Courtesy of nanowrimo.org
Every November is National Novel Writing Month where people from around the world try to write 50,000 words/a novel in the month. This has been going on for over 20 years and now includes hundreds of thousands of people from across the globe.
I have participated in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, for 9 years now, and “won” 8 years. Many people ask “what do you get if you win?” Well, it’s not a cash prize, instead you receive bragging writes for your accomplishment, and more importantly, you get a book! A book by you that didn’t exist before!
I also get asked a lot more “how do you write so much in one month?” That’s a harder question. Doing NaNoWriMo over these past years has taught me the importance of not listening to your inner editor and just getting the words down on the page. I find that if you try to edit as you write, you will never get your 1,677 words per day that you need. As well, after 2 weeks, if you start editing, you’re going to start convincing yourself that what you have to write, what you have to say, isn’t worthy, that it’s all garbage.
You have to remember, it’s a first draft. The key is to get the words down and edit later. You would be amazed at the gems you find when you go back after November and start reading what you wrote.
I’ve always found NaNoWriMo a ton of fun and very motivational. The key is to believe in yourself, believe in the story inside you. Then when November comes, get lots of treats, tea, coffee, and carve out time each day to write, be it an hour in the morning or evening when everyone is asleep, or little 15 minute chunks of time scattered throughout the day.
For more information, inspiration and motivation check out the website at NaNoWriMo.org.
Beth Rosell