It’s time for NaNoWriMo prep and on the eve of the NaNoWriMo, I feel all keyed up with excitement. I am also a bit nervous about the next thirty days because I am committing myself, starting November 1, to writing at least 50,000 words of original content by November 30. That translates to an average of 1666 words a day. No weekends off. Or approximately 1924 words a day if I take Sundays off.
Okay, I could go on and on like that, but like my Mom would say, finish that daily quota.
But rather than think of it that way, I am trying a make a framework for what I’ll be writing during the next thirty days. To begin with, I’ve gifted myself a nice notebook and a bunch of pens so I can write down any gems that occur to me. I love it how ideas overflow when I enjoy what I am doing – and I am very sure I am going to win the NaNoWriMo challenge. It is going to be great fun.
How is my NaNoWriMo prep going? I must plan because I will also have both my regular jobs to share my time with. For a start, I am planning to practice what I preach and follow some of those health tips. Here’s what I plan to do.
My NaNoWriMo Prep
- Get to bed at a reasonable time every day. These days I tend to stay up late to finish up work
- Wake up early, so I can begin the day with a fresh few pages. I wake up at 6 am every day, but now I’ll make that earlier
- Spend less time online. Email is a time-killer. I am going to filter out important mail and read those first. Everything else comes second.
- Manage my time by the hour, so that I can get everything done as planned
- Make a priority list with more gusto every day. I already do this. But now, I’ll be more serious with the additional writing I plan to do.
- Eat healthily. Which means I’ll shop healthy. This means I’ll make a weekly shopping list instead of socializing at the supermarket
- Plan meals for the week. Easier to shop too.
- Meditate. Or at any rate, sit quietly with a blank mind for fifteen minutes every day. Lots of other benefits there, too
I will keep adding to that list. The best part is, November will probably change my life in a significant way as far as discipline is concerned, so I’ll certainly benefit in more ways than one.
What am I planning to write? Some friends asked me what my novel is going to be about. I thought about it, and realized that I really don’t have a storyline ready. Well, I do, but I am not sure I can build on it properly because I have not spent any time on it the last few days. So I decided I would be a REBEL and write non-fiction.
I am considering three options to meet the 50,000 words for NaNoWriMo, which is the word count to meet the challenge successfully.
- 5 e-books of ten thousand words each
- Blog posts – how-to/tutorial/101/guide type
- Content for a site – 100 pages x 500 words a page
Or a portion of each. Could be a little ambitious, since I’ll also have to factor in regular client work.
Sometimes, crazy goals work better than regular ones. Or may it is because I can’t bear to turn away from a challenge. Add to it the time constraint – and it is all so exciting!
I’ll also try to maintain a NaNoWriMo diary so I can log my progress and learn from it.
Have you signed up for #nanowrimo?
What do you plan to write? How are you planning your NaNoWriMo prep?
Got tips? Please share!
If you feel like it, get your pom-poms and cheer me on! I would really appreciate it.
14 comments
Hello fellow NaNo buddy! Your list is awesome! I need to take notes from you! I am not near as organized. I do have a bit of an outline, but haven’t thought much about being more disciplined about my schedule (and I should!). So happy to be taking this journey with you. Let’s have some fun, shall we? !!
Go for it Vidya!
You can do it. I wrote my 40,000 of my 63,000 word manuscript in a 5 days~! Don’t edit – just write. You can go back later and finesse your writing. Can’t wait to hear how you do.
All my best,
Angela
Terri, it feels so much better for me to have a fellow buddy. Yes, let’s have some fun! What I’ve written here is affirmation 😀 I gotta put it all into practice, but am happy to say I am on my way. Let’s do it, together! I’d love to compare notes!
–Vidya,
So Proud of you!
My only tip is to just “Write.” …the words will flow…
Xxxx
Thanks, Angela! I think I’ll find the writing without editing a little difficult. Some habits are hard to break…but I will! I am grateful for your support!
Vidya, Cool, Welcome to the party.. I participated last year but I am not able to make it finally.. But this time I am sure I will do it.. I wish you all the best to complete the task of 50,000 words successfully.. Enjoy writing..
Someone is Special
My first thought on reading you was envy. You are out to do what I felt I couldn’t do,when i learned of the novel-writing month some years back. What I did instead was write an article on it – Wordage: 896.
You must have already done a day’s quota of words by this time. All the best for the rest of the 29 days.
Appreciate your list of do’s. In your blog post this time next month I would be looking for add-ons to your list if eight do’s.
Thanks Saravana. Are you writing fiction? Wait, let me add you on Twitter for some faster interaction! 🙂
By the way, I love the look of your blog.
Kim, thanks! Your words mean a lot to me. Lovely tip 😀 The word’s engraved on my brain. I need all the push I can get!
GVK, what a privilege indeed to have you visit. 🙂 I read your article and loved it. And yes, I am going to be posting about my progress often, because the first week will involve a lot of learning (read: stumbling).
And yes, I’ve finished more than my word-quota today. 🙂 Keeping my digits crossed to continue the trend.
Well.. I am.. and glad you like the look of my blog.. twitter id: @fewmiles..
Someone is Special
Thanks, Saravana – already following you on Twitter. I got the id from your blog 😀
I didn’t see this post when I was here yesterday!! I’m very excited to start this, too! have you seen the Matt Cutts video that I posted on my fb page and my blog (I think you have) about do something for 30 days? Now I need to go the link the NaNo link.
Thanks Vidya!
@Betsy, yes, I saw the video. 🙂 and with each hour, I think there’s no reason not to achieve what we set out to, when there’s so much motivation around. Thanks for visiting.