As you're trying to write 50,000 words this November as part of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), you might appreciate these tips...
I have found that you should...
Plan and plot. Ideally you started this before November 1. But, if not, sketch out, even in one-sentence form (I'm using index cards on my ipad), which scene you’re writing every day and what needs to happen in that scene. You could do this each Sunday for the coming week, so you know where you’re headed and don’t have to slow down to figure it out.
Write every day. When you can, keep going past 1,667 words. But when you just can’t write or just can’t write all 1,667 words, give yourself a break and know it’s okay. Just try to get caught up at the end of each week so you don’t feel behind as the new week begins.
Don’t edit. That’s what December’s for! Seriously, try not to even let yourself go back and read what you’ve written. Do whatever you need to suppress the internal editor—the one who insists you go back and take out all those examples of “just” “so” and “very.”
Save research for later. Want to write fast? Don’t let yourself get bogged down in research and fact-checking. Make yourself a [bracketed note] to check the facts later, but otherwise keep writing. For now, it doesn’t matter. Move on.
Peer pressure. Use social media networks to keep you honest and on task.
Word tricks. Always avoid contractions and hyphens, spell out words and acronyms. Those couple extra words could make the difference for you!
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