For many writers, we have hit a major bump in the NaNo road: Thanksgiving holiday. Here in the States, this is an extra-long weekend. Kids typically are out of school from Wednesday until Monday. Spouses might have this time off, too. Family is coming to visit, or you’re going to see family. All that time you might have had to write is usurped by housecleaning, shopping, traveling, cooking a 25 pound turkey, baking 4 kinds of pie, making the house look festive, and entertaining guests.
Even if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, I’m sure everyone has run into a major life hurdle that has threatened to kick you out of the NaNo race. Perhaps you were sick, or you had to work extra shifts, or you have to make 500 clothespin angels for the church bazaar. Whatever the reason, if you have trouble finding the time to write it doesn’t matter if you planned your story weeks in advance or if your muse is spewing out ideas like a geyser.
For a lot of writers, time to write changes every day, and it is never guaranteed. This makes NaNo kind of stressful, especially when a whole day passes and you never get close to the suggested 1,667 words. Especially when you look at your buddies and see that they are miles ahead of you in word count.
My best suggestion is to write one hour every day (at least). The hour is there, trust me, even if you have to break it up into 15-minute chunks. Instead of TV, write. Instead of checking FB and Twitter, write. Write during your lunch break. Go to bed later than usual or get up earlier than usual, and write. There are dozens of places where you can adjust your schedule to fit in your writing.
The real trick is that you have to want to do it. If the desire to write your NaNo novel isn’t there, then you’re not going to find the time. Remind yourself that it’s just for 30 days. You can go back to FB on December 1st. You can sleep again on December 1st.
I’m reminded of athletes. I once saw an interview with a professional baseball player during the World Series. Since the beginning of playoffs, over half his team was out with injuries, so most players played every day, for the duration of the game (including pitchers). He was asked about his exhaustion level. He said that yes, he was wiped but he knew that this was part of the job and there would be plenty of time to sleep and recuperate when the season is over.
I thought that was a very cool, logical, professional answer. We might feel overwhelmed and exhausted from lack of sleep or lack of creativity. But it’s part of NaNo. There will be plenty of time to chill out when NaNo season is over.
So, go find 15 minutes and up your word count.
How do you manage your writing time?
Limebird Writers 