Strategies for Overcoming Writing Backlog during National Novel Writing Month
In the thick of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), it's not uncommon to find oneself behind schedule. However, fear not, for catching up is possible with a strategic approach.
Redistributing your word count goals over the remaining days is key to avoiding burnout. Multiplying the words that can be written per day by the number of writing days left gives the number of words that can comfortably be written by the deadline. For instance, if you are 10,000 words behind with 10 days to go, aim for 1,000 extra words per day above the usual 1,667 to reach 50,000 words total.
Other strategies include using timed writing sprints, starting strong and avoiding missing days, breaking the workload into manageable goals, allowing for "messy" writing, and triggering writing habits. Timed writing sprints involve writing intensively for short periods, such as 7-15 minutes, which can help overcome perfectionism and increase output without self-editing as you draft.
Starting strong and avoiding missing days are crucial for building and maintaining momentum. Consistency is vital; even a small daily output adds up. Breaking the workload into manageable goals, such as writing one scene or subplot at a time, rather than trying to write large blocks in one session, can make the task seem less daunting.
Allowing for "messy" writing at first—writing summaries or vague placeholders with the intention to revise later—reduces pressure and keeps the words flowing without slowing down to perfect prose. Triggering writing habits by linking writing to daily events or activities can reinforce routine and creativity.
By implementing these strategies, writers can increase their daily word count dramatically and efficiently catch up on NaNoWriMo goals despite being behind schedule. The key is keeping focus on raw output first, deferring editing for after reaching the goal.
Setting a stretch goal is optional, but it can help push the writer to grow their abilities. For further strategies, the author suggests checking out their book, "Booked to the Gills: How To Crush Thirty-Day Writing Challenges for Busy People."
To get started, follow these steps:
- Count the number of remaining writing days in the month.
- Add the words that can be written by the end of the month to the words already written to determine what goal can be reached by the end of the month.
- Divide the total words needed by the number of writing days to determine a new daily word count.
Remember, it's important to evaluate how many words can be written per day without pushing into burnout. A free downloadable worksheet for NaNoWriMo catch-up strategies is available for those who need a little extra help.
So, if you're behind schedule this NaNoWriMo, don't panic. With these strategies, you can still reach your goal and perhaps even surprise yourself with what you can achieve. Happy writing!
Novel writing can be integrated into a productive lifestyle with strategic approaches like redistributing word count goals or using timed writing sprints, both of which help manage workload effectively. Moreover, education-and-self-development can be aided by buying and reading books on writing challenges, such as "Booked to the Gills: How To Crush Thirty-Day Writing Challenges for Busy People."
