Nanowrimo 2021: Over Halfway

 

We've passed the halfway point of Nanowrimo 2021 - how are you getting on?

In my last Nano post, I admitted that I was behind on my word count for the month and I'm afraid to say I'm still playing catch-up. But I'm still writing, still adding to my word count, and that's the important bit in my opinion.

I found myself struggling this week, even when I did have the time to sit and work on my book. I've blogged before about writing in 15-minute bursts and decided to put this into practice to see if it would help. I tweeted about it, to make myself accounantble, and off I went.

✅ 15-minute burst No.1

✅ 15-minute burst No.2

✅ 15-minute burst No.3

✅ 15-minute burst No.4

✅ 15-minute burst No.5

Writing in short bursts has really helped today and I've managed to reach my 2,000 words goal - total word count for the day = 2,193 🥳#NaNoWriMo

— Jennifer Joyce (@Writer_Jenn) November 15, 2021

I set my timer and managed to write just over 400 words in the 15 minutes. So I figured if I did 4 more 15-minute bursts, I should be able to reach 2,000 words. It seems ridiculous - 5x15mins=2,000 words? Nah. It can't work. But it did! And so I've been writing in 15-minute bursts for the rest of the this week. I don't always have time for 5 lots, but I'm much more productive in the time I do have. I'm no longer staring at the screen or wandering off to Twitter or Instagram.

My goal for today was to reach 20,000 words and with my 15-minute bursts, I managed to leap over the milestone. This book is getting there, one word at a time.

 

A Nanowrimo 2021 Update

 

It's been just over a week since the start of this year's Nanowrimo - how are you getting on?

I'm going to be honest: I'm behind on my word count already. But life sometimes gets in the way and I am plodding along, adding bits and pieces to my word count when I can. And I've reached the 10,000 words mark, which needs celebrating.

I've taken part in two online write-ins over Zoom with my local Nano writing group, which has definitely helped to increase my word count. I've got another one tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it. I love the community spirit of Nano and it's great to catch up with everyone and see how they're getting on with their projects.

Ready, Set, Nano!

It's the 1st November, which means only one thing: it's time to Nano.

This is the third time I'm going to attempt Nanowrimo and although I feel like I'm prepared with my chapter plans and my Pinterest boards and my character questionnaires, I know it's going to be a challenge. But I'm trying to not put too much pressure on myself, because I want to enjoy the next month. It's going to be intense, but writing and creating stories should be fun.

My plan is to write 2,000 words for six days of the week to reach the 50,000 words, but life sometimes throws obstacles in our way so I'm not going to fret if I don't reach any of my milestones (though I will absolutely give myself a massive pat on the back for every one I do reach).

For the past couple of years, Nanowrimo has meant trying to reach that 50k goal, but for me, this year is going to be about making a start on Book 16 and enjoying being part of the Nano writing community. I loved all the Zoom sessions I had with my local group last year, and I took that away with me more than the word count.

So, I hope to reach the 50k during November, but I'm not heaping the pressure on myself. And with that in mind, I'm going to dive in to Nano2021. Let's do this!