I am writing this post on November 30th, but sitting at 19k, I realize am not going to hit even the halfway point in NaNoWriMo this year.

It's the first year I've failed as "Roxy" after five straight wins. Even more wins if you count my now dead persona.

It's surreal and hard to swallow. Especially after I started out on November 1st with 5k.

This November kicked my real life ass. Between hubby pulling extra time a state away for his new job, the house needing work, the car needing work, and bills popping up out of nowhere, I struggled. Add in extra hours at my evil day job, and some minor health issues, and my whole month was spent in emergency management.

My morning routine flew out the window. My life revolved around cooking for the family because of no money or time to eat out, and taking vitamin C like there was no ​tomorrow, because there was no option for me to get sick. 

However, this month was not a wash or a fail by any stretch of the imagination. I did a lot of really cool things this month. And I learned a lot! Which is what I want from any NaNoWriMo adventure. 

What did I learn? Here are my Top 5.

1. I found out daily double posts are not realistic. I was able to keep up for a couple weeks, but it wasn't realistic to blog, post, and write on an every day schedule. I've done it in the past, but my home life then was very different than it is now, and I need to rework my expectations. I realized how important my mental health is. And I found that taking the time I needed to not break down, was vital.

2. I learned I really like live-streaming and being on video. I only did one live "write-in" but I enjoyed the hell out of it. I liked talking on camera, and it's something I didn't realize about myself. So I have a new direction to explore.

3. I learned that while I can plot, it's harder for me to adjust on the fly when I have a plot written down. So until I can stick to a plot as written, plotting and fast-drafting together doesn't work well for me. Whether or not this plot style I've tried will net less time in edits still remains to be seen, but I'm going to get some writing done after this post. If I finish a book in two months that requires half the editing of a fast draft written in one...well...hell, it's worth the extra time.

4. I learned how much my hubby pimps my writing when I'm not around. This was one of those weird moments that spurred me to keep working on my manuscript. Hubby's new job takes him on the road a lot and when he's home I try to make it a point to spend some time with him. Which took away from the writing, but my own HEA beats any book ending. He told me about how his work conversation with colleagues turned into him sharing my pen name and some book info. (PS, if you're here because of my hubby, I appreciate it. Hit me up if you want a signed paper copy. I have extras for sale.)

5. I learned that winning or losing NaNoWriMo doesn't define me as a writer. This should have been obvious, but it surprised me that I needed to learn this lesson the most. I am a huge proponent of NaNoWriMo, and I wouldn't change the opportunities and the friends it's afforded me. BUT, I also think it was good for me to not hit my 50k this month. Deadlines are valuable, but it's more important to me now to write a book worth putting up for sale. Could I have written 50k this month? Yes. Would it have been a work I was proud to publish? With the stress and mental fatigue I  was dealing with...not a chance in hell. 


There has been a lot of talk among people (I'm not naming names. No. Not even in DMs) who are profitable in this business. These are people who are using ghostwriters and only working hard on the first 10-20% of their books, because that's all they need to do to sell them. I don't think that could ever be me. And maybe that means I won't get to live off my book sales, but some things are more important than money to me, and integrity is one of those things.

My books might not ever hit a list, but I hope I've made people smile with my stories. I've had authors and editors I respect in this business compliment my voice and story-telling. 

Through my journey so far, I've learned I'm an author. I've been published and reviewed, and no one can take that away from me. Not even a NaNoWriMo loss. 

I'm off to write and take some of what I've learned with me. 

Did you participate in NaNoWriMo? Did you hit your purple bar? What did you learn from this process? I'd love to hear about it.

~Roxy

If you haven't noticed by my lack of blogging lately, I have been hiding out from the interwebs. Life threw me for a real loop and I'm working hard to get my feet back under me. But I am surrounded by a fantastic group of authors and friends, and because we all know by now, (I've said it enough this month, I know. I'll shut up soon.), NaNoWriMo is a time to try new things.

I had a small tripod and a mediocre cell phone, so I tried hosting an online write in, in my NaNoWriMo writers group.

Why not publicly, you ask? Um...it was a stay at home day, and I didn't want to put on makeup. The only reason you get the re-creation pic below is because of photo editing. My eye bags and lack of makeup need help this early in the morning. And frankly, I'm not putting on makeup to take one pic for this blog. I love, y'all. But not enough to attempt eyeliner before a full cup of coffee.


What did I learn from my first live video? Well...let me break it down.

1. FB live video has a delay. I loaded up the FB page to see if my video was actually showing up, and there was a good 10-15 second delay between what I was saying and what was showing up.

2. Avoid front-facing cameras if you need to show anything with words on it. So if you are going to be showing off a book or cute items with quotes, use your rear-facing camera. The FB live feed allows you to line everything up before you start broadcasting, so you have time to line up your shot. 

