words a day. Show up consistently and track that word count as you go, and you’re guaranteed to hit your goal.
2. Create a writing playlist
We’ve all got a song or two that gets our brain percolating about that story we’ve been ruminating. Put it in a playlist with a dozen similar tracks and watch that creativity flow. Bonus: Music can boost your mood and keep you revved as you write. Choose tunes that inspire you or get you in the zone. Just don’t get too distracted dancing!
3. Join a writing community
We can’t recommend this enough. NaNoWriMo is a writing event—so put yourself out there! Whether online or in-person, sharing your progress with others keeps you accountable and motivated. Plus, it’s fun to cheer each other on! Join a challenge or shoutout to others on social media. Stay in the right headspace by keeping things light.
4. Reward yourself
NaNoWriMo may be a challenge, but that doesn’t mean you have to stress yourself out! Treat yourself to something special after completing your daily goal—like your favorite snack or an episode of that show you love. Give yourself something special to look forward to, and you’ll be that much more motivated to return to the desk tomorrow.
5. Embrace that messy 1st draft
Got a plot hole? Okay. Not sure how your character got to that exact destination? It’s whatever. When the time is right, you’ll figure it out. Remember, right now, perfection isn’t the goal. Just let those ideas flow without judgment. You can always revise later!
Conclusion
NaNoWriMo is one of those things that’s not nearly as much about the destination as it is the journey. As long as you keep writing, you’ve already won! Don’t give up, writers. You’ve got this! Starting to feel your momentum slowing down? Tune in next week as we review the top mistakes to avoid during NaNoWriMo!