Judging by my Blogging Tips From A Newbie To A Newbie, you guys might have figured out that I like giving advice about things I know zilch about. Today's post is no exception. So, I've been hearing a lot of talk about fellow bloggers starting NaNoWriMo next month, and I couldn't be more excited for you guys, so I decided to make a post about it..
Even though I'm not participating.
For those of you who don't know, NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month, where writers from all over the world gather to participate in a 30-day writing challenge in order to finish their book (or 50K words). It's pretty awesome, and having people around you with the same goal will certainly motivate you, but we all know procrastination might be your enemy.
Well, I'm here to help. I don't have that much (if any) knowledge about writing, but I sure as hell know about procrastination. Here are some of the thoughts that might stop you from finishing your masterpiece of a novel:
1. Your mind is tired today. Wait until next morning when it's fresh.
That's absolute bullshit. Some of the best posts and pages I've written were done when my brain was tired. Even though it's not 100% proven correct, here's an article that suggests a tired brain is more creative.
2. You just don't feel inspired, and if you write now, it will probably suck.
Wrong. Again, there's no way to tell if you are inspired unless you really start writing. And yes, sometimes while writing, you'll realize this is not your best, but you can always come back and fix things later. The important thing is having something to fix in the first place. Go write, son.
3. You just had a better idea of a book. Time to switch over!
Holaholaholahold UP! Think things through. Do you really want to start from scratch? I mean, don't get me wrong, I've rewritten and reversed my book several times, and it turned out for the best, but there is always a chance that this is the defeated part of your mind speaking. If the reason you're contemplating abandoning a book is because you've reached a dead end, I'd suggest maybe writing something else related to your original story. A scene from another POV. A background story. A character sketch. A scene somewhere farther in the story. Or a dialogue between two characters who are never meant to meet each other.
Go nuts.
If it all doesn't work, and you're convinced that this idea you have is better, go for it.
4. What's the point of writing anyway? It'll never get published.
50 Shades of Grey is a New York Times bestseller. Anything can happen.
Also, try sending pieces of your finished MS to friends and family. One you get the feedback, you'll realize this is not just about getting published. Just the idea of someone getting into that piece of your mind, and reading the book is enough.
Have faith in your book.
5. I have no dancing penguins to entertain me.
Get dancing penguins to entertain you.
And for some tips to help you finish your novel within a month:
1. Use distractions to your advantage.
And trust me, there will be distractions. Like a movie you want to see or a book or whatever else it is. Solution: set a word goal you have to finish before returning back to such distractions.
2. Disable the internet.
Dear struggling author: Internet is not your friend. Get rid of the vermin.
There are extensions for Chrome such as Stay Focused that can block certain sites for a certain amount of time.
3. Get Scrivener.
Aliaa @Madmoseille Le Sphinx first recommended this writing software for me, and good God, it's helpful! It's made for novelists. It will understand your needs.
The best feature about it is the word target, in which you set a certain number of words you need to finish every session. If you're doing NaNoWriMo, and intend to finish the preset goal of 50K, that leaves you with 1,600 per day. It's a piece of cake, once you get used to it.
4. Reward Your Self.
Every time you finish 10K, buy a book. Or food. Food is good.
5. Be Awesome.
You probably already know how to do that.
“10 Steps to Becoming a Better Writer
Write.
Write more.
Write even more.
Write even more than that.
Write when you don’t want to.
Write when you do.
Write when you have something to say.
Write when you don’t.
Write every day.
Keep writing.”
― Brian Clark =D
I procrastinate a lot...I tend to stay well above the word goal because I know there are going to be days where you couldn't pay me to sit down and write. Okay well you could pay me to I guess, but anything other than money isn't going to get me there. I don't really have an issue with the word count, I just have an issue with being a contradiction. I hate writing, but love telling stories...I'm good at writing but I hate taking the time to do it. It's something I'm working through. Great list and despite my slacker ways it's definitely good advice.
"Your mind is tired today. Wait until next morning when it's fresh."
Oh my god, that is me all the time every day. Suuuuure a mind can be more creative when it's tired, but not when it's REALLY tired. Right? >_> Actually, I've had some of my most inspirational moments during half-sleep, dreams, etc.
Great post -- entertaining, as always~! :)
Thank you for these tips, Reem! They are just what I needed right now :)
1. I come up with the best ideas while I am dead tired. It makes me feel sorry for my un-tired self :(
2. "You just don't feel inspired, and if you write now, it will probably suck." <--- I've been thinking this sooo much lately. But you're right, even if it isn't the best, I can still fix it up! And really, might as well write to get yourself inspired more quickly!
3. I'm still trying to add more 'meat' to my first story idea >_<
4."50 Shades of Grey is a New York Times bestseller. Anything can happen." <--- You got that right! Besides, I'm writing for me, not for anyone else :D
5. I actually do have penguins to entertain me, thank you very much. Sure, they're from an anime, are idiots, and can't dance, but they are very entertaining!
Extras: Yup, food is always good.
Okay. I am not really familiar with NaNoWriMo. Christ, I have to type the word thrice. All the caps in between and the spelling. Sounds like Japanese. Hahahah.
First question: Why aren't you joining, Reem? Why, why, why? This is a very good opportunity to expose the product of your creativity.
Anyway, your tips never fail to make me laugh even if I am not a writer. But still, it can apply to writing blog posts. xD
1. Correct! When your brain is tired, all the crazy but wonderful ideas pour in. I think you're always tired when you're writing all your posts, Reem. Hmmm.
2. It really happens to me, Reem. If I don't have an inspiration to write blog posts, I won't. Wahuhuhuhu. It's like my hands will just cease typing.
3. Agree. There's always a right time to write about you new idea. But for the time being, just concentrate on your work. ahaha
4.You write because you want to do it, you love it. You want to utilize your creative juices. The problem with some authors is that they write because they just want to get published and get the money. Hahaha. The fans and the money should just be a bonus. Hahahah.
5. What the hell are the dancing penguins? If I am writing a post and Happy Feet and Co. is dancing infront of me, I swear I will never get any writing done. Of course, blindfolding myself wouldn't be an option since I have to check what I am writing.
And regarding your tips about finishing the novel in a month...
1. But distractions are always good. But kidding aside, this is really very effective because I do this when I am finishing a deadline for work or if I am chasing a deadline for an ARC. If you've noticed, I am almost always absent in the blogosphere and when I visit and comment on a lot of blogs, I usually do it in one go. I am finishing a lot of things IRL so if I always allow myself to be distracted with a new blog post every hour, I will never finish anything. Hahahah. SO what I do is finish deadlines first then allocate specific days to visit blogs and comment. It's WIN- WIN!
2. I can't do that. The least that I could do minimize my usage. Hahaha.
3. This software is unfamiliar to me.
4. Ahm... What if I say that I am already eating while I am writing my posts?
5. Can you please teach me? :D
That first one is the one of which I personally am most guilty. That linked article is great, and in those times I have forced myself to get on with something, even if I felt my brain was 'tired', good things have come of it. I just need to make sure I do it more often. No more excuses!
I feel that you wrote it for me. :P I had plans to procrastinate but seeing this I've been put in my place. And I am hiring some dancing penguins. They'll be so much fun!! :D