How does one participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and still k

1. 67

   ThompsonPenposted 12 years ago

   How does one participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and still keep a full time Job?
   
   I love participating, though each year writers block gets the best of me. But even so, I have a hard time having enough time! How do you do it?

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2. 61

   Cruncherposted 12 years ago

   Sleep less. Seriously, that's what I do when I have to get some writing done.
   
   But don't take it too far or you'll be so tired you are unproductive - and you may get fired from your day job too!

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3. 77

   John MacNabposted 12 years ago

   Do what I did when I participated, ThompsonPen.......RETIRE FIRST.

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4. 84

   M. T. Dremerposted 12 years ago

   Writing a novel, in any month, is all about giving yourself tangible goals. If you sit down on November 1st and say "I need to write a novel" you've already failed. But, if you sit down and say "I need to write 1,000 words" or "I need to write one page" then you're on a path to success. Any amount of progress, no matter how small, will keep you moving forward. NaNoWriMo is all about helping authors kick start novels. While it is certainly an accomplishment to reach that 50,000 word total, ultimately the heart of the challenge, in my mind, is lighting a fire under our butts. You may not make the final total, but any attempts will bring you closer to a finished product. So, write what you can, when you can, even if it's only a few sentences before you go to bed. Little by little, you'll see progress, even if you aren't keeping up with the writers who don't have jobs.

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5. 69

   SylviaSkyposted 12 years ago

   Tell your friends and family that you are participating in Nanowrimo and they won't be seeing you much, and you will not be available for the usual socializing until December 1. Either load your freezer with frozen meals or cook a whole week's meals at the beginning of each week. Do not clean house. Do not do favors. Do not watch TV or movies. Get off the Internet. Get out of your home and go to the Nanowrimo write-ins in your area where all are writing and only writing for two or four hours at a time. I have a friend who spends her lunch hour in the parking garage in her minivan, writing; she says it's a surprisingly good little office. Being a writer has its price. If you will make these kinds of sacrifices for for one month, you can do Nano while keeping a full-time job.

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6. 72

   shasha123posted 12 years ago

   Hi ThompsonPen,  I think by getting as much rest as you can and keeping a pad and pen next to your bedside. That way when you get these great writing revelations in the middle of the night you can get up and write them down. Good Luck!!

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7. 97

   Phyllis Doyleposted 12 years ago

   I think it would be very difficult for me to write while having a full time job. I do not participate in NaNoWriMo simply because I do not have time. I write for five web sites and that is taking most of my time.  I could not do this if I had a full time job. In fact, I did not start writing seriously till I retired.

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