National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)
If you’re not a writer, you might not know that November is National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo for short. It is a month where writers attempt to pen 50,000 words (a widely-accepted length for a short novel). There are thousands of people who participate every year across the globe. If you’d like to find out more information about NaNoWriMo, check out the official website: http://www.nanowrimo.org
This will be my third time participating and hopefully my first year “winning”, which is what it is called when you successfully complete the 50K word challenge. My first and second year I worked on an existing manuscript that I’ve been working on for 10+ years. Last year I was also a new mom. My son was one month old at the start of NaNoWriMo 2020 and most nights I ended up holding him in one arm and typing with the other. I was proud of my 20K words last year, but I’m positive that 2021 is my year to hit 50K.
Balancing Work/Life/Play/Write
My personal goal is always to write a little every day of the month regardless of word count. For the past several years, November has been the only month out of the entire year that I’ve dedicated to writing. It’s difficult for me to balance writing with everything else I do, so I sacrifice one month a year to dedicate to it. I am hopeful that I can maintain some of this momentum moving forward and better organize my time to allow for writing after NaNo ends.
As you know, I’m an avid reader, reviewer, blogger, and bookstagrammer. NaNo means that reading gets put on the back burner for a month. I don’t stop entirely, but all my late night reading sessions have become late night writing sessions. I usually read around 10 books a month. This month it’s looking like it will be about half that, most of which are thanks to audiobooks.
I’m still on track to hit my Goodreads goal of 100 books read this year (which is less than 10 books/month because I plan for NaNo, reading slumps, etc.). It leaves me wondering if I should lower my reading goal to 50 next year and focus more on writing.
I’m not obsessed with hitting my reading goal, but I usually take on several review reads a month and that is what would take a hit. I already feel like I don’t get to read as many books for pleasure as I’d like to, but I love the work that I do to support Indie authors, especially considering I could be one someday.
Additionally, if publishing becomes a possibility for me (either indie or traditional), I’d have to put some serious work into my author branding: separate social media, website, Goodreads/Amazon/BookBub profiles, etc.
It’s all starting to seem a little daunting when I think of balancing all that on top of my full time job and being a wife/mother. If anyone has recommendations for a super writer/blogger planner please send them my way!
My WIP
This year, I decided to work on something completely new for NaNo. My WIP (work in progress) is tentatively titled Hello, Angel. The story is an Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance that features a young woman who’s guardian angel turns out to be a demon. A sexy demon obviously. Clearly, I haven’t put any thought into my pitch, but I’m still trying to figure out where the story is going.
Advice
My advice to anyone doing NaNoWriMo is to take it day by day. Remember that 50,000 is an arbitrary number. If it doesn’t align with your goals, set a different goal. Aim to write a little every day, plot out that new story idea, or just take a month to wrap your brain around the publishing industry.
I cannot stress how important it is to find a community. The NaNoWriMo website is great for connecting local writers. You can search for your home region and join in on daily discussions and virtual or in-person writing events. There is also a friend feature, so you can keep up with others on NaNo and cheer on their progress.
Put out feelers on social media. I have a great group of writing friends that I met on Instagram and nothing compares to the support that I receive from them.
Search and use hashtags like #AmWriting and #CurrentlyWriting to find others like you.
Most importantly, remember that NaNoWriMo is supposed to be a fun way to push yourself. Enjoy the challenge, but don’t stress about it. Everyone writes at different speeds and not all stories can be rushed into one month. First drafts are always garbage, but that’s what editing is for!
Are you writing this month? Comment below and tell me about your WIP!
Let’s connect on social media too!
I am writing this month, but I did not really expect to be, given how much I’ve written the rest of the year! (Drafted from beginning to completion a 100k standalone companion, among other projects). Interesting, for some reason, I decided to take up another Work-In-Progress last week, and I am 25k in. Will I finish it this month? Who knows. I might quit writing it tomorrow and shelve it for six months or even a year! I expect it to be about 80k in its final form, though.
I need a “Marketing Month.” I write like I breathe. I’m terrible at marketing, and not much better at getting my novels truly ready to publish. I’m terrible at the copy-editing, formatting, cover creation, preorder, launch, and market some more phases of it.
I came across a book publishing planner that I might buy when I’ve reached that point. I wish I could write like I breathe, but it’s usually a lot of work for me to pull words out of my brain. Best of luck to you!
I love that you are writing !!! <3 <3 I just know that fantastic fantasy novel is in your soul just waiting to be written (or finished). I am not writing a book but I don't know if I could. I picture myself sitting at a typewriter with a blank piece of paper in it, gathering dust. LOL
Maybe in your retirement you’ll find a story you want to tell