It is November 30. And that means …
Congratulations, NaNoWriMo participants!
You made it!
Before I go any further, let me set the record straight for anyone not familiar with the term NaNoWriMo.
Here is what it is not.
It is not the ghost of Robin Williams invoking Mork from Ork language.
It is not baby talk for I Don’t Want To.
It is not a term of endearment for a grandmother.
NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, in which thousands of determined writers attempt to bang out 50,000 words in 30 days during the month of November.
To all my writer friends partaking in the challenge this year, I hope you found it to be rewarding. It is no easy task to write that much in one month.
I know from whence I speak since I was a NaNoWriMo participant last year and hit my 50,000 words. It took a lot of time … and a lot of discipline.
But in the process, I realized that you don’t have to hit 50,000 words to be successful. Even 1,000 should count as a success.
If you wrote more in November than you have in any other month, give yourself a pat on the back. Congratulations!
Last year, the day after I completed NaNoWriMo, I shared 10 NaNoWriMo Tips for Writers based on my experience. But as the days unfolded into weeks, I felt a little lost now that the structure of the writing challenge had ended and I was once again on my own.
With NaNoWriMo now over, what’s the next step? When I was in your place last year, I asked for advice. Of course, you will decide what works best for you. But here are some tips that were shared with me.
And whether or not you participated in NaNoWriMo, these are good tips for all writers.
NaNoWriMo is over. Walk away.
Put your manuscript to bed for a bit of hibernation. You’ve written a lot and you’ve been consumed for a month. You can’t be objective about it right now. Walk away and let it marinate for a couple of weeks or even longer. In the meantime …
Work on a different project.
Don’t let your writing chops languish while your manuscript does. Keep the energy going with something else.
Start to craft an elevator speech.
This will be important down the road as you pitch your book to agents and publishers. The value of doing it now is it helps you evaluate the components of your story. Is the plot strong enough? Are the characters multi-faceted? Does their motivation make sense?
Work on a second draft but understand this won’t be your last draft.
The cognoscenti advise NaNoWriMo-ers to write, not edit, and hopefully this is what you have done. The idea is to let the 50,000 words flow without worrying about how good they are. I was fairly appalled at how bad my first draft was and I think many NaNoWriMo’ers feel the same. That’s OK. Your second draft will be better, but not as good as the third.
Broaden your characters.
You may have done character development before you even started to write. That is what is recommended. I did not do that. My characters threw some curve balls my way and that helped me better define their personalities. I think even if you have planned out the wazoo, your characters will still evolve over the course of writing.
Think as a reader.
As you go through the editing process, try to think as a reader, not a writer. Do your chapters end with a cliffhanger or at least an incentive for you to continue reading? Is there enough action, pathos, drama or mystery? Is there extraneous jibber jabber that can go away?
Keep writing.
Don’t stop now! You won the race but the marathon is not over yet. The speed at which you progress is up to you, but don’t give up. A year later, my manuscript is now at 70,000 words. I am still on the second draft.
Talk about your work.
I haven’t shared my manuscript with anyone except for an editor yet, but I do talk about it if people ask. I can gauge the general interest in my story with their response. It also keeps me accountable.
So writers, carry on. You should be proud of your effort and commitment. Good luck with the next phase of your writing!
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2015 Helene Cohen Bludman
My youngest has been learning to “think as a reader” in school. It’s such an important thing to do for writers.
I’m glad they’re teaching that — it is important for writers to be aware of it.
Great advice! I found sometimes my characters say things that in editing I just have to edit them because the reader me is tired of one of the characters doing all the talking. It is odd to describe this to non-writers. Sometimes I can’t even remember what a character said and I wrote it!
Haralee recently posted…The Menopausal Insomnia Rut
I found the same phenomenon, Haralee. I had always heard about characters talking to the writer — it really happens!
I am not a novelist but I do write poetry and hope to one day publish it. That said this sounds like a fun thing to try. I so need to check it out and sign up next time around.
Rebecca Bryant recently posted…Monday Music With @TheDanHolguin #Music
You should, Rebecca. Even though it’s for novel writing you really can do any kind of writing at all.
Here’s my dirty little secret. After writing four novels – two trashed and two represented by a NYC literary agent but ultimately self-published – I have found my “sweet spot” by sticking to 700-900 word essays. To me, 50,000 words doesn’t equal an unpublished novel anymore. It equals 71 highly publishable essays. This may not be the ultimate solution for every aspiring author but it sure works for me!
Finding your sweet spot is the bottom line. Although I think you are an amazing novelist, Stacia.
It’s good advice. I’m also someone who prefers the personal essay. I don’t write fiction at all.
Carol Cassara (@ccassara) recently posted…My Baby Boomer test
I’m writing outside my comfort zone, so we’ll see. 🙂
I bookmarked this because I know I’m going to refer back to it soon. I’m in the process of needing these tips for what I’m working on so a BIG thank you for this info!
Carolann recently posted…Five Windows Tips Worth Remembering
So glad it is helpful, Carolann!
Giving it a rest and working on other projects is great advice — it’s what I did last year, and my blog was born. 🙂
NaNoWriMo is a good experience for all writers, even if we figure out that we favor other genres of writing. As much as I dream of publishing a novel one day, I keep finding myself going in the direction of the personal essay. I wouldn’t know that if I hadn’t tried it.
