A writer can face motivation challenges when participating in NaNoWriMo. Here are some ways that can make writing a 50,000 word novel in a month easier and more enjoyable.
Competition and Challenges
Challenge a fellow writing buddy or mentor to a “word war”. The goal is to beat the other person with one’s NaNoWriMo word count. This competition could occur on a daily or weekly basis depending on the writer’s schedule. Writing in a competitive frame of mind can help the words flow easier without one’s inner critic getting in the way because the focus is on quantity, not quality.
Set a period of time aside, with five to ten minutes being the most common, and see how many words can be written just in that time frame. The goal is for one’s fingers to be continuously typing with no pauses. Once the writer gets into the rhythm of the quick pace, they’ll be amazed at how many words end up on the page. This is also a great exercise for writers that have a limited amount of writing time available on any given day.
Reward System
Implementing a reward system related to one’s daily or weekly word count during NaNoWriMo can be a powerful motivator. If using this system on a daily basis, the writer should pick something small, such as a favorite food to have with dinner, a magazine or other relatively inexpensive writing bribe.
Writers could also pick a more expensive item as a reward for winning National Novel Writing Month at the end of November. Having a picture or the actual item visible in one’s writing space keeps the reward tangible.
Sponsorship and Accountability
Sponsorship not only helps the writer keep on track, it can be used to make the world a better place. Simply ask friends and family if they’d be willing to donate to a charitable cause under the condition that at the end of November, there is a finished 50,000 word novel sitting on one’s hard drive.
Accountability can be established by setting realistic weekly word counts. Ask a trusted friend or family member to check in during a pre-designated day and time for a status report. If the writer hasn’t met their weekly goal, they had better have a good excuse as well as a strategy for catching up during the next weekly writing period. It’s best to choose someone who can be both encouraging and firm, after all NaNoWriMo is not a commitment that should be taken lightly.
