You are more than halfway there but you’re feeling the burn. This post is for you.
This weekend rather than gather the ever growing NaPo statistics, I thought I’d go for motivation.
Whether this is the first time you have attempted 30 poems in 30 days or if it’s old hat you reach a point where you want to down tools and run away. This is natural. Work through the burn and carry on. If that’s too much, distract yourself for a bit until you are ready to face another challenge. Skip a day or two if you have to. You may find time another day to tackle more than one prompt to catch up or decide to let them go. I have done all of the above since I started the challenge back in 2014.
Writing IS a challenging process and anyone who has attempted to write a novel (or even a novella) will tell you that motivation can be a challenge. As is complete loss of confidence. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Not everyone is a pianist – but walk up to a piano, hit a key and you made a note.
Whatever you do – know that it’s right for you and forgive yourself. If you want to forge ahead but you feel you’re flailing try these tips:
- See the BIG picture
- Are you writing a collection and hoping to create some extra poems through NaPoWriMo?
- Are you just doing the challenge to have fun?
- What do you need/want/hope to get out of it?
- Perhaps you don’t have a big picture – create one now.
- Divide and Conquer
If you following Maureen’s site the prompts always come with rich resources and poems. I always approach each day in chunks, I do it chronologically but sometimes mix it up.
- Divide into three sections (Featured poem(s)/ Featured Journal/ Prompt)
- Spend a chunk of time on each throughout the day.
- Think about your BEST TIME
As writers some of us are more creative in the morning, others late at night. There will be days you are time poor and busy, be flexible, adjust. If this means writing on your phone or a post-it note, or recording an audio note – then do it.
- Choose the best time of day for you to write.
- Change it up when you can – you will be surprised how different free writing becomes.
- Situate
- Try writing in different environments. This could be inside your house or out in public.
- Find somewhere you would never write. Write.
- Read, Read, Read
- Visit the participant’s sites and have a read around.
Remember NaPoWriMo is not about being perfect, it isn’t about editing. You will create a bundle of poems which would not otherwise exist, you will know of more poets and journals by the end of April and you will have some material ready to edit as we head towards June!
And most of all HAVE FUN!
awritersfountain 