Started these notes on Nov. 7, one week into NaNoWrIMo.
– Write.
– Use those 15 beats. Write out several versions of the story you think you want to tell.
– Work on those character descriptions early in October. Know those characters before hand and your story will flow.
– Read great books all month.
– Definitely block that time off on your calendar. That is working great!
– In October, start minimizing meetings that you accept in November. Get work done in advance whenever possible.
– Still schedule in your running and exercise.
– Journal the month before.
It’s now Nov 30, and I finished NaNoWriMo on Wed, Nov. 26.
– Don’t worry too much about exercising but a good walk helps.
– Don’t try to avoid caffeine by drinking that herbal tea called “Easy Now.” You may be allergic to the flowers in it. It gave you vertigo, possibly.
– Absolutely respect the time you have blocked off to write. That worked perfectly.
– Write scenes even if you decide not to use them later and even if they don’t make sense with previously written scenes but you think they may fit with the story after you revise it.
– You’re going to feel bad about your story at some points. Keep writing anyway. You can revise it!
– You love parts of your story. You’re going to feel so good you sat down and wrote this. You can revise it!
– Telling people, out loud, that you’re going to win, helps.
– Write with a friend. Write by yourself. Write in the morning or the evening, or both. Write a lot. Write!
(I hope I remember to come back and read this in late September 2015!)