The Wednesday Writing Worktable: JuNoWriMo Week 1

I'm documenting my JuNoWriMo experience through here. I started off the whole experience with the kick-off at midnight on June 1st. I've been feeding off the energy of the participants and focusing my energy on this. I'm off to a good start. Not ahead of the pack, but definitely getting it done. 

At the end of Day 3 of JuNoWriMo, my total was 9,575 words, which is 19% of the goal of 50k. But, I'm reaching for more than that. I'm trying to actually finish my WIP, which will definitely be more than 50k words.

Here's some things that have been helpful for me so far:

• First, and foremost, I have to give props to my incredible Engineer. Even though I know he's swamped at work and staying up even after little one goes down to do his work, he's helping with dinner and cleaning and taking care of the little one. During the day, I'm able to get little snippets of writing done here and there, but when he comes home, I can actually sit down and do nothing but write. I thank him so much for that. It means the world to me to have that solid time, even if for only an hour or two.

• Next, when I actually do sit down to write, I have everything opened up for easy access. For instance, for this WIP, I have websites on voodoo, books near me, my plot structure, subplots, and characters all open and ready to go.

• Then, of course, I write. Really write. I try to only have on music in background and just go at it.

• When I lack the motivation and focus on my own, I turn to #JuNoWriMo sprints. Going to that hashtag and following along with sprints really pushes me to stay focused. I don't just go when I'm struggling. It's a lot of fun, and there is a great community of people. Also, this morning for example, I was struggling describing how my MC's love interest smells. A bunch of peeps chimed in offering suggestions. It was great and I was able to move past it. So, definitely utilize the hashtag, and as I so often need to be reminded, type the hashtag with everything you write so peeps can follow easily.

• Remember to keep a tally of your numbers as this alone is a great motivator to look at your goal and always be aiming for something. They have a great tool at JuNoWrimo here

Even if you fall behind, just do your best. You'll surprise yourself. Next week, I'm going to talk about avoiding and overcoming writer's block. It's something everyone faces at some time, but you can push through it quickly.

In the words of JuNoWriMo, just write. 

Lots of <3,