Every November is fraught with busyness...whether it is the holidays, or flu season, or performances, etc. There is always something. Excuses are what hold us back though. So, let's identify our worst case scenarios and brainstorm ways around them before the month hits us full gale force!
I have a few health issues that strike any old month, not just November...namely migraines. I have an immuno-deficiency sort of thing brought about by a staph infection I had eons ago...so I always seem to catch whatever bug is going around, cuz my antibodies are always fending off something or another. Usually it manifests as migraines though, and I know I am good for about 3-4 very down days every month--and that's a good month.
I also have a 4-day business trip with an additional 3 or 4 days intense work where I know I will be hard-pressed to come up with the requisite 1667 words per day this November.
My counteraction will be to aim for 2300 words per day in the first couple of weeks. If I can hold to that until the 15th, it'll take me just shy of 35k.
In the meantime...even if I have a very bad day (during NaNo, I'm on autopilot. I've been known to write even very sick with a migraine...and the results are, um, interesting! But, somehow sorta fit enough to keep the story going. I just usually end up rewriting the really bad stuff...) I plan to make my goal at a MINIMUM 500 words a day.
I write in 10-15-20 minute snatches during NaNo. I'll be writing on my breaks at work. Any time I can get my fingers on a keyboard. I'm saving everything to Google Docs this year, so it doesn't matter where I am and what computer I'm on.
Because...here's the other whammy...COMPUTER issues. It seems like every other November I have MAJOR issues with my computer. Like some unseen force is rooting for my NaNo failure. Last year it was the AC cord...I still don't have my entire novel from last year...EEEP. Save, back up your stories...day by day...if you can. If you don't use Google Docs, email the story to yourself every couple of days.
What other disasters can you foresee and avert?
EDIT: I'll be spending some time with the awesome Wrimos in Kewanee/Henry & surrounding areas too. So, worst case scenario is that I get lost in a corn maze somewhere between Peoria & there! hee
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Cheri in Peoria
2004-2008 winner
