NaNoWriMo Motivation: The 4 Stages of Nanoing (part 1)

Ok--how are we doing? It's only Day 3, but I can guarantee some of you may be freaking out...are freaking out?

...DON'T WORRY...

I know, much easier said than done, but it's true. You're only in the first week and, though I hate to admit it, things will only get more difficult.

Gee thanks, Emilie. Aren't you supposed to sugar coat this? Tell us how fun Nano is?

Well, it is fun, but it's hard work too. I'm not going to lie to you and say things will go smoothly or will be easy, because they wont. But--they will come in stages. Being mentally prepared for those stages is half the battle.


The 4 Stages of Nanoing

Week 1 | Ignorance
I'll be honest to a fault here. Week 1 is about ignorance. And yes, it really is bliss. You have no idea what you're getting yourself into, but you're hopeful. Keep it that way.

Week 2 | Questioning
It's been a week. Things might have been touch and go there for a few days but you're into Week 2 and you start to wonder...What in the world did I get myself into? You will not be alone. The key to Week 2 is to realize that, once you move on to Week 3, you'll be half way there!

Week 3 | Confusion
Things aren't the way you expected. And I'm not talking about your Nano experience. Your novel has taken a few million drastic turns and you may not recognize it. Where did that space alien come from - wasn't this a western? Or what about that talking cow...does that mean this is speculative? (hehe just kidding). These are the beautiful things that happen when your brain is forced to be creative in a short amount of time with the rules taken away. Write it. Write all of it.

Week 4 | Chaos
Utter chaos breaks loose. You're running around the house yelling at your characters, drinking so much coffee you start to hallucinate (that's good for a least a few scenes) and on the verge of a permanent nervous twitch. But you're doing it. You're almost there, and you CAN hold on until November 30th because you WILL make the deadline.

**So, you're in Week 1. How are you feeling?**