There are 3 choices available to you if you are falling behind.
Many writers and would-be writers love November. That’s because this is National Novel Writer’s Month!
There is a challenge put out by NaNoWriMo to spend the 30 days of this month writing. The goal? 50,000 words. To meet this goal, you need to write 1667.67 words every day for the 30 days of November.
With my blogs, I tend to write at least 1000 words a day. But I choose not to count my blogs towards my NaNoWriMo word count. Instead, I apply only the words of fiction that I write.
Normally, I strive to write 1500 words of fiction a day. Adding another 167+ is no big deal, right?
Over on the NaNoWriMo site, they offer numerous handy tools to track your progress. There is a graph on the stats page to show you where you are with your overall progress and ability to achieve the 50,000-word count.
Over the past week or so, other matters have taken priority of my time. This includes my freelance gigs, going over the edits on my upcoming novel, and recording the audiobook of it. Thus, my writing time has been sacrificed.
As of this writing, I have written a total of 9274 words. That’s a decent number of words, right?
However – this is not where I should be at to stay on track. I should, as of today, be at 20,004 words.
This means I am falling behind. To catch up and make the goal, I need to write 10,730 words.
Since I am falling behind. What do I do now?
The way I see it, there are exactly 3 options.
Decide to quit
Simple as that, I can quit.
If you are facing this or something similar – there is NO SHAME whatsoever in quitting.
This is a big challenge. And numerous things can happen that will make it an unpleasant challenge. If trying to write 50,000 words in 30 days is painful, brings you no joy, and is making you miserable – by all means, please quit.
You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone. That includes yourself, FYI.
This is simply not for everyone. It is intended to be a fun challenge. But if you are having no fun, feeling stressed and pressured – then stop.
This is one of the few instances where Yoda is mistaken. There IS a try. If you tried and it didn’t work for you – that’s okay.
This should not be a source of pain and suffering. Please know I am proud of you just for trying.
Falling behind? Just keep swimming
I can ignore my word count. I can simply keep on keeping on and strive to do my writing.
Making my personal goal of 1500 words a day has been challenging lately. New freelance gigs – and the time it takes to edit and record my sci-fi book – are consuming my energy.
I alone know what my priorities are and/or must be. Hence, I set the date to publish the final book in the current story arc of Forgotten Fodder before Thanksgiving. Honestly, before Black Friday. Circumstances beyond my control made the work all happen now.
Thus, I choose what matters. Finishing the book I’m publishing – and the more immediate paying freelance work – take precedence.
You have a choice if you are falling behind. Like Dory in Finding Nemo says – “just keep swimming.”
Any writing you get done when you want to write is excellent. Even if you are falling behind on achieving the 50,000-word NaNoWriMo goal – keep at it.
Write for joy. Write because you enjoy doing it. Maybe you don’t make it – but you started something. Who knows where this could take you?
Get intense and get it done
The outline is right here. I know, chapter-by-chapter, where the book I am writing is going. Thus, I can put my head down, focus, and write.
I don’t need to write the 10,730-words needed to get back on track all at once. If I write 3000 words a day, I will get caught up in less than 10 days. Or, if I write 5000 words in a burst, I can catch up with another 3000 words a day over 4 days. This means I could write a total of 2500 words a day over 7 days and get caught up.
(Please note – math is not my strong suit. My numbers above might be off. The point remains the same – there are ways to get caught up during the rest of this month).
If you are still into NaNoWriMo, despite falling behind – and you want to make it – go for it! All you have to do is hunker down, make the time and write until you can’t.
You are capable of doing anything you set your mind to. Writing 50,000-words in 30 days is a unique challenge not for everyone. But if it excites you, and you are up to it – go for it!
The 3 options if you are falling behind
In conclusion, please allow me to sum this up.
If you are working on NaNoWriMo this year – and falling behind – you have 3 options:
- Accept that it’s okay to do so – and decide to quit.
- Accept you likely won’t finish and just keep at it – do the best you can.
- Focus, put in more time and effort, and get caught up to get it done.
Whatever you decide is ultimately right for you. So, if you need to quit, desire to keep going knowing you won’t make the goal, or push to finish – choose without shame.
Choose what’s best for you. Forgive yourself if you feel bad about whatever choice you make. Know that just making the effort was an incredible undertaking on your part.
Thank you for being part of my ongoing journey, for joining me, and for inspiring me and my craft.
This is the one-hundred and thirty-fifth article exploring the ongoing creative process. Please take a moment to check out the collection of my published works, which can be found here.
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