NaNoWriMo is just around the corner. I love what @reneenouveau is writing and organizing to help writers embark on National Novel Writing Month (November). I've participated in NaNoWriMo twice, both times working on epic fantasy novels that got wildly out of control. Both times I quit about halfway in. I found it overwhelming trying to stick to a writing schedule while keeping up with the other routine areas of my life.

I have been encouraged to share some prompts with you for NaNoWriMo. I'll be doing that in upcoming posts. Today I want to tell you some of what I have learned about creating and achieving writing goals beginning with my practice of writing with failure in mind. That may sound unconventional due to its negativity. I promise it's more about managing expectations and setting achievable goals.

In list form, here is what I've learned:

1. Set smaller goals.

Lots of people get caught up in the daily word count for NaNoWriMo, and for good reason. The goal is to write a book, and it's a lot of words daily, but it doesn't have to be a lot of words all at once. Consider grazing. One tactic I use is keeping "notes" on my phone or using voice to text, and then taking a minute in the evening to bring the full word count together. It's easier to chip at the goal to meet it than to find enough time to hit it in one go.

2. Don't write a novel.

Choose poetry. Or blogging. There are plenty of Write One of These Per Day challenges in November. The goal is to get writing. If you aren't motivated to write a novel, figure out what you are motivated to write. If it's poetry, maybe focus on enjambment or verb choices each day to strengthen your skill in that area while developing your writing practice.

3. Read lots.

When is this not a tip for writing and writing well? Reading keeps the creative juices flowing and feeds your muse. Reading good writing that you feel drawn to can and does improve your work.

4. Prepare for writer's block.

It hits, and there's nothing so devastating to a word count goal as creative immobility. Keep a list of writing prompts handy, an outline, or inspirational smells/textures/objects handy for when you can't quite get into flow.

5. Count every word.

Hit delete or don't, but count even the junk you throw out as you go. Is it cheating? Probably in the formal word goal circles, but it doesn't change that you wrote the words just like if you remembered to buy stamps and it wasn't on your to do list that day, it still got done.

6. Write with a buddy.

Accountability is everything, and a teammate can call you out when you might otherwise cave. Check out the first link in this post.

7. Have rewards in place.

Chocolate can get me to accomplish just about anything. A massage would get me to ten thousand words in a snap. Consider what motivates you and set yourself up for something great, from a hike to a new book to dinner out.

8. Practice forgiving yourself.

You might fall short of your goals. That's okay. The important part is to keep trying.

Write on!

image via pixabay.com