It’s the first day of National Novel Writing Month! What are you doing on my blog?
Just kidding. I’m happy to have you here.
If you’re participating in Nanowrimo this month, my only tip for today is this:
Get as many words written today as you can.
Seriously. Get ahead, get far ahead, and just bank that bonus. Write as much as it’s humanly possible (for you) to write. Don’t get caught up in character names, world building, or silly things like “good” dialogue or “accurate” facts. Just get those words on paper, because today will set the momentum you need for the rest of the month.
It’s very tempting to want to “get it right” coming out of the gate. There’s this idea that a misstep here will somehow prove disastrous, that you need to get the “compelling first line” or something. That’s third draft stuff, not first draft. In first draft, or whatever it is you’re writing this month (some have called it zero draft), you don’t need to get it right. You need to get it written.
That’s so important, I’m going to write it again in bold.
You don’t need to get it right. You need to get it written.
You’ve had your whole life to write a novel “well.” This month, you’re going to write one quickly. So get writing!
Godspeed, Wrimos. I’m right there with you.
UGH- names! This year I’m not going to type filler names. My main characters are MC (main character), CB (chosen boy), and B2 (boy #2) Thank you replace function!
I know, Jane. I hate naming people! Plus, as an erotic romance writer, every novel removes at least two names from the pool of “names I might give my child some day.”