Hey, SE Readers. Joan with you today with the third in my Lessons from NaNo series. To read the first part, click here. You can access part two by clicking this link.
Today’s post is the shortest of the series, but probably the most important if you want to reach your word count goal. Perseverance.
In order to get off to a good start, I took a day of vacation on November 1. I wrote over 3000 words for the first two days. After that, my daily word count decreased. A few days, I exceeded 2000, but most were under that mark. My lowest day before reaching the 50K mark was 305.
Because I’m a visual person, I modified my word count spreadsheet a bit for NaNo. I love using Excel, so I applied simple conditional formatting to keep me on track. Here’s a screenshot:
Green = goal met. Red = goal not met. That may not seem like much, but seeing that cell change from red to green helped spur me to write more. The NaNoWriMo site also had a place to enter your daily word count. It would tell you what day you would reach the 50K mark if you continued at the current pace. Believe me, I didn’t like seeing I would reach my goal until December.
Some of the passages I wrote are pure garbage. Not to say they can’t be revised, but I had to turn off my internal editor. That’s hard for me because I like to edit as a write.
Having writing buddies was also a big encouragement. The quote, “No man is an island,” certainly applies here. Writers often tend to be introverted, but don’t be afraid to reach out to others. Whether it’s during NaNoWriMo or for any project, having who understands the writing process is a huge help. Find someone—a friend, a critique partner, a family member who will encourage you.
The key to success is to set your goal and stick with it. Write if you don’t feel like it. Keep going when you want to quit. With a little persistence, you can cross the finish line!
I hope this series has been helpful to you. And if you’re so inclined, there is Camp NaNoWriMo in April and July. During those events, you can set your own goal. Maybe I’ll see you there.
You did really well, Joan. I think perseverance is key with any writing and any time, but 50 000 words in one month would make it especially vital.
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This is an excellent visual way to track any writing progress, Joan. I am going to try this and see if doesn’t help to keep me on track! Thank you!
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Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
Joan Hall shares how to keep going through NaNiWriMo on Story Empire. Good job, Joan.
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Thank you.
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You’re welcome.
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I love the self-motivation! I’m a fan of Excel sheets as well, and I love how you created this one! 🙂
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Excel challenges me sometimes, but it’s a great tool! It helped keep me motivated.
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I agree it was a very good lesson in perseverance, Joan:)
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It was. I wouldn’t want to commit to 50K words every month (as long as I’m still working full-time.)
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I couldn’t do that either working or not!
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I never turn off my inner editor and can’t write that fast, but I’m glad some people can. My brain would be fried:)
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I’ve learnt to turn off my inner editor, but it took some doing, lol. 😊
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Judi, I think mine is still fried from the effort. Suffice to say I wouldn’t want to do that every month.
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I can’t turn mine off either, but don’t know that I want to. I get disappointed by my individual efforts, but when I look at the big picture I tend to stay fairly productive.
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Excellent spreadsheet, Joan. I do agree, when you see numbers and goals it keeps you motivated. And thanks for the reminder about Camp NaNo in April. I may just give that a go 🙂
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I may try it also. I like the idea of setting our own goals.
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If you do, we have to share a cabin, LOL.
I’ve never done the camp thing before, so it will be a first for me!
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We’ll do that, Mae. I actually like Camp NNo the best, although its been a few years since I did it.
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I can see how that would keep you motivated. I don’t get along with Excel, so it would have been easier for me to write the words than make the spreadsheet. Ha ha.
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I have mixed feelings about spreadsheets, lol
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Well, you know I’m a glutton for punishment at times!
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Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this great post from Joan Hall via the Story Empire blog with Lessons From NaNo ~ Perseverance
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Thanks for sharing, Don.
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You’re welcome.
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Thanks, Don.
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You’re welcome.
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Love the spreadsheet, Joan. Great perseverance and result. 🙂
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Thanks, Harmony. It kept me motivated to see that word count goal turn from red to green.
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