Finishing Strong: Last Words in a Manuscript

Finishing Strong: Last Words in a Manuscript

Hi Writers!

Make the most of Black Friday by putting black ink on your pages!

Hope all of you have a stupendous Thanksgiving and are excited for the final weekend of NaNo.

I reached 50K words the night before Thanksgiving. YAY! I started as NaNo Classic and finished as a Rebel. That’s right, I’m a rebel writer. I missed out on a prep exercise this year due to helping my son get well. That exercise gives me 5K-10K worth of words by the time I’m done. I saved the last 10K of words to do that exercise. Now, I’m ready to revise, add more dimension, depth, character motivation, and twists for the reader. My take away, do what you need to do in order to get you to the next phase of your writing.

Tips for Finishing Strong:

1. Write what you need to write to get you to the next phase of your writing.

2. Write about world building. For example, I wrote all of my world building elements (the last 10K words) and answered key questions that illuminate the world to me. It also helps me with character motivation and seeing how my character moves and navigates her world.

3. Write about your main character’s goals.

4. Make a list of the filler scenes that connect the plot points. Write those scenes.

5. Add transitions to your story.

These are some tips that can help you make your word count and win NaNo.

What are some of your tips that you’re doing or did that have helped you become successful?

You’ve got this! You can do it!!

XO,

Gayvin

Finishing Strong: Last Words in a Manuscript

NaNoWriMo: Writing Resources – Part 4

These writing resources are a great place to start, whether you’re planning on participating in NaNoWriMo or prepping for your manuscript or script. The following are some of my favorite resources as you get ready to make the plunge:

You’ve got this! XO

 

NaNoWriMo: Planning a Writing Schedule – Part 3

NaNoWriMo: Planning a Writing Schedule – Part 3

As you plan for NaNo, be thinking about your writing schedule this November. There are many different ways to figure out your work flow and schedule. In the free Preptober BFF Planner, I have two pages laid out where you can chart realistic times to write. You can also figure this out on a monthly calendar.

Whether in Step 5 in my planner or a calendar, you’ll be able to fill in the chart with your weekly activities. That will enable you to realistically see what time you have available to write. 

 

After that, I took it a step further. I looked at my writing patterns to decide what is realistic to write 50,000 words in one month.

Here is my sample writing pattern:

  • My min. word count when I write is 2,500 words
  • Sometimes I need 1 day off to plan. It helps me generate ideas and energy for a scene or chapter

Therefore, to complete 50,000 words in one month based upon my writing patterns, I will be successful if I write 20 days out of 30 (20 days x 2,500 words = 50,000 words).  That leaves me 10 days to think about story, character development, etc. Some days I will write more than 2,500 words. Those extra words will be a bonus.

What about your writing patterns?

If you like to write every day, NaNoWriMo states that you can write 1,667 words each day and reach your 50,000 word goal.

Your available time and writing habits may be different than the above samples. What is important is to think about what you need. Break down the facts of how you write, when you can write, and what you need to succeed.

You may have time to write in the morning, an hour at lunch and two hours after dinner. Some of you may have all day to write. You may have one day per week to write. Your writing schedule is individual. It’s based upon your needs and patterns.

Planning your schedule ahead of time can help you figure out your best course of action. A timeline can help you achieve your goal!