Make NaNoWriMo Work for You!

Today is the first day of National Novel Writing Month. For many of us, that means we will be jumping feet first into a novel-writing project and ignoring our laundry, friends, and work. But what if you don’t write fiction? You can still use the energy and excitement of National Novel Writing Month to write more. Here’s how:

1. Write Nonfiction. Nina Amir founded Write Nonfiction in November (WNFIN) to encourage nonfiction writers to use the month to start and finish their book projects. Charlotte Frost is declaring this month Academic Book Writing Month (AcBoWriMo) for those who have an academic project looming over their head that they long to finish. Whatever kind of nonfiction you write, this could be your opportunity to capture the NaNoWriMo inspiration and finish that book!

2. Try Poetry. Though National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo) does not start until April, I’m all for breaking rules! Why not use November to write a poem a day. One year, a friend of mine wrote a haiku poem a day during November. But don’t be limited by one form of poetry—the goal is to get those ideas on paper, every day, for the entire month.

3. Blog. National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) started in November and now runs all year round. The goal is to post a blog every day for a month. So if you have always wanted to blog, this might be your chance to get into the habit of blogging regularly!

4. Query. If you are a working professional writer, the idea of giving up a whole month to write a book that you may never get paid for sounds ludicrous! So why not use the month to send out queries? What would happen if you wrote a query a day for the entire month? You may just increase your income!

5. Journal. If you are not quite ready to take on a project like writing a book, why not use the month for doing writing practice. Plan to write every single day of the month. If all you get stuck, make a list of:

• The people, events, and experiences you are grateful for.
• Your achievements.
• Your strengths and the stories behind them
• The best and worst and most embarrassing moments of your life!
• A list of 50-100 things you want to do before you die.

Now are you ready to NaNoWriMo? You can sign up to participate at the NaNoWriMo site. I’ll be offering tips and suggestions for NaNoWriMo every single day at my blog. And don’t forget: I’m still willing to send a postcard of encouragement to the first fifty people who email me their Write-A-Thon receipt. Happy NaNoWriMo!