Gearing Up for NaNoWriMo

So NaNoWriMo is about to begin this weekend and I will be participating again this year. Honestly I really do love the challenge even though halfway through the month I usually regret my decision. However if you are like me and you are gearing up for a month of non stop writing then you might enjoy this past post of mine!

 

So lately I've been having a little trouble thinking of things to write. I cannot tell you how many minutes have passed me by while I stare at the blank page or blank screen. It is so frustrating to know that you SHOULD be writing but there is just nothing that wants to be written. I always feel so guilty if I close the laptop or the journal without writing anything down or meeting my word count for the day. Writers Write!!! They do not give up! 

So I decided that I would put together a post of things that I do in order to get back to writing again! 

1) Get Musical. Find a playlist or spend some time creating one. I like to find classical styles normally for more intense or thoughtful scenes and songs with lyrics that I really like for scenes with more dialogue. Either way music can really help get the ideas flowing! 

My Favorites: 

Lindsey Sterling

Apocolyptica

Halestorm

The Piano Guys

2) Go for a Walk. Sometimes you just have to get out of the house and get some outside stimuli. It helps me clear my head and start to let my mind wander away from all the other things that I am worried about and before I know it I am daydreaming. Daydreaming always helps me come up with new ideas!

3) Check out Pinterest "Writing Prompts". There are so many prompts for both blogs and just writing in general! Sometimes you just have to write something different from your current project to shake things up a bit!

4) Read!  I believe the only way to be a good writer is to be a good reader! So pick up a book, something that you enjoy, something that made you want to write in the first place! Books inspire great thoughts, let them inspire you!

I tend to gravitate toward books about writing when I am having a case of writer's block. My favorites are these: 

Stephen King's---- On Writing

I love this book. Part Memoir and part Writer's Tool box, it really helps me get focused on my work. I love Stephen King's honesty in this book. His approach to writing resonates with me and I am always returning to this book for good advice! Also I love hearing about how he struggled before he became famous, helps remind me that it never comes easy, only with hard work! Also I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook version of this. Stephen King narrates it himself and it is truly brilliant to hear live!

Barbara Demarco- Barret's----- Pen on Fire

I got this book a LONG time ago when I thought I was too busy for writing and wanted to find ways to fit it into my schedule. Little did I know that I had NO CLUE as to what having no time was like! Now that I am a Mom and a Wife, I realize what it is like when you are trying to meet word counts and still maintain the balance of daily life. This book has some really great tips and tricks for fitting writing into your daily life without feeling guilty! (Mommy guilt...ugh)

5) Free Writing. I know you have heard this before, but it really does help. Sometimes all you need to get started is to just start typing or writing. It doesn't matter what you are writing about. It could be the weather, the items on your desk, how frustrated you are that you can't seem to write anything....just write! Even if you don't get anything brilliant written, you still "exercised"  your writing ability and the next time it will come easier and you will break through your block! 

I hope these tips were helpful to you! Happy Writing Everyone!

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Camp NaNoWriMo: Tips

Good Morning Everyone, 

So I've done NaNoWriMo a couple times. I've only missed my goal one time and that was the first time when I let the idea of 50,000 words get to my head. I just didn't think that was even possible. However I've since done it multiple times with great success and this year I thought I would take the plunge and do Camp NaNo this year. It's going pretty well and I thought I would share with you my five tips for NaNo success! 

1. No editing- Seriously. Just write. Don't worry about spelling or grammar. Just write and write and write. 

2. Go slow- You might think that going full throttle at the beginning is going to give you a nice head start and put you in a good place toward the middle of the month with the slump hits. However this is a really good way to burn yourself out. Take your time. 

3. Time- Find the time that works for you and commit to writing during that time. I usually write in the early mornings before Kyra is up or if she had a bad night and I don't get my morning time I write late at night. Either way, when I sit down to write I am there for writing and nothing else. 

4. Jump Around- You do not have to go in a linear pattern. I usually begin with a scene that started in my head. It might be in the middle. It might be the ending. It might just be some random scene that will take place a quarter through the book. Just write what you are feeling and don't worry about the order. NaNo is not the time for edits remember! 

5. Be Equipped- Carry around notebooks, note pads, pens, etc. Use these items to help you get to word count by being observant and having them ready for when an idea strikes and you are nowhere near your computer! This has helped me SO MANY TIMES. 

So there you have my top 5 tips. There are tons more out there and I hope these help you if you decide to embark on this journey. Still you must remember that these are just tips and you need to do you! Just Write!

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