Hi, SEers! Mae, here! Thanks for joining me as October winds down to a close. Halloween is just around the corner, and you know what comes after that, right?
NaNoWriMo!
It’s almost time to start the write-a-thon craziness that takes place every November. If you’re participating—hoping to write 50K in thirty days—plan your strategy now if you haven’t already. Last month, I shared how to prep for NaNo. You can find that post HERE if you missed it.
Right now, you should be ready for the starting whistle. Whether you’re beginning a new project, adding to an existing WIP, or crafting short stories that total at least 50K, there are several ways to approach your goal. Let’s take a look…
Disciplined
If you’re sticking to the letter of NaNoWriMo you’ll need to pen 1666 words every day for thirty days. Somewhere during that time, you’ll need to add an additional 20 words to hit 50K.
(1666 x 30 = 49,980 + 20 = 50,000)
Warp Drive
Kick the month off by writing like a fiend. Start vomiting words and go for as many as you can, as long as you can.
1666 words per day? Pfff, you say! You’re going to double that! Triple that! Can I get a quadruple?
Seesaw
Opt for a combination of the above methods. Write like a speed-demon until you sputter, then plan a day or two with a specific word count until you’re back in light-speed mode. We all know once words flow, characters interact, and scenes build into chapters, momentum returns.
Nail Biter
Remember the scene in How the Grinch Stole Christmas when Cindy Lou Who asks, “Santie Claus, why? Why are you taking our tree, why?” Now picture the Grinch nervously gnawing his fingernails. NaNoWriMo participants are well acquainted with that look because we all do it at one time or another during the month.
Be prepared. Accept it’s going to happen—usually when ZERO word count days creep into the schedule. Embrace it for what it is. Gnaw your fingernails (or a pencil). Then get back on board seesawing, launching warp drive, or settling into disciplined writing.

I Think Not
You’ve made up your mind. It’s insanity to attempt writing 50K in thirty days, especially given there’s a major holiday in the month for U.S. residents. Thanksgiving takes a lot of prep. Recipe planning, food shopping, house cleaning, decorating, pie baking, cooking! The list goes on. Who has time to even think about writing several days either side of Thanksgiving?
Living on the Fringe
You’re not participating, but dang—NaNoWriMo is exciting! You’re thoroughly jazzed for your writing friends who’ve decided to take the challenge. You’re cheering them on, and in the process, planning to make a dent in your WIP. You’re going to embrace the creative energy zooming through the writing community during the month and make the most of it. Nothing official, but you’re planning to step up your commitment and dedicate time to your muse.
So, let’s hear it—which description fits you best? Maybe you’re a combination of a few. Even if you’re not participating in NaNoWriMo, I’d love to hear your writing plans for next month. Drop a few lines in the comments and share.
Ready, set, go!

❤❤❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your idea about writing short stories instead of a novel. I am always busy in November so I don’t do this. I probably wouldn’t do it anyway as I am quirky about how I write and slow and steady is my style. I must edit as I go along or else it nags at me. I don’t have the personality for this challenge, but I admire those who do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Robbie, I think there are a lot of writers who don’t engage in NaNoWriMo but who still make November a dedicated time for writing. It’s definitely a hard month for me, between Thanksgiving and also my wedding anniversary. I’m not sure I’ll be successful this year, but I always have fun trying.
And I completely understand how it’s impossible for some authors to turn off their internal editor and stick with slow and steady. That’s my pace 11 other months out of the year, LOL.
No matter what you may be working on, I wish you much success with progress!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mae. I am making progress with The Soldier and the Radium Girl which is set in the USA. Big learning curve – you don’t use the word bloody for everything – haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! I applaud you for tackling a book set in the USA. Suzanne Burke did that with her work too and it always amazed me. I don’t think I could ever pull off writing a novel set in a foreign country!
LikeLike
Great tips and rallying cry, Mae. I can’t believe I’m going to sign up. What am I thinking? Lol. I usually try for 2k words a day, so that I get a little ahead for those unexpected glitches. Have fun and Happy Writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Woohoo! Glad you’re going to sign up, Diana. If you’re normal goal is 2k a day you’ll have no problem with NaNo.
