NaNoWriMo'23 Edition

On Tuesdays & Thursdays throughout November, you'll receive a helpful tip or trick to help you WIN NaNoWriMo. In December, this'll move to a weekly email, sent on Wednesdays.

We Made It! Halfway!

Whether you've reached 25k words or not, I know you've added words to your manuscript or done a BUNCH of editing to make your book better. It all depends on your goals for NaNoWriMo'23!

Today, I want to talk about how I celebrate the little wins--and we should all celebrate them.

Writing is HARD, friends! Whether you're writing nonfiction, fiction, or some combination of the two--creative nonfiction, anyone?--it's WORD to sit your butt in the chair and get the words on the page.

What do you do each time you reach a daily writing goal--whether it's 100 words or 5K words?

I visited developgoodhabits.com to offer up ideas in addition to what I do--which is play a mahjong hand or solitaire hand, spend 10 minutes dancing in my office, or chill out while I watch random cat videos on YouTube for 10 minutes. I also crochet and will complete a row, depending on the project (current project is wide & takes about 45 minutes to do a row...).

• Do a fun activity with someone you love (spouse, spawn, pets, friends, roommates, etc.).
• Watch a comedy video on YouTube/Netflix, etc.
• Visit a virtual museum.
• Watch a virtual concert (Tiny Desk Concerts, FTW! Wikipedia has a list of them with a link to the NPR source)
• Do arts/crafts that spark joy.
• Listen to a favorite podcast or start a new one from the beginning!
• Listen to music that motivates, energizes, or relaxes you based on how you feel after writing.
• Spend a set amount of time playing a video game.
• Sing! Check out YouTube's karaoke tracks!
• Read something--magazine articles, news, a blog, a few chapters from a book, etc.
• Watch an inspirational TED Talk.
• Work on a puzzle/do a crossword/complete a word search/play Wordle, etc.).
• Create a list of healthy food rewards.
• Use the fancy coffee or tea!
• Treat yourself to something you normally don't get.

• Get outside and enjoy nature--take a walk on a trail or watch wildlife.
• Make a fun or special meal for the larger milestones.
• Color or Zendoodle/Zentangle.
• Journal--especially if you've written a difficult scene.
• Take a shower/bath. Use the fancy soap/bath bombs/other supplies.
• Take a nap.
• Share on social media or in the Writing Buddies Slack.
• Use stickers in your planner or create a chart! Those foil stars are available in your stationery section at the grocery super cheap!

• Find something to add to your writing space that sparks joy--repurpose from elsewhere in your home or pick up the cute plant pot you've been eyeing that went on sale.
• Use fitness as a reward.

How do you reward yourself for meeting your writing goals? Send me an email or reply to this newsletter and let me know!

Until Tuesday, happy writing!

Wendee