I know of people reading my blog who wouldn't necessarily know what NaNoWriMo is, so let me clarify this first: NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. Find them here: https://nanowrimo.org/
I'd say it's a movement and it's meant to encourage you to push yourself to write 50,000 words in one month - the minimum (-ish) word count of a novel.
Most writer souls participating in NaNoWriMo plan in advance - and far in adance. For me, it was a not-at-all planned very last minute hopping on the Nano train (would've you gessed? - I've just registered on their site - one day before November). Officially, you win NaNoWriMo if you reach your goal by the end of the month, but I rather think you win if you keep up with your healthy best. Writing is a lifetime marathon, nothing less. (Sorrynotsorry.)
With all this being said, I don't mean to do a very traditional NaNoWriMo rush, I intend to create my own rules: mostly around being very intentional as to what I'm doing and why. I have been incredibly lucky to have been published (though not heavily and not in fiction - very strictly speaking, at least), but most importantly, I have been lucky enough to have listened to professors, writers and artists talk about writing. What did I study at university? It's a complicated question - all I can say, for now, is that I had plenty of creative and academic writing classes. In retrospect, I must say it feels like all we did was write, write, write.
So here, in this post, I'd like to share a few thoughts: advice I've heard from others (professionals) knowing far more than I do, tips I've picked up alongside the way, and approaches and habits I came up with and have been adopting successfully since my first ever publication.
So, here we go - hopefully with a few useful tips:
1.
Now, there's one thing I ought to say first - and it is by far the most important thing, IT'S THE GOLDEN RULE - even though it might be an unpopular advice:
NOTHING
(let me repeat it)
NOTHING.IS.AS.IMPORTANT.AS.YOUR.MENTAL.HEALTH.
Period.
I think especially the media these days loves implying the idea of that one crazy genius - working at the cost of their health. Dark academia, I'm looking at you. But let me remind you that this specific genius archetype often has a very short life. Moreover, the narrative around artists dying young usually focuses on two things: how they died (and the fact they did - and so early), and what they would've created had they lived longer. It simplifies their whole art to something fundamentally outside of their creation. Also, artists usually reach their peak (and that one substantial work of theirs) later in their career, so instead of focusing on the forced completion of a (probably) early work of yours, walking your art as healthily - and consistently - as you can, will benefit not only your mental health but your chances to get recognised (published...) too later on. I'm quite cross with the dark academia movement for advocating late-night study sessions and mental breakdown. Please stop. Just. Stop. Please.
2.
You don't actually have to write 50,000 words to participate in Nano. There are many forms and genres of literature (and even creative processes) that you can follow and not all of them require you to write that much. It is possible to write a lot in one month - Kazuo Ishiguro famously wrote The Remains of the Day in four weeks, read about it here: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/dec/06/kazuo-ishiguro-the-remains-of-the-day-guardian-book-club - but there are other big pieces of literature that were written over a loooooong period of time. And also, obviously, you won't publish your very first draft right after finishing it in November, you will keep rewriting it over and over again. And if you are just at the beginning of a very arduous journey, there's no need to break down right at the beginning.
3.
TAKE BREAKS. (Obviously.) And take them very consciously, right from the very beginning of your journey, don't only take them once you've gotten truly exhausted. You're amazing, you deserve rest.
4.
Start your day by doing something writing related and tiny. You will feel more accomplished and happier throughout your day. This can be re-reading a few pages, writing down a few things in a notebook or just reading something that gets you genuinely inspired. If you can do this before work or school, it will set your day off on a completely different tone.
5.
Keep your environment light and noisy. (Especially if you feel underwhelmed and sleepy.) Sounds weird, I know. This definitely might not work for everyone, but one thing I learned at university was that doing something while in the midst of action (=life) is still better than falling asleep over your books or laptop at home, in complete silence. Life happens and it happens all the time. You're very likely to have life hit you like a truck if we're being honest... And it's OK. Unless you have an amazingly comfy life, you won't have complete peace surrounding you 24/7. I find cafés to be the best for staying awake or active, but you can imitate that environment at home as well.
6.
Have little writing-related habits. 'Writing codes' - as I call them. From candles and favourite socks to having a walk before writing or putting on red lipstick (and maybe something pretty?), anything may work that you often do when writing. Do your little rituals and don't mind the world.
7.
Work on paper too. Your beautiful unused notebooks on your bookshelves are perfect for Nano. You can make your notes aesthetic, but it's definitely not a necessity. No one will read these very first little scribbled wits and bits of yours. Ahh, and your eyes especially need a proper break from screens. Play around, use stickers, use colours, pour your coffee onto the papers. A truly creative space is a safe space.
8.
Don't turn your aims into obsession. Art - contrary to common belief (and this is something I heard from professors) - is not such a pure wave of passion. Art, at least partly, is cold-headed and structured. Poems written down in a frantic state are most often quite awful and the complete opposite of glorious. (This doesn't mean, of course, that they have no potential, they absolutely do, but what turns them into a masterpiece is the additional, surgen-like, scrupulous work you add later on).
9.
If you cannot (or don't want to) write, read something. This also works for writers block. Reading is active work that you do for your writing. Especially if you feel broken - read for your comfort. It does count as working on your book. (Once again, it sounds odd, but I was told this by professors, and they were right, reading always got me back on track, so just try it.)
10.
Record and listen back. It's incredibly hard to step away from your writing when you're immersed in it from head to toe. After a while of constant re-reading things, I eventually end up not even hearing if my sentences sound natural - or the way I want them to sound. My best solution for this is to read aloud the section (even if it's a half-hour read), record it, go for a walk and listen to the text as though an audiobook. I sometimes read things myself, but there are many programs online that can do it for you, even your PDF reader. I find this method life-saving.
11.
I saved my favourite one to the end: the best advice I've ever gotten actually resolved an era of anxiety in me. A professor of mine at university told me that 70% of writing happens in our head - without writing anything down. Up to that point, I had thought something was wrong with me because I usually had to walk things off. I thought hard about my writing, sometimes for weeks, without writing a single letter down. But then I learned that it's okay, and it's very productive. If things get you excited, allow yourself time to walk through the idea in your head. Only write when you feel inclined to write: when it comes naturally, almost like an itch. Don't push yourself to write just because you feel bad and that 'It's time to write.'
+ tip:
I saw a book a few years ago in a bookstore with a bright yellow cover - some visual bravery you can't help but adore - with a title I got instantly hooked on. I still haven't bought the book, even though it's on my TBR (to be read) list. It was called If in Doubt, Wash Your Hair - by Anya Hindmarch. Obviously, I still haven't read it, but love the idea of self-care, and cleaning oneself up - especially hair. I think hair signifies a lot. I often imagine brushing my hair as untangling the complexities of my little life. And with writing, especially, I find this thought pretty on point - going for a shower and taking every step ridiculously seriously, being thorough and almost celebrational. After proper self-care you won't be the same person, your problems ought to change as well. That's what I believe in, at least.
Well, these were my tips. And about my NaNoWriMo goals... - I only have one:
...and marking it in my diary. But from reading to walking my thoughts off, anything and everything may count. Because treating myself well will get me the farthest in the long run. I'm just learning this as well - no one hates marathons more than I do. I want things and I want things fast. But life is just not like that, baby. And that's a fact, so why fight?
Have a happy NaNoWriMo everyone.
Hugs from the Fearless Frock!
Comments