The Ultimate Guide to Staying Motivated During NaNoWriMo

During the last week of October, impending doom begins to settle over the writing community.

All right, that’s a bit dramatic. But as November gets closer, those participating in NaNoWriMo start to understand what exactly they signed up for. 50k in a month doesn’t seem that bad, until you actually have to do it.

Writing that much in one month is a big mind game. It’s important that you keep believing in yourself and writing no matter what. You have to keep yourself motivated, because no one else will do it for you.

I’ve done NaNo enough times by now to have compiled a list of Jedi mind tricks that help me write 50k in just 30 days. Ready? Let’s go!

VISIT THE FORUMS AND STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE WRITING COMMUNITY

I’m not the biggest lurker on the NaNo forums, but every time I find myself over there, it’s such an awesome time.

People are inspiring, motivating, and lifting each other up. People you don’t even know will say “you can do it!” without even thinking twice.

It’s amazing how much COMPLETE strangers can believe in you. I think it’s one of the greatest things about the internet.

Surround yourself with people who want to do what you want to do — and then do it together.

GET IN TO THE NANO SPIRIT

Fall is awesome. NaNo is awesome. Break out your go-to sweaters, fuzzy socks, warm blankets, and favorite coffee mugs. Get excited for all this awesomeness.

I have such fond memories of writing with a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate in front of me, cuddling into my favorite sweater, pulling my blanket a little tighter, and just writing. (I also have not so fond memories, but I try not to think of those leading up to the month.) So break out all the comfy and warm things, load up your favorite mug with your favorite hot beverage, and let’s get this party started.

READ THE NANOWRIMO PEP TALK ARCHIVES

These are a gold mine!

Here are some of my favorites:

• John Green is depressing and inspiring all at once? I love it
• Maggie Stiefvater gives very practical advice
• Veronica Roth talks about letting go of your process and just going with the NaNo flow, which is really important to remember when everyone’s going on about being a pantser or plotter and you’re just lost
• Chuck Wendig talks about the beauty of the blank page and the freedom you have to create LITERALLY ANYTHING
• Holly Black gives some great tips.
• Rainbow Rowell talks about how she wrote Fangirl during NaNo, and it’s pretty awesome because I really love Fangirl! And Rainbow Rowell’s books! And Rainbow Rowell’s name!

CHANGE YOUR MINDSET TOWARDS DAILY WRITING

During NaNo, writing becomes a numbers game. (1,667 words a day, baby) NaNo becomes something you need to do everyday. Writing becomes a quantifiable to-do.

But, no.

This is not something you have to do. I mean, you have to write 1,667 words a day to write 50,000 words in a month, but THIS IS SO MUCH BIGGER THAN A DAILY TO-DO.

You’re following your dreams. Writing a whole book. Doing what sets your heart absolutely blazing on fire.

Are you getting excited just thinking about it?

Approach your daily writing with that excitement.

SET UP A SYSTEM OF REWARDS OR PUNISHMENTS

If you need a little external motivation, consider setting up a reward system. Like, you’ll buy yourself a book for each week you stay on target. Or maybe you’ll eat a cupcake after each successful writing session. (Although, that’s a lot of cupcakes.)

Maybe you need a bigger push. In that case, consider ways to punish yourself for not writing. (I don’t think this is the best for your morale, but I’ve heard that it works with some writers.) If you don’t meet your daily or weekly quota, write a check for a political candidate you hate. Maybe try using Write or Die — it starts deleting your words if you don’t type fast enough.

HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE TO EVERYONE

Let everyone in the whole freaking world know that you’re doing NaNo! At best, you’ll get a lot of encouragement, and at worst you’ll fear telling people you aren’t doing so well, which will motivate you.

One of my favorite parts about NaNo is how Thanksgiving and the transition into Christmas happen during November. So, while I’m feeling really festive, I’m also seeing my family a lot. And if you tell your family you’re trying to write a novel, you’ll have to update them during Thanksgiving. *shudders* But really—if anything is going to light a fire under your butt, it’s realizing you may have to tell your grandma that you’ve been slacking in your novel.

WORD SPRINTS

This is how 90% of my novel gets written. Well, not really — but it feels like it!

Word sprints are abundant during NaNo! Sometimes there are live word springs, sometimes there are word sprints on Twitter, and all the time you can make your own word sprints.

Set a time for 10 minutes and forget about everything else except for writing as much as you can. The timed pressure of a writing sprint makes it really easy to let go of everything and only think about writing as fast as you can.

SCHEDULE YOURSELF WRITE-INS

Doesn’t spending the day at Starbucks drinking pumpkin spice lattes and writing your novel sound romantic?

Well, NaNo isn’t romantic. (Doing it so many times has made me bitter) But, you can try to make it lovelier! Schedule yourself days to catch-up with your writing, and make them something that you really look forward to.

GIVE YOURSELF A MASCOT

Maybe this is goofy, but pick a little stuffed animal or trinket (I guess if it’s cute and has a face it works better for this, lol) and make it your NaNo mascot.

Picture it cheering you on and clapping you to the daily 1,667 word finish line. (I said it was silly, okay?)

On the days you aren’t your biggest fan, your mascot will help you out. It feels good to know that you do have a #1 fan, even if it’s a mascot that exists in your imagination.

DON’T LOSE YOUR DETERMINATION

Remember how pumped you were during October?

Remember how pumped you were the very first day?

Remember how determined you were to write this book when you signed up for NaNo? Vividly remember that fierce determination and call upon it whenever you find yourself struggling.

Okay, okay, have you heard me talk enough about NaNo? I’m just so excited! I’m pumped to finish revisions on my current WIP and to put that aside. I’m pumped to draft. I’m pumped about this novel, I’m pumped about Thanksgiving break ( I get a week) and I’m pumped about Christmas. (Okay, too far.) But the leaves are just starting to change where I live, so I’m just feeling so comfy and cozy and ready to write.

Last call for NaNo! Are you in? If you’ve done NaNo before, what are you tips for writing so many words in such a short amount of time? What’s your favorite part of fall? Also: What are you being for Halloween?