So, did you think it was going to be easy? I expect by now you’ve had time to sit down at your keyboard and type out a few lines. Go-getters are already 10,000 words into this. Many others have made it to 2000 words. Others are self-flagellating and wondering why it is so hard to reach even 200 words!

Welcome to NaNoWriMo! This is a place where the veils all come off. If you thought being a writer would be easy, you may already be seeing some of the problems involved, and why that word, determination, is so important! I won’t insult ditch diggers by saying writing is hard work, but I will say it is very challenging!

If you’re already confused about where your novel is going, whether it is any good, or if you’ve got any chance at all to finish, please review yesterday’s post about things to do to prepare for NaNoWriMo and also, take a look at this: Get Ready for NaNoWriMo. You might get some cool ideas that will help you write a little bit more, with direction and enthusiasm!

When the veils of illusion are removed you can see exactly what needs to be improved regarding your approach to this writing project. Perhaps by now you realize that you need a smidgen of a plot. You could do what I did - I sat down and wrote a paragraph for each of the next ten chapters. Next I discussed this with my very imaginative significant other. He came up with some good ideas for me, and nixed some of my ideas as “too controversial.” What came out of this brainstorming session was a clear idea of where the plot is going, and how to enhance it in ways that may eventually make some movie producer sit up and take note. (Or even better, take contract in hand!)

Another thing you might be noticing is that keeping up the momentum of writing isn’t easy for all of us. Some of us write in spurts and need frequent breaks. If you find your mental energy lagging, get up, walk around, refill your coffee mug, and if possible, get some exercise.

Are you already feeling like quitting? You might get a lot of mileage from the Word Wars, Prompts, and Sprints section of the NaNoWriMo forum. Usually I leave that section of the site for later in the project, around 30,000 words, when I’m really dragging… but many of you might appreciate word wars earlier in the game. If you’re having any trouble getting started or keeping up, please try this. I really truly hate to see people quit, and this is something that really helps.

Okay, enough for today. I’m sure by tomorrow I’ll be inspired with more to write about, but for now, we’re all anxious to get back to our novels to write, write, write. Right?

LindaJM’s NaNoWriMo Profile
NaNoWriMo Notations
Get Ready for NaNoWriMo (if you haven’t already)