I’m cheering you on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know that there are going to be days that I can’t come close, so pushing on the other days is helpful. The hardest part for me is not editing as I go, which is my usual MO. Should be fun though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s my biggest hurdle to overcome too, Diana. November is the only time I give myself permission to turn off my internal editor and vomit words! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. I’ll be trying to vomit out a book too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: #ReblogAlert – This Week on #StoryEmpire | The Write Stuff
Mae, I love this byte sized approach to digitally capturing the words. The challange is compelling. Thank you for the new perspective.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Rox! Thanks for stopping by and checking out the post. NaNoWriMo is definitely a compelling challenge, and there are so many different ways to approach it. I enjoyed writing this post and am glad you enjoyed it!
LikeLike
I’ve never been interested before, but I do have a non-fiction project about baby boomers that I started in 1999 that I keep shelving for one reason or another. After reading this, I’ve decided to have a non-official go and will see how many words I can achieve. I have all the information I need in notebooks and so this might be all the motivation I need to at least have a finished rough draft at the end. There’s always the unexpected cropping up here and my health issues can get in the way, but if I do this without the official commitment I won’t feel like I’ve failed. Even if I only write a few thousand words, that’s a bonus of a few thousand! Thanks, Mae.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Alex, I’m excited for you! There is absolutely nothing wrong with giving it a non-official go, especially when you have things that can crop up and present hurdles. A non-fiction project about baby boomers sounds interesting (especially since I am one, LOL). November sounds like a great time to dive back into your project. I’m glad my post inspired you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck with word count, Mae! Are you starting something new or adding to a WIP? Either way, wishing you much success. My brain’s too slow for NaNo, but I’m halfway through Jazzi 8, and I’m hoping to finish the first daft in November. Fingers crossed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Judi. I’m hoping to finish up a WIP. I did that last year for NaNo, and am hoping I can duplicate the effort this year.
That’s exciting about Jazzi 8. I know with all the creative energy pinging around during November, you’re certain to finish it. I’ll be cheering you on!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m the “I think not,” selection. I just can’t find the amount of time it would take. Plus I’m such a sloppy writer that I think I would be creating a huge pile of dreck for myself. Great post, Mae. 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
LOL! I love the description of “a huge pile of dreck.” I did that two years ago in NaNo, John, so I can relate.
Wishing you lots of creative energy for whatever project you decide to tackle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mae. Best wishes on your NaNo experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John! 🙂
LikeLike
I am definitely living on the fringe this year, cheering the writers on with pom poms! However, the energy from just talking about it is inspiring and I will join in that feeling with whatever I do in November. What a great post! I can’t wait to read what you come up with! Thank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s awesome, Jan. The energy generated from NaNoWriMo is really something, isn’t it? I’m always amazed by the excitement it generates. Thanks for being there with those pom-poms. Whatever WIP you’re tackling on the fringe, I’ll be cheering you on, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Last year I was living on the fringe and “unofficially” participated — and wound up finishing my first novel a few months later! This year I officially signed up, but I’ll be honest and say that I’ll likely be seesawing this, depending on how work goes for me.
Great post, Mae! 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you did the official sign up, Marie. That’s fantastic. And how wonderful you finished a novel from your unofficial participation a few months later. I did the same last year.
I’m a see-sawer, too. I start off at warp speed, then bottom out to zero word count days, dust myself off and return with a slower approach. Wishing us both much success!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did a couple of 10K weekend sprints while writing Hotel Fen, so I might do that this time around too! I’m likely to wind up with too few words on weekdays anyway, so that might help me make up for lost words 😂
Thanks for the well wishes, Mae, and all the same to you! I’ll be waiting to read what you finish writing. 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll be doing weekends too, Marie, with the exception of a few days at the start of the month. I’ll be excited to read your finished book as well!
