By K.P. Gresham
Yep, it’s that time of year again for NaNoWriMo. (Short for “National Novel Writing Month.) And yes, the challenge is to write 50,000 words in the month of November.
Although this event is nation-wide and writers of all genres participate, Sisters in Crime is a major sponsor of the event. All members of Sisters in Crime are able to take advantage of twice a day write-ins, zoom social events, and helpful hints on how to keep that creativity going.
Sisters in Crime provides an entire tool kit on how to make this challenge doable. To give you just one example, I’m going to paraphrase five things SinC has put together to champion NaNoWriMo.
Track your progress every day. I’m talking word count. It’s amazing how motivational this alone can be. After three or four days, you may be astounded by how much you have done.
Find writing friends with whom you will share your results. This communication will keep all of you accountable to each other. It’s not exactly peer pressure, but you sure don’t want to be the one dragging up the rear.
Set a schedule to get together in person with these writing friends throughout the month. Once a week? Twice? Every ten days? Whatever schedule works for your group, this is a wonderful reminder that you’re all in this together. Writing can be such a solitary experience, but when you look across the table and see someone else typing away to get their story on the page, you know you’re not alone.
Make a schedule for writing when you’re not with the group. This schedule might include the time of day you will write, or what days your will write. Promise yourself you’re going to keep to that schedule. Don’t be intimidated by a blank page, just write!
Eliminate distractions. Don’t check your email. Don’t do research—but, of course, make a note of the research that needs to be done when you’re not in your scheduled writing time.
Sisters in Crime has many, many more tips, but this gives you an idea of the practical advice the organization provides to SinC members for a successful NaNoWriMo.
For more information on joining Sisters in Crime, please go to their website at https://www.sistersincrime.org/
And exercise those digits. Your fingers are going to be very busy in November!
K.P. Gresham, Author
Professional Character Assassin
K.P. Gresham is the award-winning author of the Pastor Matt Hayden Mystery Series as well as several stand-alone novels. Active in Sisters in Crime and the Writers League of Texas, she has won Best Novel awards from the Bay Area Writers League as well as the Mystery Writers of America.
Website: http://www.kpgresham.com/
Email: kp@kpgresham.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kpgresham
Books by
K.P. Gresham
The Pastor Matt Hayden Mystery Series