Fake It ‘Til You Make It: Finding the Time to Write (Even When You Don’t Have Any to Spare)

Camp NaNoWriMo is just around the corner! Now that March is here, we’re starting to think about gearing up for our next writing adventure. Today, NaNoWriMo participant Juliana Xavier shares a few tips on setting realistic goals and making time even if you don’t have any to spare:

Dear Wrimos,

Let’s start this post with a silly game, shall we? I’ll tell you a truth and a lie, all you have to do is tell me which is which! Ready? Here goes:

I have time to write this article.

I don’t have time to write this article.

Time’s up!

For those of you who guessed it was a trick question, you get a gold star! Here’s the thing: I both do AND don’t have time to write this article. And if you happen to be a creative person—as I’m sure you are—you know exactly why that is.

Camp NaNo is no different. Like many of you, I both DO and DON’T have time to participate in writing events. Not all of us are in a fortunate enough position to be freely creative whenever we want. We have bills to pay, we have mouths to feed. There ain’t nothing in this world for free. And NaNo participation doesn’t pay bills (yet!).

So how DOES one beat the odds stacked against them?

Well, if you haven’t guessed my theme yet, here it is: Fake it until you make it.

There will be days so wonderful, that you’ll find yourself writing well beyond your daily goal. In the same way that there will be days when the world seems to be falling apart, and writing will be the very last thing on your mind.

That doesn’t make you any less of a writer.

Writing makes you a real writer, even if you don’t do it all the time. The steps are simple: create that novel, join a cabin, show up even if it’s from time to time—and write!

Feed your muse some s’mores, tell your inner demons to take a hike (and hopefully get lost while they’re at it). If Camp ends up being too stressful, that’s ok! The important thing is that you tried.

Striking true balance means that you learn to take the good with the bad. Take care of yourself, don’t take too much on. Don’t make it a fight between unrealistic expectations vs reality. Learn to forgive yourself for the horrible first draft, and to cheerlead yourself into growing past it.

The best thing about Camp is that so much help is provided for you right off the bat. If 50K is too much for you, you can break down your goal into something smaller. Don’t feel that your goal has to be tied to a word count either. Plus you get a cabin full of participants just like you (I foresee some incredible friendship bracelets)!

Writing makes you a real writer, even if you don’t do it all the time. 

Before I end this, let me read you your horoscope: You are a storyteller. You know first-hand what it’s like to fight for the things that are important to you, but that aren’t necessarily needed for your survival. That’s why you’re a Camp NaNo hopeful! Whether this is your first time participating (welcome!) or your 50th (go you!), you understand that even if you don’t have time, that it’s important that you make time. You work hard to try and achieve your dreams, because deep down inside you know that only you can do what you do.

(If that wasn’t spot on, then it’s probably because you’re an ophiuchus sign, the mythical 13th sign of the zodiac.)

What I know for sure is that, no matter what your astrological sign is, you’re doing this for a reason. Life will go on getting fuller, busier and more chaotic… but at the same time you will go on getting harder, better, faster, stronger (someone please ban me from quoting music).

Did I have time to write this article? Nope. But I did it anyway. So write your novel come April, because you sure as heck got this!

Signed,

Your friendly neighborhood Wrimo participant.

Juliana Xavier is a writer, illustrator and sequential artist. SCAD alumna, all about that kid lit. Brazilian born but partially American grown. Works as a freelance artist and would love to draw your fantasy maps and book covers. Coffee is ok, but Thai bubble tea is the real MVP. Inkstress witch of the Writer Coven. Find her at: website, twitter, patreon. Like my writing? Buy me a ko-fi!  For inquiries, feel free to e-mail at hey@juliejubz.com

Top photo by rawpixel on Unsplash.