Incorporate Writing Sprints.
Writing a book in any amount of time is a marathon--but trying to get it done in 30 days? It’s an accomplishment that requires discipline, willpower, motivation, and a wicked ability to avoid procrastination (a common pitfall amongst the writer species!).
If you’re like the majority of NaNoWriMo participants, you won’t have 30 blissfully empty days ahead on the calendar either.
Which means you’ll want to make the most of even the shortest time frames you have to write. Writing sprints are a great way to do this.
Here’s how:
Set a phone or a kitchen timer for 5, 10 or 15 minutes.
Write as fast as you can until the timer goes off.
Don’t worry about mistakes, just keep going at top speed. (Check out our blog post about using placeholders to write even faster). The goal is to stay super focused on your task, which is why shorter sprints are most effective. It’s not likely you could avoid distraction for a full hour, but doing four 15-minute sprints can result in that higher word count you’re looking for!
Remember: while that clock is ticking, writing is your only task. You can use the bathroom, grab a snack, refill your water, and check your text messages ONLY after the timer goes off.
Give it a try, and see that word count climb!
Emily Nakeff
This writing tip is part of a series of writing tips, tricks, and advice during the month of November as we celebrate National Novel Writing Month. Join Essa Public Library and five other libraries across Simcoe County as we offer a variety of programs and events to help writers complete their novel. Participating libraries are also offering space for writers to work, free wifi, writing resources, and more.
Attend an online or in-person event or drop by a Simcoe NaNoWriMo location and enter for your chance to win a Writer's Basket full of writing goodies. Participating libraries include: Barrie, Essa, Innisfil IdeaLAB and Library, New Tecumseth, Tay, and Clearview.
For a full listing of programs and events during National Novel Writing Month, visit the Essa Public Library's online event calendar.
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