50,000 words in 30 days.
Yes, folks before you gasp in awe: it can be done.
It’s that time of the year for the summer version of Camp NaNoWriMo, and writers are excited to pour all their creative juices into completing this epic feat!
So how do you gear up for National Novel Writing Month?
We, Blvnp ninjas like to keep our carefully thought of secret strategies to ourselves, but for you guys, we will make an exception.
Here is what you need to do:
- Go sign up
I bet there are just a thousand other things to do, but if you really want to be part of this, do it now. Sign up.
- Research
This is not the time to procrastinate. Research on whatever detail you may need when writing your novel, may it be the setting of the novel or the technicalities of the field your character is in. Say he is in the medical field, a neurosurgeon to be exact. It is essential to get yourself acquainted with neurosurgery, the anatomy of the brain, etc. Researching as early as now will help you focus on just finishing your novel, writing the required number of words week by week without the additional burden of the sudden need to research on this and that.
- Pace yourself and stick to that pace
You have to get that game plan on. To be able to get 50,000 words in a month, how much should you write in a week? 12,500 words per week. Yes, you heard that right. You have to put in that number of words within 7 days. Budget your time. Decide on a schedule. By schedule, you should already have taken into consideration just how much time you are allowed to spend on the other things going on in your life. Do not create an impossible schedule. Create one that works for you and stick to it.
- Organize
Declutter all the details floating around in your head. First, decide if you are going for fiction or non-fiction. For fiction, you have to determine the characters and their individual traits and background, create the plot, plan out the conflict and its resolution, and most importantly, decide on an ending. For non-fiction, determine the main topic, the subtopics, hypothetical questions, and a list of references. This would save you so much time and get you nearer to your goal of finishing that 50,000-word manuscript. You will find ideas flowing in faster.
- Eyes on the goal
Always keep this goal in mind: finish 50,000 words in a month, no excuses. Do not overthink this. You have just this one goal. Stick to the writing routine you have made for yourself. There will be times you may get bored or find yourself wanting to do other things—think back on the goal: finish 50,000 words in a month, no excuses. Whenever you feel like stopping or altogether just dropping out, think about why you joined in the first place. Always have this goal in mind and you will succeed.
Now you’re all pumped up for that 30-day mark! You can do this. Put your thinking caps on and start scribbling your way to 50,000 words. Put all that passion to good use. Ready, Set, Go!