Happy Birthday to us and Happy 1st Day of NaNoWriMo! We're big supporters of November and the month of writing. We love how the community of writers bands together to start (or finish) any idea (whether it's a novel or otherwise). Despite the wonderful traditions, the application of NaNoWriMo is flexible and accommodating. If there's one thing this month's global event represents other than writing, it's encouragement. That's the main reason why we love it so much - that and the sheer amount of collective story telling!
So, if you're participating, congratulations! We're so excited to cheer you on and write with you (our co-founder, Katherine Oostman, is participating for the first time this year). If you are not taking part, that's okay! Cheer others on. Get excited! If you love stories, this month is still for you. In fact, They Create is offering a $15 discount to anyone who signs up for a service during the month of November. It's our early Christmas gift to you for loving and creating wonderful stories. All you have to do is use the code NANOWRIMO when you go to checkout.
For those writing this month (especially if you're trying to hit over 1,700 words/day), here are a few tips to keep you going!
Prepare the snacks - All writers need fuel. Have some treats to reward and motivate you, but make sure you're keeping a healthy balance as well to maintain energy. If you're balancing a full-time job or school load and trying to write a novel, it will take a toll on your body. Make sure you're eating protein and vitamins, drinking water, and sleeping! Remember, this is a marathon, not a spring!
Get involved - If it's not the NaNoWriMo forums, follow fellow writers/booklovers on social media. Or meet up with writing friends once a week. Even if you're introverted, it's so helpful to know you're apart of something bigger. Even if you just share your goals so that someone can encourage your and hold you accountable. Knowing someone else wants your story helps you push through when it'd be easier to binge that show on Netflix. Sometimes talking to people helps solve plot problems in unexpected ways. If nothing else, it's good for a mental reset so you hit the notebook or keyboard fresh!
Play the mind game - Identify your weakness. Is it getting distracted? For Katherine, it's thinking about how many different perspectives the story could take. Sometimes she spends so much time thinking about all the possibilities, she doubts the one she's chosen instead of using it to learn more about the story. Once you find the thing that stops you from writing, you can learn ways to bargain with your mind and keep writing for longer!
Guard your writing time - This one is really tough (especially when your friends have something totally cool come up). If you plan writing time, it is writing time. Yes, of course, if you need to move your schedule around, that it okay. But, make sure your writing time is the priority. If it's constantly the item on the docket to be dropped or pushed, you won't give it the effort it deserves. Which means you'll always be frustrated by the output that results. Writing time is you time - time to live your dreams.
Have fun - This one is a cliche because it's true. Writing shouldn't be a chore. Somedays, it will be. But try to keep the reasons your love it at the forefront of your efforts. If you're writing to get a word count or writing to get famous, you'll likely feel dissatisfied. Writing is hard. You must do it because the act of weaving words to create worlds and people and truth is the only way you know how to interpret and interact with the world. The act must be exciting to you. Otherwise, you'll be miserable.
Happy writing to all of you this month. Remember that They Create is cheering you on! We can't wait to read all these drafts come December!
