Write a Novel in Just One Month? NaNoWriMo for the Busy Beijinger

NaNoWriMo is the short way to say National Novel Writing Month, when people all over the world commit to writing 50,000 words during November. When you sign up on the website, you'll receive encouraging emails, templates for success, and the opportunity to join virtual write-ins. Participation is free and opens new and seasoned writers to a large community of people all working towards the same goal.

I know what you’re thinking: There’s no way I can do NaNoWriMo. I can hardly keep my apartment straight between work and my social life, and you want me to write 50,000 words?

I get it. 50,000 words is a lot. Writing 1,667 words a day can feel unachievable. Nevertheless, I compiled a few tips for busy Beijingers who want to “win” NaNoWriMo and hit that 50k goal.

Over plan, but don’t overdo it

Read all the prep for inspiration, but don’t try to do everything. The simpler and clearer your prep pages, the better. I watched hours of NaNoWriMo videos last year and took note of what might work for me. There are different writing templates for every type of writer. Instead of cramming your notebooks full of outlines and plot points and character sheets, just ask yourself where you find challenges, and how you can move past them.

For instance, in normal months I stink at meal prep, so that is a whole page in my NaNo journal. By preparing for meals in advance, I am able to take more time to write. I also like Neil Gaiman’s advice to keep a “compost” page, where I add thoughts on the project that might not make sense at the moment but could grow into better ideas with time. 

Make your goals visual

You know those fundraisers that show you how much money has been raised in what looks like a laboratory tube? Get a big poster board. Make one of those. If you're feeling extra artsy, decorate it and add personalized reward tiers. Set a timer for your writing sprints and turn it into a ritual: The timer goes off, you celebrate by coloring your progress into the tube every day. Watching your progress day by day is a reward in itself!

Be consistent and write every day

When people suggest a consistent time to write during NaNoWriMo, they mean that you need to sit down at your desk or favorite coffee shop at the exact same time every day so you don’t get to bedtime, realize how tired you are, and just put off your word count until tomorrow.

I block off days when I know my energy will be sucked away by outside forces. Then I can see where I need to overcompensate on my word count. Even if you can’t complete your daily word count within that time, maintain the ritual for some consistency.

Use apps to write on the go

Before my kids were in school, I couldn’t have an exact time every day. I knew that naptime was my golden hour, but that time of day varied a bit. Sometimes it was in the car, sometimes at home, and that is when a notes app on my phone is my savior. No matter where I am, I can write. I will add it to the manuscript at a later time, but meanwhile, those thoughts can weave out of my head and into an auto-saved document. I also use dictation apps to get a lot of thoughts out of my head at once.

Make a vision board

Vision boards are popular for a reason. They should evoke a mood. You should get lost staring at them, understanding exactly how you want your readers to feel when they read your writing. Even with nonfiction, there is a journey through the chapters.

I highly suggest printing the images to give yourself a physical vision reference to carry with you when you need a jolt from reality to a fantasy world of your own creation. Don’t let your visions only live on a webpage, or you’re more likely to get distracted than focused when looking at them.

Get out of your apartment every once in a while

You need it. Attend writing groups to keep yourself accountable, or just have a standing date with a friend. If you aren’t going to fall behind on your word count goals, secure one day per week that you leave the house at an appointed time. Beijing has a local NaNoWriMo group that stays pretty active. Search “Beijing Writers NaNoWriMo” on WeChat to request an add.

Have a “Shiny!” Collection

This is where you keep all those big and beautiful ideas that you must outline in detail right now or they’ll leak out of your head, never to be seen again. They aren’t directly related to your NaNo project, so they don’t count towards your 50k goal, but they’ll nag you until you write them. Nothing is a better procrastinator than a new idea. Dump it onto this page and get back to your word count.

Four eyes are better than two

Find a fellow NaNo buddy and set up a time to tag-team. The most important thing to remember is that Nanowrimo is a global community, and everyone in that community wants you to succeed – and so does everyone in your life. If you feel worn down, be sure to seek encouragement from friends and family who you know will have your back.

READ: Beijing Lights: My Days as a Child Are Slipping Away So Fast

Photos: Pexels, UNSPLASH, Canva, Cindy Marie Jenkins

A version of this article originally appeared on The Writer’s Atelier blog in October 2019. It also appeared in our sister magazine, beijingkids.