Chart a Course to Explore Your Novel

Are you missing the energy of Camp NaNoWriMo’s April session and can’t wait for it to start again in July? If you want to continue your noveling adventures, participant Nadia Svoboda shares some tips to help you keep writing in the “off season”:

I hope this blog post finds you well rested and properly caffeinated (did anyone else recently re-discover the awesomeness that is iced coffee? Because I did and I know it’s going to be my summer staple)

We are well into the “off season” right now. If you’re also in the northern hemisphere, the cold dreary days of November seem like a distant memory, and the lush, hot days of summer are just beginning. It’s a great time of year to get outside, go exploring, meet up with friends, and yes… write your novel.

If you like to read outside on a patio, in your backyard, or under the shade of a tree in your local park, why not switch it up and try writing instead?

Bring your laptop (or a pen and notebook) along with you the next time you’re enjoying your downtime outside. If that’s not available to you, open a window and let the warm breeze and sunshine in! Let it inspire you to write—a short story, a poem, a zine, or work on another creative project. Pick up that old story you set aside and look at it with fresh eyes. Keep your creative spark going.

It’s undeniable that there’s a lot of literary magic in the month-long events arranged by NaNo HQ, but these official events are not the only time you can pursue your passion. You don’t have to wait until the next Camp NaNoWriMo or November event to start working on your next project, or continue one that you’ve been keeping on the back burner. (Please don’t actually set your manuscript on fire. That’s ill advised). Just start writing again and see where it takes you.

I think that the best part about NaNoWriMo is the community that continues to be active every month that isn’t November. I’ve been casually chatting with an informal group of amazing writers in the forums for going on three years. Every month we start a new thread and many of us set goals each and every day to continue making writing an important part of our lives.

“Be daring and adventurous as you chart a course towards literary accomplishment.”

Fortunately, this is something anyone can do! It can be as simple as saying “I want to write x words today” or “I will work at my desk for x minutes”. Let your mind wander freely and don’t be afraid to experiment or try something new. Be daring and adventurous as you chart a course towards literary accomplishment. And if that’s not your story style, stick with what works.

Writing might be a primarily solitary activity, but it can also kind of be a team sport. And teamwork helps make the dream work.

So message that old NaNo pal on the social platform of your choice, give yourself a refresher course on NaNoWriMo’s awesome resources during the “I Wrote a Novel, Now What?” months, and keep creating! The world needs your story.

Nadia Svoboda (NaNoWriMo username Panickedfish)  is a writer, reader, practicer of yoga, bunny mom, vegetarian, and travel enthusiast. Though she’s not published any of her books (yet) she is enjoying the journey to all the places—real or imaginary—that writing takes her. She will be participating in NaNoWriMo for the 10th time this November. Until then, you may find her geocaching in your local woods.

Top image licensed under Creative Commons from Chris Blakely on Flickr.