It's NanoWriMo Time

Well...almost

Image by rawpixel from Pixabay

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) begins in eight days. This will be my second time taking part in this yearly event.  The first time was in 2019. Though I “won” Nano, I didn’t complete the draft of my novel, (Really, the goal word count is too low for an actual novel.) Since then, I’ve picked away at it, but I had gone down a rabbit hole and needed to backtrack and sort things out. I have yet to do that.

This book, tentatively titled Nemesis, is the fourth and final in a YA science fiction/fantasy series I’ve been writing. Except I haven’t really been writing it over the last few years. Instead, I’ve focused on writing shorter fiction, first on Medium, and now on Substack and Buy Me a Coffee (both under the umbrella of Fiction in 50). I really need to get back on track.

What I need to do

The concept of NanoWriMo is to write 50,000 words during the month of November.

Given that there are 30 days in November, if I write every day, I need to put out 1,666 words per day (with an extra word one day) to win. Despite my best intentions to do this, I’m sure there will be at least a few days on which life will get in the way. Tuesdays are already basically written off. That means I need a cushion to cover those days. I need to write more words to create that cushion.

Preparation

I’ve been telling myself I don’t have time to focus on my novel. I do have a lot on my plate. I may not win Nano this year. But I’m going to test the belief that I don’t have time. I probably do if I can focus.

I will be starting a structural editing course on November 10th, which will take up about ten hours a week in addition to my other commitments. I’m choosing to not take on any editing clients over Nano.

My life is pretty busy, so I’ve done some things both to motivate myself and to create the time in which to get the writing done. Focusing on a work already in progress is a bonus as one of the ways Nano suggests prepping is to organize a project ahead of time so you can sit down and write from day one. I’ve already done that, so check. Here’s my list of what I have specifically done to get ready.

1.      I signed up and told others I’ll be doing Nano. By signing up, I made a commitment. I’ve also made my commitment public, including telling family and friends, blogging about it here, and ticking the box on the website to share my project publicly. I have a thing about completing things I’ve committed to, especially if others are aware of the commitment. For me it feels like I’ve somehow committed to them.

2.      I have both Substack and BMAC teed up through mid-December, other than the Micro 2 Go prompts, which can only be written as they come out. They will also count toward my Nano goal, so I consider that a win-win.

3.      For my first Nano, I had writing buddies. It didn’t really work out as I had expected. None of them were engaged. But I’ll seek out a few more this time around and see if I can find some writers who want to support one another. It can’t hurt to be in a mutually supportive relationship with others who are also trying to win Nano. This also increases that whole commitment to others thing.

4.      I’m going to look for a virtual Nano sprint-writing group. I took part in an in-person group last time, and it was helpful.

5.      I’m rereading what I’ve already written on this project and will figure out what I need to do about the rabbit hole. Then I’ll rethink which way to take things. Because I am so far into this series and already know how it ends, I’m really just filling in the trail to the final confrontation. I got too caught up in a side story. I need to define the main action.

6.      I’ve gotten into a bad habit of staying up too late and not being able to get up early. I’ve committed to an early bedtime and setting an alarm to force the issue.

Let the Countdown Begin

Nano in 8…7…6…

Are you planning to do NaNoWriMo this year? If so, do you want to be my buddy? I’m derynilass on the platform. Looking forward to seeing you there — because, you know…commitment to others.