November is National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo for short. The goal that many people take up is to write a 50,000 word novel in just one month. Sound crazy? Sound impossible? In 2015, 431,626 inspiring writers participated, and this year the number looks to be close to half a million people.
As someone who regularly participates in NaNoWriMo, I know that to reach 50,000 words in 30 daysrequires me to write roughly 1665 words a day, seven days a week. During November, I strive to make this happen. While I don’t always reach my daily word count, I keep trying by writing every day.
When you have a large writing project like a dissertation or a book, the only way to get it done is to write. Write frequently. Write daily. Write when you have time. Write when you don’t have time. Write when an idea takes you by surprise (have a pad of paper and pen or tablet with you at all times). Write when you wake up or write before you go to bed–or both. Just write!
Take a lesson from NaNoWriMo and give yourself a word count goal. Such goals help to get the job done!