Roadtrip to NaNo: Banishing the Fog of Writer's Block

Happy NaNo Eve! Our Road Trip to NaNoWriMo ends in San Francisco, where volunteer Municipal Liaison Kayla shares pro-tips to help you smash through writer’s block: 

Greetings, fair readers and writers of NaNoLand. My name is Kayla and today I come to you from the City by the Bay—San Francisco. If there is one thing this city is known for, it’s the hills—the ups and downs of pavement that are often covered in fog that rolls in from the Pacific.

And what a terrific metaphor for National Novel Writing Month’s reckless writing abandon! 

There are many times when we are struggling up the hills just trying to figure out which word, any word, we could possibly type next. Other times, we are coasting downhill and the words flow easily. Sometimes a fog sets in and we wonder why we ever started this crazy endeavor in the first place.

Now, I am not a story planner. I’m a “pantser”, who opens a blank document on Day One and flies by the seat of my pants. But there are ways I like to deal with the roller coaster of November.

Filler Stories

I like to prepare some filler stories that I might write about on days when the hills are very steep and my main plot is just not happening.

For these, I find inspiration all over the place. I use famous landmarks, local history, stories from friends, snippets overheard on the bus— anything really. Any little tidbit of information or historical anecdote might spark a few hundred words on those days when ideas have run dry and word counts cannot be coaxed.  

Incentives

Yes, I like to bribe myself with various rewards along the writing journey. Personally, I enjoy coffee bribes myself (and San Francisco is known for its coffee shops) but you can customize these to your own liking.

Reached your word count for the day? Have a cookie! Maybe you have just completed a scene? I think you deserve a walk to get some fresh air. Knowing there is a little treat at the end of the tunnel may be the lantern to get you through the fog.

Have Fun!

It may seem straightforward but it is surprisingly easy to forget in times of difficulty and writer’s block. Tell family and friends about your journey—sometimes, hearing their support and encouragement is the perfect pick-me-up during the month ahead.

That’s all from the foggy city. I hope these tips were helpful to you, Wrimos. Best of luck in November and don’t let the hills get you down!

Kayla Trail is from the San Francisco Bay Area but is now living in Seattle. She discovered NaNoWriMo in college and has never looked back. This will be her fifth year participating and her third year as an ML. When it is not November, she makes a living sailing around with kids and volunteering in museums.

Top photo by Flickr user walkingsf.