It’s November 14th and if you’re taking this year’s NaNoWriMo challenge, guess what?
You’re heading in the homestretch. The end is in sight. YAY!
What a minute you say, I started out strong, I’ve been writing every day but I don’t think I can make it until November 30th. HELP!
I felt the same way the first time I took the challenge so here are four ideas I have to help you make it across the finish line.
Take a break
Sometimes when you want to quit, it’s the exact same time you feel you can’t or you’ll quit forever. Don’t quit just give yourself permission to take a break. Go for a walk…one of my favorite things to stir the muse. Go watch something fun. Call a friend. Bake a cake. Do anything that takes you away from your story and the panic about not finishing it.
Read Something
Sometimes when I’m looking at the blank screen, I opt to read for say ten or fifteen minutes. You’d be surprised how reading someone else’s prose kicks your own creative butt into work mode.
Write Something Different
This is one of my favorite tips because it’s worked for me over and over again, and not just during NaNoWriMo. Start a new story, write some flash fiction, journal. The key is it should be something new. It’s a bit like the saying absence makes the heart grow fonder. Stay away from your story for a bit and you’ll be yearning to go back to it. This time with a whole new appreciation.
Visualize the Finish Line
Sit and think about what the finished story looks like. How you’ll feel when you type the end or hit the full stop key after you’ve typed the very last word. Think how proud you’ll be to have written a book in 30 days. Believe me when I say lots of people say they’re going to write a book but few actually do. You’re going to be in the winner’s circle so let’s finish strong.