Counting Down to NaNoWriMo
By: Claire Gem
Tags: Goals, NaNoWriMo, Creativity, Writing, Writing Tips

The end of October looms. It scares me for reasons that have nothing to do with Halloween.

The calendar hangs above my desk, taunting me. “October 30th!” it warns. “NaNoWriMo begins in LESS. Than. 48. Hours. Where’s your new story idea???”

I’ve been participating in this annual writing event now for over five years. Some years I “won,” i.e, wrote 50K words in 30 days. Sometimes, I did not. But one thing is for certain: every year, in November, I make a renewed commitment to my writing goals. My writing life.

After all, it’s a really big part of my life. One that is, for me, part of my emotional stability. An anchor for my sanity.

Several months ago, my current work in progress was stalled by a badly broken arm — my right arm, of course, and I’m right handed. I couldn’t type at all for the first six weeks or so. Even now, with a specially-adjusted, ergonomic keyboard, my time striking the keys is very limited due to the pain. I’m told this may never completely go away. I may never be able to use a mouse with my right hand again.

Does that mean my writing life will go away too? And what about NaNoWriMo???

For those who are planning to participate, I applaud your moxie. It takes a lot to make that commitment to getting a minimum of 1667 words down on the page every single day for an entire month. You folks probably have your story idea, your premise, have done your research, maybe even an outline.

For those who have not yet committed, I have some encouraging words.

I’m a devout pantser, but an outline helps

Much as I despise outlines, even if you do have a brand-new story idea, I will admit: a loosely constructed roadmap helps. With only 30 days to write that many words, you will get seriously “behind” if you reach a spot in the story where you get stuck. Where the characters stop talking. Where you have absolutely no idea what happens next.

Even if it’s nothing more than list of 10–12 “possible” scenes, write them down. Pin them up on your cork board (next to that damning calendar). They can be your saving grace on the days when the words just won’t come.

Photo by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

You don’t need a brand-new story idea

Just because the original premise for NaNo was to START a novel and write 50K words of it during November, there are no NaNo police. No one is going to come knocking at your door if your novel isn’t a brand-new one. There are no fines, no letters of reprimand, no public scourgings if you don’t reach the 50K mark.

I, for one, am too close to the novel I was working on when I broke my arm over three months ago. The story has lost its sparkle. I’ve written myself into a corner.

Spending an entire month tapping out an aimless stream of words on that story will, most likely, be a waste of time.

Sometimes you need to go digging in your archives

Since my current WIP is frozen in Imagination Wasteland, I realized (two days ago) that I had wasted the first 28 days of October trying to thaw it out. To no avail. This story, although it will someday get written, will have to wait for another day. Another year, perhaps.

I’ve got a few “new ideas” floating around in my head, but basically, I’ve run out of time to develop them enough to sit down and start typing in TWO SHORT DAYS. *gulp*

Time to go digging.

Time and distance are wonderful healers

Almost two years ago, I started the novel I was sure would be my “magnum opus.” I was gifted several sessions with a writing coach by a very good friend. Excited to develop my great idea further, I spent two Skype sessions with said coach.

By the end of the second session, my muse had packed her bags (including her magic fairy dust), and flown the coop. I’d received good advice, but just way too much of it. The story had turned into something other than what I’d intended it to be.

It was dead.

Two days ago, I dug out the file and read the first few chapters (editing along the way). I read my original —my original — synopsis. When I’d ditched the manuscript, I’d written over 30K words.

In reading over them, my muse landed on my shoulder and said, “Hey. This is some pretty damn good stuff. Here’s your NaNoWriMo for 2019.”

Time and distance are wonderful healers

Photo by Free-Photos from Pixabay

If nothing else, know your ending

The most important piece of advice I can offer to anyone who’s writing a novel is to know your ending. Write that last scene first, if you have to. It’s oh, so much easier to find your way out of the tunnel if you can see the light at the other end.

Not prepared for NaNoWriMo?

Y es, you are. No new story idea? No problem. Dig out one you gave up on months or years ago. Start at the beginning and read it. Tweak it. Get back into it. You still have two days before the official starting shot fires.

Take twenty minutes and quickly — without too much analyzing — sketch out 8 or 10 possible events that must still occur in your story before you reach The End.

And for heaven’s sake, write the ending scene, even if it’s only in the form of a one-sentence summary.

Then on November 1st, sit down and pick up where you left off. Even if you don’t add 50K words to your manuscript by month’s end, you will have won.

Commit. Right now. Just do it.

There are no NaNo police.

Whether you complete your novel, finish a rough draft of one you started long ago, or just get a few thousand words written — you’ve won. You’ve recommitted to your writing life, and your muse will show up — and hang around. I promise.