A big welcome to all our new members for this year's NaNoWriMo.
Are you excited yet? Yes, it’s coming up to that time of year again. It’s an adrenalin rush. Will I make it? What if I fail? Nah, I won’t fail. You know what it doesn’t matter if you do, as long as you give it your best shot and have fun. Now, to prepare you for the epic month ahead here are some tips. If anyone has anymore please add them in the comments.
1. Have an idea of what you intend to write. Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, you still need to have at least some idea about what genre you intent to write. I’m plotting this year, so that will be interesting. I’m writing book 2 of Cassandra’s ‘Scarlett House Series’.
2. Get your writing space sorted. Make sure you have plenty of room to work. Okay, this may be a mammoth job on my part. My office looks like it’s been a playground area for 20 or more kids.
3. Cook ahead. My slow cooker is getting a good workout this month with easy to re-heat meals.
4. Make sure you tell family and friends your writing times. If they ring or call round for a coffee or chat in those times ignore them, you’re not available. It can be done, I’ve done it. Yes, I’ve been told I’m rude, my reply is, “I told you I was busy.” You just have to be serious.
5. Stay off the internet during your writing time. Facebook, Myspace and Twitter will survive without you for a few hours a day.
6. Turn Spell check and the editing tools off during November or at least the WIP you working on the month. If you don’t you’ll spend half your time editing and not writing.
7. If you reach your word count for the day treat yourself to a small reward. Set major milestones and select a reward when each one is met. They don’t have to be big rewards, a coffee and biscuit or chocolates (okay that will not be one of mine) or a long soak in a hot bubble bath. Anything that will give you a boost.8. Have your house sorted so there is very little housework to do during November. Or better yet get someone else to do the work.
9. If you are a member of a lot of online groups go no mail on the ones that are not needed or at least go digest.
10. Believe in YOURSELF.
That’s it for me. I hope you have a great November. We’ll have blogs posted during the month to help motivate you and your word graphs will be updated each Saturday. More details on that will be posted on the loop. In the mean time happy planning/organising.
Sandie