I’ll look for you on the NaNoWriMo website. I’m MythMaven.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I dunno… I have a side project underway, but promised myself not to push it. It’s something to dabble with and could take years to finish. I would like to start another main project, but should just concentrate on material for an upcoming promo. I might have a release by mid-month if it all works out. I am cheering for you and hope you win again.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Craig. Doing promo and NaNoWriMo is almost impossible—at least for me. I planned my latest release for October so I could have the promo behind me when November rolled around. Even if you’re not participating I hope you get plenty of time to dabble in a new main project or your side project. And congrats on the upcoming release. That’s super exciting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ll see. I only have the one “self imposed” deadline. It will all work out somehow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hooray on a new release by you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Working that direction. Fingers crossed. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re ALWAYS welcome to visit my blog.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I guess I’m living on the fringe. I’m not participating, but I hope I’m going to up my word count, and I’ll definitely be cheering everyone on. Great post, Mae.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers to giving on the fringe, Staci! You blister your word count on a regular basis, but I’ll be cheering you on too with adding to your progress!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful post, Mae. I’m on the fence with NaNo, but I’ll be using the time to unravel a new book that’s stirring within. And of course, I’ll be cheering for you and Jill and everyone else who will be drafting another masterpiece. All the best to you – and all! 💗
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gwen, there is so much writing energy pinging around in the blogosphere in November, I have no doubt you’ll unravel that new book with ease. New projects are always exciting, and I wish you well with the development of yours. Thanks for NaNoWriMo well wishes, too. Fingers crossed it’s a productive month for all who participate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not doing NaNo, but I do plan to concentrate on my WIP during November.
Good luck to all the participants!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Joan. And I’m wishing you progress with your WIP. November is a great time to concentrate on writing, however you approach it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic post, Mae! As long as I don’t get any surprises from my editor, I plan to be the disciplined NaNo participant. I’m excited! In years past, once I’ve committed to writing a rough draft, it has later become a completed and published book. Thanks for allowing me to share in your launch yesterday…it was fun! Enjoy your weekend!
LikeLiked by 4 people
You have had such fantastic results with NaNoWriMo, Jill. Good for you for taking the disciplined approach, too. I’m a see-sawer….I start at warp speed, then hit a dry spell, then wobble back at a slower pace. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’ll see what happens this year, but I am so looking forward to it. I hope you don’t have any surprises from your editor and are able to participate as planned. I’ll be cheering you on.
And many thanks for hosting me during my tour yesterday. I had a blast visiting your blog! {{hugs}}
LikeLike
I haven’t done an official NaNoWriMo but have knocked out huge daily word counts in the past. With my health up in the air and medical tests upcoming, I’m not in a position to commit to anything but I’ll be cheering you all along. Here’s to a month a fantastic creativity 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
Harmony, thanks for those cheers. I know when you have the time available, you always excel at word count. I hope things settle down for you with your health and the tests. Sending you plenty of positive vibes and healing thoughts. Hopefully, you’ll be able to tap into all that creativity in November as time suits you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry to hear about the health problems and upcoming medical tests, Harmony. Love and helaing vibes coming your way.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Trish 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
er…healing…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never participated, and my life is beyond busy right now, but I’m going to try for 25K this year. I’m hoping to finish my blog tour posts for my soon-to-be-released book this week. That way, I can focus on my current WIP, which needs a big push to get fully written. NaNoWriMo might just be the push I need. We shall see! Great post, Mae. 🙂
LikeLiked by 5 people
Hi, Yvette. Fingers crossed you manage those blog tour posts and then can concentrate on hitting 25K in November. I’m just winding down from a tour, so I know the amount of time involved. I’ll be cheering you on with both your new release and your goal of 25K. I’m hoping to give my WIP a huge push as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck, Mae! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Yvette. Remember to reach to me when you’re ready for promo!
LikeLike
Great post, Mae 🙂 I did the last two years and I’m working on my first story written at NaNo. I won’t be working on a new story this year as I deeply in editing. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Denise, that’s awesome that you’re working on a book written during NaNoWriMo. The whole goal is to achieve a complete project, and it sounds like yours is soon to see the light of day with publishing. I’ll be cheering you on as you edit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I intend to have a really good go this year. I try to write as I go, the whole month would be spent copying and pasting if I used pre written material.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Congrats on your intention for that really good go! I’m going to do the same and will be writing as I go as well. I have a project in the works that has been languishing at a pitiful 14K for almost a year. Adding another 50K will bring me close to a complete book.
Thanks for dropping by to comment, and best of luck during NaNo!
LikeLiked by 1 person