Nanowrimo (November) and Camp Nanowrimo (April) are awesome initiatives for writers, and those starting out on their writing journey.
They support you and encourage you to write 50000 words, all of your very own.
Why? Just because you can! How cool is that?
You can support their good causes or take advantage of some awesome offers, especially if you win i.e. beat your own deadline of up to 50000 words.
The best thing about it, is that you prove to yourself that you can write a novel if you put your mind to it.
JOIN IN and start writing. In case you start to struggle or get bogged down I wanted to share my tips on how to really feel like a writer! Ha, as all writers know, and all budding writers should know, procrastination is the best part!
So here’s my ten things to do to avoid writing, I’d love to hear from you on how you avoid the draw of the pen / keyboard.
1 – Make coffee – lots of coffee
You may need to get up at ‘sparrow’s fart’ in the morning, or stay up until you need to prop up your own eyelids with matches, so the more coffee you stock up on this month, the better. Sorry herbal tea just won’t do, save that for next month’s yoga retreat.
2 – Book next month’s yoga retreat
Yes you deserve a break. You nearly wrote a book! Yes you! If yoga isn’t your thing check out a fancy hotel and treat yourself to a night with room service.
3 – Have a lie in
Even if you don’t go on your break, you’ve been up early and late so have a PJ day, or at least a PJ half day. Only problem is you need to avoid sleep altogether the next day to make up your word count. It could be worth it.
4 – Read a book
Yes read a book. You are writing one so enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labour and read one instead. NO self pity is allowed so even if this reading makes you realise your own book is a pile of pants, at least it’s your pile of pants so don’t stress.
5 – Go online shopping
You could buy a new pen, or notepad if that makes you feel less guilty. You can’t write a book without a new pen now can you?
6 – Edit your current work
Now this could seem like writing but it really isn’t. Trawling the thesaurus to find the best replacement for that really annoying word in the first sentence. Working your way through all the names of your old class mates so you can give you villain the perfect one. It’s just not what Nano is all about. You need to get your word count up, so editing is not a task for this month people.
7 – Clean the house
Now I have to admit this wouldn’t be on my list at all but I know some of you out there actually enjoy this type of thing. So if it’s what floats your boat then get your vacuum cleaner out, your bottle of bleach and rubber gloves and get cracking.
8 – Skype / call someone
Now this is a great one, you can keep on your headphones so it looks like you’re working. You are still at your computer or tablet, and if any asks you can say it’s research.
9 – Plan your next book
Sadly whilst you are engrossed in one tale another is bound to pop into your head and it will not leave. Now if one is about a mass murdering zombie and the other a 19th century romance they may not weld together into a seamless piece. So you may need to make some quick notes before you move on with your Nano project.
10 – Research
For those new to writing this means trawling the internet for pictures of cats, videos of animals doing funny things or looking at what is bang on trend for next season. Basically looking at anything unrelated to your book.
So, now put this list on the wall or somewhere you can see it throughout your Nano writing.
You do not have time to do any of these.
WRITE WRITE WRITE…this list is your reward in waiting.
If you’d like to start writing and need a bit of guidance, tuition or just a bit of a kick start check out my ‘No More Excuses – Online Kickstart Programme For New Writers.’
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