T.O. Weller recently posted…“Big Magic” for Every Writer Over Thirty
I think it’s great to experiment with different genres to find the one that most suits you. Best of luck, T.O.!
I haven’t participated- yet. I keep meaning to and then life gets in the way which is why you are offering advice, so that people like me have a road map! Maybe next year but Good For YOU!
Cheryl Nicholl recently posted…Babysitting Your Soul
Maybe next year will be your year, Cheryl!
I do need to think like a reader now that I have my 50,000 words written and the REAL work is about to begin.
Good advice about stepping away from the first draft for a bit but never stop writing. As for the elevator speech? I’m having a hard time with that. I need to work (hard) on it
You are a great cheerleader, Helene!
Cathy Chester recently posted…What are You Grateful for Today?
I’m so proud of you for crossing the finish line, Cathy! Great job!!!
I have so much respect for the participants in this event. It sounds scary and overwhelming to me!
Kimberly XO
Kimberly recently posted…It’s My Birthday
My SIL is apart of a group like this. I will have to tell her about this one. She is trying to write a book and needs the support of others to keep her motivated.
Brandy M recently posted…Cinnamon Roll Body Scrub Recipe
That’s great, Brandy! I definitely think a support group is valuable.
I’m with Kimberly on this one…
I think I am going to challenge myself for December and use their prompts and see what I can come up with.
Looks like a ton of fun!
Heather lawrence recently posted…Now is a great time for a family vacation
I love the idea behind this and have a friend who participated. She was really happy with the results. It did make her more accountable and she got some serious words down!
Jessica Harlow recently posted…What’s playing at the movies this month? December 2015
Excellent advice, Helene! I made it through NaNoWriMO and I know my 50k+ words won’t really resemble themselves when it’s all published. I accepted that about half way through. Now I’m trying to figure out how to structure the whole thing. Is it a story across generations or a group of related short stories…I don’t know.
But the best piece of advice I got from this amazing list is to put it away and work on something else. I have the perfect project to get me through to at least January.
Thank you so much for this!
b
Barbara Hammond recently posted…You Gotta Have Friends to NaNoWriMo!
wow! 50,000 words is a lot, I don’t think I could ever do it. For those who do, it’s quite an accomplishment!
I agree!
Congrats on a big writing task and thank you for sharing your hard earned wisdom!
Thank you, Sheryl!
50,000 words is a lot! They definitely need to be congratulated for all the hard work they’ve put in. These are great tips especially the one that says walk away
Lorane recently posted…The Broke Millennial’s Guide to Christmas Gifts
It’s definitely a challenge. Kudos to everyone who can finish!
I haven’t started writing my manuscript yet. But I am developing myself as a writer with smaller projects. what a fantastic challenge.
Keikilani recently posted…My Routines have Ruined Me and I am Ruined without my Routines – Confessions of a Tired Mom
Good for you, Keikilani!
People who participated should definitely pat themselves on the back. This is great advice for pretty much any writer!
Liz Mays recently posted…America’s Test Kitchen Holiday Recipes + Bye Chris Kimball
Thank you, Liz!
Oh wow, what a great month of writing. I used to LOVE to write. I wish I still had the time.
Tonya C recently posted…Holiday Tween Crafting Party + DIY Washi Tape Party Decor
It is definitely hard to find the time, Tonya. We’re all so busy!
I didn’t finish it, but have 25K words down of my work in progress–so it’s a start. I may still work on it in an attempt to challenge myself, but of course it will be on my time not NaN0WriMo’s time.
Estelle recently posted…Science of Parenthood Gives Birth to a New Book
That’s fantastic, Estelle! You should be proud! That’s a great start.
Awesome! I am not a professional writer or aspiring writer by any means but what a huge accomplishment to pump out 50,000 words and great “to do” list for after
LauraFunk recently posted…24 Days of Elf on The Shelf Ideas
Thank you, Laura!
I did start my book in November but was not a part of this push – I plan to finish it in early 2016 – this is a great program though
Carol Bryant recently posted…Black Friday Dog Lovers Ornament Sale
Good for you, Carol! I wish you luck!
People who participated should be proud of themselves! This is great advice for any writer! Loved reading it!
Claudia Krusch recently posted…The Perfect Holiday Gift
I honestly never thought I would consider myself a writer but 8 years later – here I am!!
Censie recently posted…Welcome Elf on the Shelf
Congrats to you, Censie!
I have never heard that term before. One of my major goals is to write a novel. It may need to wait til my kids are a little older but I will get there and a writing event like this would be just what I need.
Athena recently posted…Apple Dumplings Made Better With SPLENDA® Blend @Splenda
Also check out writing conferences, Athena. I have found them to be very helpful.
Walking away for a bit and then coming back really can make it fresh again. It’s hard to see errors too when you haven’t given yourself a bit of distance between reads.
So true, Rosey. Even stepping away for a couple of hours I can make a blog post better.
My mom likes to write; I should definitely let her know about this.
I have never heard of this before – thanks for the enlightenment!
You’re welcome!
I have so much respect for those that follow through with the entire month of NaNoWriMo. That takes so much discipline!
Mariana recently posted…25 Days of Ornaments – Day 1
Wonderful advice for any writer. BTW when is your book coming out. I can’t wait!
Pat recently posted…Terrorism and Refugee Crisis Separate Issues
You are so kind, Pat. I promise, you will be among the first to know.