With Nanowrimo kicking off, writers all over the globe are picking up their pens, notebooks, and keyboards ready for the task of drafting a novel in thirty days.
Here are a couple of tips to keep you going through this year’s attempt at penning your first book and making it big.
Make a daily goal calendar.
50k words seem like a looming monster. Many Nanowrimo participants get spooked by how gargantuan a task it is. A good way to get rid of the nerves and paralyzing fear is to break it down into smaller goals through the month. A thousand words a day is standard but you can divide it to 500 words for half a week and crank it up during the weekend. Any combination can work.
Don’t get discouraged.
It’s easy to want to give up as you trudge through the pages. The thing to remember is that it’s not a sprint. Go at your own space and don’t get discouraged because people are going faster than you.
Don’t forget self-care
Many writers tend to get so immersed in their story they forget eating and sleeping aren’t a choice. We all laugh at the jokes about staying up, pulling all nighters, and suffering for your art but the truth is, if you sacrifice your mental health and well-being for this you are no longer giving it your all. Keep your eye on the price but don’t let it be the only thing you’re focusing on.
Have a good Nanowrimo and remember