How to survive NaNoWriMo...

...otherwise know as National Novel Writing Month.
For those who don't know, NaNoWriMo is a challenge for you to write 50,000 words (different ones, obviously) in one month.

I'm not actually doing it this month (I have exams) but seeing as it starts in a few days (1st of November) I figured I would give you some tips on how to survive, and hopefully emerge victorious.

1) Have a plan
If you don't know at least the basics, like how you'll begin, the middle, and how it ends, how can you hope to win? Even if you are a pantser, make sure you at least have a brief outline prepared.

2) Set aside time to write
In order to complete the challenge, you'll need to write about 1,667 words a day. Maybe you find that easy, maybe you don't, but the whole challenge will feel a lot more accomplishable (ok, not a word...) if you put aside time to write every day rather than stealing the occasional five minutes. You must commit!

3) Don't give in to those inner thoughts!
You know the ones I mean. That little voice in your head that tells you it's rubbish, you're not good enough, you'll never complete it. Ignore them. Banish them from your mind. Because if you really motivate yourself, you can do it. You will feel, at times, like there's no point continuing. But there will be other days when you feel on top of the world and that everyone should bow down to your awesomeness. Embrace those days, and ignore the others. Even if it isn't the greatest writing in the world, you can always edit it later. Your goal is word count, not beautifully flowing descriptions.
Don't give up!


Remember, NaNoWriMo isn't just about 50,000 words. It can improve your writing in other ways too. When I did it in August, I didn't reach 50,000 words. But I completed the longest novel I'd ever written in the shortest amount of time it had ever taken me, and my writing skills greatly improved. Since then, I have been able to write much more in far less time, and I've found it easier to get the words out in the way I wanted. NaNoWriMo has other benefits, so don't worry if you don't quite hit 50,000.

Good luck!