WRITING DURING NANOWRIMO<\/p>\n
4. Get off to a good start\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Oh yes. This is probably THE most important tip. Get off to a good start (there, I repeated it for you). Work hard and get that first 2,000 words in on the first day. I know, I know, it\u2019s more than the 1,667 that you need, but believe me, you will want those words in the bank. If you can, write more! Don\u2019t stop.<\/p>\n
I have seen the heartbreak posts so many times now. \u201cI\u2019m 1,000 words behind, but I\u2019ll catch up at the weekend\u201d. No you won\u2019t. \u201cI\u2019ve had a slow start, but I reckon I\u2019ll be able to write double tomorrow\u201d. No you won\u2019t. \u201cI\u2019ve not actually started yet, and I know it\u2019s the end of the first week, but things have been so busy for me, and I know I\u2019ll have some time during the second week, so I\u2019ll catch up then\u201d. NO. YOU. WON\u2019T.<\/p>\n
You might, though. I would say, 1 in 10, or maybe fewer than that, actually catch up. Writing is like a muscle. If you don\u2019t use it, it withers away and dies. You have to exercise it every day in order to keep it in top trim. So, during all the hype and excitement of November 1st, write 2,000 words. Next day, write 2,000 words. Next day, the same. After that, you\u2019ll breeze through the challenge. Your writing muscle will be fully developed, and it\u2019ll be itching to get working as soon as you open your eyes in the morning.<\/p>\n
5. Short bursts<\/b><\/p>\n
This is a technique I\u2019ve used in the past couple of years. I write in short bursts. Or rather, I develop the ability to write in short bursts. 10 minutes. 15 minutes. Maybe half an hour.<\/p>\n
We all have busy lives, and many, many distractions from our writing. Finding that two-hour golden writing time ain\u2019t gonna happen if you work, have families, or friends, or strange habits. How many times have you said: \u201cIt\u2019s not worth starting to write now, I\u2019ve only got twenty minutes before …\u201d<\/p>\n
Poppycock. I would guess that most people use laptops. Keep your work open, and just put the laptop into sleep or whatever mode it goes into. When the advert breaks come during your favourite, can\u2019t-miss programme, pick up your laptop, and write a bit. When you\u2019re not writing, think about your novel. Plan what you\u2019re going to write next. As soon as you open the computer, start typing. Don\u2019t think, or look up to the ceiling in your best Hemingway pose. Write. I can write 1,000 words an hour. In 5 minutes, I can 80 words. During an evening\u2019s TV watching, I can write half my NaNo words for the day, without finding any writing time, per se.<\/p>\n
Or – spend a month not watching your normal soap operas. Two soaps an evening, half an hour each, makes 1,000 words. Over half my daily requirement.<\/p>\n
Or – write in your lunch hour. 1,000 words, right there.<\/p>\n
Or – get up half an hour early. A third of your words done before everyone else gets up.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t expect to find two hour slots for writing. It ain\u2019t gonna happen.<\/p>\n