National Novel Writing Month (known at NaNoWriMo for short) takes place each November and I participated this year.

The idea behind the project is that to ‘win’ you write 50,000 words in 30 days.

Is there a prize?

The prize is that you have the basis of a manuscript.

The prize is that delicious feeling of achievement.

The prize is knowing you’re halfway to a finished product.

Priceless!

NaNoWriMo – The Results!

If you sat down for even one writing session, then you are not heading to the dance-off! That writing session means you have a higher word count that you did before. It doesn’t matter how many words you wrote, or how bad they were, what matters is that you’re on your way to lifting that Glitterball!

Did I ‘win’? Yes I did. I wrote 43,844 words. I didn’t hit my 50,000 mark and although I’m a little disappointed, I’m also thrilled that I am just over halfway in producing that ever-elusive first draft of my next novel.

Stress Levels

I got off to a good start and banged out 15,000 words in the first week – Score! But then the other bits of my life started to interfere.

I had a few more kids’ school activities to get involved with, my other business needed my attention and ill health reared its ugly head.

All of these meant I had to take time away from the office (i.e. my local Caffe Nero!) which had a knock-on effect on my word count.

At first this stressed me out because I was so desperate to get that word count down and get my 50k badge at the end of the month. I’d be very proud to post about that!

However, I had to remind myself of what I teach others – you can only write what you can, when you can! I scheduled in the times I could work on my draft, sat down to do the work at those times and as a result my word count kept mounting and I was proud to know I was working hard.

The important thing was that I turned up when I said I would and wrote the words I said I’d write.

Challenges

Each morning I sat down to write, I kept a log of how I was feeling. My emotions varied wildly! Some days I couldn’t wait to drop the kids off at school, head to Caffe Nero and get started. I was excited about what was going to happen next in my story.

Other days I lingered in the school grounds, nervous to go to my desk because I had no idea what I was going to write about. Once there I’d order my coffee, take my time to unpack my stuff, and remember an urgent social media post I had to write!

To calm my anxiety I’d jot a few words down in my log book. hen I’d read the previous days work, and out of the blue I’d know how a conversation would continue, or how my protagonist could get themselves into more hot water and – boom! – I was off!

Ah, the relief that I wasn’t going to have to sit there for an hour looking busy when really I was panicking inside!

My Log Book

1/11/19

I’m nervous about starting a new book. Although I have basic premise, it’s scary to sit down and do the actual work. What if my mind goes blank or none of my ideas turn out to be any good? I don’t have anything else on the back burner.

6/11/19

Today I was excited to sit at my desk. The words flowed nicely.

7/11/19

After a great day yesterday, I’m nervous again. I have no idea about what to write!

19/11/19

I’m less excited about today because yesterday was a bit tough and although I know the direction I want to take the story in, it doesn’t yet feel enough for a full m/s.

Emma’s NaNoWriMo 2019 Log Book

So, did you win at NaNoWriMo this year?

I’m betting you did. I’m betting you’re going to have a think about what worked for you this year and what you’d like to do better next year. I’m betting it’s confirmed just how badly you want to write your novel and that it really is a dream you want to see come to fruition.

Me too!

Shall we do it again next year?