This week: Don’t be scared - it’s only NaNo! Edited by: Lilli 🧿 ☕  
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National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short (NaNo for even shorter), is the challenge to write a 50,000 word novel over the course of a month, specifically the month of November. As you can imagine, it’s an incredibly difficult task but with the right tools, a lot of patience and determination, and some support, it is possible. |
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Not every strategy or tip is going to work for everyone so feel free to modify these ideas to suit your specific needs. Here are some things I keep in my “NaNo Survival Kit”.
 A Calendar
Keeping track of word goals can be difficult. Before NaNo begins, I determine how many days of the month I can dedicate to writing. November has thirty days; twenty-two of which are weekdays. Because of my family life, I know it’s very difficult for me to get any writing done on the weekends. So, I divide the 50,000 words by 22 - I need to write 2272 words per day. I write that number on each weekday of my calendar. At the end of each writing day, I jot down the number I actually wrote. Some days I write a lot more, some days are less. What matters is what you end up with at the end of the month so don’t get discouraged if you miss the mark some days.
Notebook & Pens
Even if you’re going to be using a computer to write, I still suggest keeping a notebook and a pen near you. You can use this notebook to scribble down ideas, keep a list of possible names (for when a new character unexpectedly jumps into the story), or to doodle settings and characters. If you’re mostly doodling, you may even want to keep a small sketchbook or use a notebook that has a combination of lined and blank pages. You could also keep a bullet journal. Furthermore, let’s not underestimate the power of using your favorite colors of ink!
Snack & Drinks
NaNo starts the day after Halloween! Coincidence? I think not! There’s a good chance you are going to have some of that candy lying around the house! Don’t be afraid to treat yourself for meeting a writing goal!
Naturally, I can’t stress the importance of having healthy snacks on hand, too. Something that is easy to munch on while you’re writing - like carrot or celery sticks, fruits, etc.
Remember to stay hydrated! Do you have a favorite water cup? Well, find one and keep it full of water and right beside you. I have a tumbler right beside my coffee mug!
Music
Having music to get you into the mood for writing and help block distracting noises while you work could greatly affect your productivity for the better. Plus you can find all sorts of different music styles on Youtube that will fit your novel or writing style.
Some people even compose playlists that are specific to their novels which sounds like a tremendously fun idea!
Clothes
Wear something comfortable! But, not so comfy that your brain thinks it’s bedtime. An old neighbor friend once told me that when she knows she has a lot of things to accomplish for the day, she gets dressed and puts on a pair of sneakers. She said that tying a pair of shoes meant business and that it put her in the “I’ve got a job to do” state of mind.
Writing Friends
A writing friend is great to have when you run into a plot problem or one of your characters is acting out. Talking through problems is a great way to come up with solutions to them.
The listener doesn’t need to understand what you’re saying, it doesn’t even need to be human. If you have a pet that can stay in one place long enough for you to talk about your problems to it, then you have a perfect companion.
More important than all of this is to remember to be kind to yourself! Some days you will meet your goal, some days exceed it! And there may be days that you fall short. Just pull yourself together and keep writing! It's not a scary process and YOU CAN DO IT!
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Weird Tales and Twisted Tales winner. A boy and girl unknowingly overthrow a tyrant.
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Horror/Scary: November 03, 2021 Issue [#11031]
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