There are lots of things one can do when preparing for NaNoWriMo. During October, writers everywhere get busy plotting, world building, getting to know their characters, and preparing their books as much as possible before the craziness begins in November. But if there’s one thing I don’t seen people talk about very often when they discuss NaNoWriMo preparations is preparing your writing time. And to me this is one of the most important things you can do.
Making sure you have time to write is key to NaNoWriMo success. If you don’t have time in the day to write, then you’re never going to hit your daily word count. It’s a fact. But there may be more times in a day to write than you might originally think. Take a look at what you do in day. Are there times you’re not busy in or that you can repurpose from another activity? Is there a time that you can make your regular writing time for the month? If you can’t make a big block of time available, try finding several short blocks of time for writing sessions.
In an ideal world, your writing time would be during your most productive time of day. Realistically though, that’s not always going to happen. My most productive time of day is midmorning, but I rarely have time to write before the evening. Work with whatever time you have available. And be prepared to make sacrifices to find that writing time. You may need to give up time for reading, watching TV, or even get up a little earlier if that’s what it takes.
Don’t discount those odd five or ten minutes you might find during your day either. It might not be long enough to get very many words written, but any words you get written are words you don’t’ have to write later. Write on your phone while on the train, or waiting at an appointment. Write something while the dinner’s cooking. Even if you can’t find a big block of free time during the day, making the most of what time you have will help you get well on your way to victory.
NaNoWriMo is a tough month. It requires sacrifice and hard work. But it is so worth it at the end when you’re staring at that book you wrote. Be prepared to write at odd times, and work out where you can make time for writing now so that when November rolls around, you’ll be ahead of the game and ready to rock that word count.
What time do you like to write in? What’s the oddest place you’ve ever written in? Any tips to finding time to write in?
Unfortunately(?) I live in a tropical island, which means mid-mornings are the friggin' hottest part of the day! It really drains your energy and most of the day, I'm too lazy to do anything but bathe in cold water. As a result, night times are the most productive time for me .... if I didn't have to wake up so early the next day!
ReplyDeleteI think the strangest place I've ever written in was in a cafe. They didn't have any paper, and I had to quickly write some ideas down, so I wrote notes on a piece of tissue >.<
And I suck at finding time to write, so I'm probably not the best person to ask ... but I often have this sudden inspiration or urge to write, and those are the moments I find it best to sit down and type away. Don't make writing an obligation, I think! It's important for me to keep it fun.
Oh I can see that time of day would be terrible to write in. I know that when it's hot here, I find it very difficult to write myself. I'm guess it would get pretty muggy where you are.
DeleteOoh, that was a good idea. I've never had to write on napkins or tissues. I've never written in a cafe either. Some writers make it a habit to go there and write their novels. I wonder how they manage with people able to stare at them while they work.
That's a very good point. Keeping writing fun is so important, otherwise it's so easy to get discouraged and demotivated and then it doesn't come out right anyway.
Thanks for stopping by Amanda! I really enjoyed reading your comment.
I'm already working on my NaNoWriMo novel since I'm doing 100 for 100 with Go Teen Writers too but since I'm going for 70K for the book I'm sure they'll be lots of room for 50K in November. The blocks idea is a good one. I mostly write at night but writing a bit in the day may help me. Thanks for the tips!
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I'm sure there will be plenty of room for that 50k in November. Starting early, you would have the advantage of already knowing a lot about your book and being able to dive in easily. That would definitely make NaNo a bit easier. Good luck with it!
DeleteI end up getting up really early in the morning to write and then go back to bed for a little bit before getting on with my day. Then I write again right before bed. They're the only times I've got free!
ReplyDeleteI admire your dedication Kat. I've never been able to manage to write early in the morning. What time do you have to get up to be able to fit your writing in?
Delete<3 that you just posted about NaNoWriMo!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard about it I couldn't find any bloggers doing it!
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Thanks for stopping by Jordy. I think a lot of bloggers are starting to think more about NaNoWriMo in these last couple of weeks leading up to it. It's fun seeing who else is going to be taking the challenge, isn't it? I love the fact that I'm posting about NaNo and being able to connect with other writers on my blog. Are you going to post about NaNo on your blog at all? I'd love to hear about what you're writing.
DeleteI love NaNo posts! Hmm...the oddest place I've written in? The car on the way to a Taylor Swift concert...I wasn't driving, obviously. I'm a night owl so I prefer to write at night, usually I write off and on during the day but my favorite time to write is between 10pm and 3am. =)
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a true night owl. I can barely stay awake until 12, let alone write that late! Cars are good places for writing in, aren't they? I've done a lot of editing in cars on the way to various things. The problem is my sisters keep looking over my shoulder while I work. Does that ever happen to you?
DeleteI don't even know when my best writing time is anymore! It used to be night...then it moved to morning. I'm most UN-motivated after lunch though, that's for sure...ha! I just want to nap. >.> I've never really written in weird locations! I used to write on the floor instead of my desk because inspiration struck and I just had to sit down and write then and there. XD
ReplyDeleteI wonder if anyone is motivated after lunch? I'm certainly not. I have to take an hour to do easy stuff because my brain refuses to function. Inspiration waits for no writer, right? She loves to strike at the odd times.
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