National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) ends on Thursday. That means you have to figure out how to finish a novel . . . in three days.
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first—you might not make it.
The good news is that it’s not impossible. With the right strategy and enough determination, you can finish writing your book and win NaNoWriMo.
10 Steps to Finish a Novel in Three Days
Wondering what the right strategy is for how to finish a novel? Follow these ten steps
1. Clear your schedule.
Take all three days off from work or school. You need to make the time to write.
2. Review your old writing.
Review short stories/false starts/last year’s NaNoWriMo attempt and every other unpublished thing you’ve ever written to see if it can be re-appropriated into your current attempt.
3. Outline your novel.
This may be controversial, but outline whatever is left of your novel. If you haven’t started yet—outline the whole novel.
There is a longstanding controversy between “planner/plotters” and “pantsers.” The former plans her novel in advance. The latter writes by the seat of her pants.
People have very strong opinions about which method is better. But if you're struggling to finish your book in a matter of days, this might be the perfect time to try outlining, even if you normally wouldn't.
Not sure what happens next? Try adding one of these word count-boosting scenes to your story.
4. Boost your energy.
Prepare an energy boost. For some, that means scheduling a quick run or yoga session. For others it's buying a 24-pack of Red Bull.
Whatever helps boost your energy, anticipate needing it at some point and get it ready.
5. Get rid of distractions.
Delete all social media apps from your phone and alert loved ones that you will be MIA for three days. They should only make contact in case of an emergency.
6. Set goals.
Set a word count goal for each day. If you don’t reach it the first or second day, adjust.
7. Embrace imperfection.
Throw away all expectations for yourself. The first draft is going to be terrible. Accept it.
8. Write.
Day one, write.
9. Write.
Day two, write.
10. Finish your novel (that is, write!).
Day three, write until you’ve completed your novel.
You Can Finish Your Book
Feeling the pressure of the impending deadline? Don't worry! There's still time, and you CAN definitely finish your book by the end of NaNoWriMo.
That said, I'll add a caveat: although these ten steps will give you a huge boost, success is not guaranteed. You'll have to do the hard work of putting the words on paper.
Even so, don't quit. Your NaNoWriMo goal impacts so much more than just this one book. And even if you don't make it to 50,000 words, you still have something to celebrate: you wrote all the way through November to the very end, and you're this much closer to a finished first draft.
We're all cheering you on. Good luck!
Are you participating in NaNoWriMo? How’s it going? Let us know in the comments.
PRACTICE
To show solidarity with our NaNoWriMo-ers, today we’re all going to write under pressure. Write 300 words about one of the following topics in fifteen minutes or less:
- Thanksgiving
- Babies
- Skyscrapers
When the timer beeps, stop! Then, share your writing in the comments. Be sure to leave feedback for your fellow writers, too!
Very helpful and I need it; however, I think it’s considered “cheating” to re-appropriate past writing into current word counting document. A good idea for after NANO
Desperate times call for desperate measures! 😉
It would be cheating to cut and paste and claim to have written the words, but the goal is to WRITE 50k so retelling the idea in new words would be okay. I wonder if most of us don’t put stories/scenes into our novels from incidents we heard/read elsewhere.
And you can always stick a writer in your novel and have him retell, in his own words, a story you — or everyone — know(s) well.
Good advise for those that are chasing that magic ending feeling. I’ve had a few years when I’ve reached this stage even after reaching 50k. This year, I went with a simpler outline at the start so hit the ‘winner’ target on Day 22 and finished the draft novel on Day 26. I’m now working through and adding (or removing) the stand-out errors.
I set my timer and typed furiously — and managed to have five of the fifteen minutes for editing. Total 470 words for my take on the Skyscraper prompt.
“Back again, Flutter.” Grayson made a wide loop and landed beside his mate. “The new place looks good so far, though I’d be quite happy if they’d stop right now. It’s a comfortable height for us; if they go much higher we won’t be able to sit on the roof at all.”
Flutter cooed her disapproval. “These humans seem to have gone mad with wanting to hover up in the clouds. It’s ridiculous. Give me a nice twelve-storey building any day.”
The two of them sat on the neon sign for the new Hotel at the corner of Franklin street and watched the crane lifting up even more steel girders.
“It’s going to be a dandy when it’s done,” said Grayson. “I’ve put our name in for a light fixture on the eleventh floor. As you say, no point trying for a penthouse. It does looks like this is another one that’s going up into the clouds. We’d be dizzy all day long looking down from that height.”
“And the danger to our fledglings up that high.”
“I was along with several others on this reconnaissance flight. We especially checked out those fancy outside floodlight fixtures. They’re just the ticket, dear. Far enough from the wall to build our nests behind and they’ll keep our toes warm in winter.Hope these humans don’t harbor some silly notion about shutting lights off at night.”
Flutter bobbed her little head up and down. “The location couldn’t be better! Right next to the park. But I sure wish that old man would come again. You know, the one who always filled the brim of his hat with birdseed and encouraged us sit on his shoulders to eat it out.
Grayson agreed. “I do miss him. Walking breakfast bar, he was. I wonder why he never comes anymore? Well, anyway, there are always kiddies dropping their bags of popcorn. I just wish we lived father away from those dratted peregrines. Since they’ve taken over the roof of the Delta Inn life has been a constant struggle for survival for us downtown pigeons.”
Flutter shuddered. “Let’s not even think about them.” They’d already lost a number of relatives to peregrine falcon attacks.
“Bloodthirsty birds,” Grayson squawked. “Wish the airplanes flying over would take every last one of them out.”
He rubbed Flutter’s cheek with his own. “I do think we’re going to be quite cozy in our new digs. And it’s always interesting to watch the traffic below. We’ll just have to be sure and get a sheltered spot to build our nest.” They were both quiet a moment remembering the high winds that blew their nest away last year, grieving for the four almost-hatched eggs they lost.
In spite of the new homes humans were constantly building for them, living downtown was always perilous.
nice
http://www.emetechnologies.com/industrial-training-in-chandigarh/6-months-mechanical-engineering-training-in-chandigarh-&-mohali.php
Thanks Monica its all over.I was at 31011 the night before the final day. I dug to another computer I had been using found a ton of stuff. That bought me up to 48766.I needed 1234 words to go, done and dusted . I went to bed knowing I had done it. The USA is 12 hours behind Thailand so on Dec 1st early in the morning I positioned my laptop near my neighbors fence to use their Wifi and sent everything. Not pretty Im pleased because 50000 words is a beast to manage all the characters plots and timelines. I can see the wisdom of belting a novel. If its a new experience there is no other way but to go go go.