3. Selfie rules apply. Any selfie addict knows, you need to find your angle. Don't set up a camera below your line of sight. If you're using your laptop, prop that bitch up. The higher the camera, the fewer chins you have. #protip I might not be the most professional videographer, but I know that if you want that good look, setting your video up just off to the side to allow for 3/4 profile, and slightly above my line of sight, works well for me.

​4. You viewing yourself counts as a "watch". I legit thought there was someone in my group watching me for a good 5 minutes before I realized, the viewer was my own FB feed on there. Yep. Felt real dumb.

5. You have the option to post your video after streaming or delete it. After you end your broadcast, you can either post the video to view later or wipe that bitch away. Obviously, how the stream went would determine if you post or don't. I shared mine, mainly because no one else in my group was around, and me yammering and writing for an hour wouldn't be worthwhile if I didn't post it. But if shit goes wrong...no one but those watching live have to know.

6. Turn off notifications! I didn't think about how loud notifications would be. And my phone got a couple of them during the feed which resulted in an epicly loud ding during the video. So another #protip, turn off all notifications and the ability to receive calls before you start broadcasting if using your phone. I'll definitely do so next time. 


Yes, I did go back and watch my own video. And I don't think it was half bad. I thought I'd be awkward and stumbling, but I found the whole experience relaxing. It was like talking to friends. I did occasionally glance at the camera during my writing sprint time and smirk. And there was a bit of a "this is odd" feeling during the writing sprint times, because I felt like I should be talking. Which is also why my writing sprint end count was lower than it usually was. But in about an hour, I chatted, wrote 1400ish words, and tried something new. 

I think I'm going to do more live videos, simply because I enjoyed sitting down and chatting with a cup of coffee in hand. Before I do anything outside of closed groups, though, I'm going to set up my shot better, sit in a room that isn't lit from above, and put on some damn makeup. 

Have you watched a live video stream before? If so, what is your preferred space to watch? FB? IG? Or have you done your own livestreams or write-ins before? If so, share some tips with me. I'd love to hear them.

​~Roxy

I have come to understand the beauty of excuses to get out of certain obligations. 

And one of my favorite things about NaNoWriMo is the fact that I can use it as an excuse. When you're a writer, no one really believes you work. While it's true there are times when our "writing" consists of falling down a YouTube rabbit hole of research, we still need that "butt in chair" time.

November has been touted as one of the worst times of the year to try a writing challenge. If my research holds true, it's the very reason the originators chose it. If you can write a book in November, when all the holiday prep and family obligations are demanding your time, then writing during the rest of the year is a cake walk. Hence the reason this is a challenge.

What I think everyone is missing, is the possibilities this task holds. Because most people don't get how much work goes into a novel, NaNoWriMo puts a quantifiable task at the forefront that's easier for the general public to understand. 

What I'm saying is, when you tell your family, "I need to finish my book", they don't understand what that means. But when you tell that same group, "I need to write 50,000 words in only 30 days" they take it more seriously. And if you have daily goals to tout they tend to leave you alone.

Do you get what I'm putting out there? Do you see where I'm going with this?

The holidays are stressful. If you have a large family, or big group of friends, or even an evil day job that puts you in forced socialization situations, you have a lot of events coming up this month. NaNoWriMo is the perfect excuse to cut out early, or not attend at all.

If you're in the United States, the past few years in politics have been especially divisive. And many families who silently disagreed with each other, are now openly arguing. Are you stuck going to such a function? TAKE YOUR LAPTOP. Claim you're behind in NaNoWriMo and put yourself in a spare room with a big glass of wine and make your word count work to your advantage. I'm telling you, there is no one who will keep track of exactly how much you write. So if you need to stay in a locked room for two hours because your Uncle is ranting about something he "knows" because he saw it on Facebook...take the leave and work on your beautiful stats page.

If anyone has peeked at mine lately, you'll know that I've fallen off the wagon. Along with this blog. I don't have any excuses. I had to make a choice to either push my already stretched nerves, or work on the basics. I'm talking I had to get down to basic self-care of showering and eating.

Life gets away from us, and we have to make the best choice for who we are that very day. Today, I did some much needed housework and worked on a WIP despite not knowing if I'm going to keep it. I let myself write, because even if I fail, I'll be failing forward and getting some excellent writing practice in.

Am I going to take my laptop to my in-laws' turkey day battleground? You bet your sweet butterballed ass, I am. Needing a break doesn't always get you out of obligations. But keep NaNoWriMo in your back pocket, like I do. You might find a way to add to your word-count while avoiding an awkward conversation or libation-fueled fight.

What about you? Do you have something you want to hide out from this November? Ever thought of using your word count as an excuse? Are you going to try it now? I'd love to hear about it.

~Roxy

This video popped up in my recommendeds today on YouTube. I had a body-abusing day at work yesterday, and I'm battling myself to get even the basics done around the house. 

I'm pretty proud I got out of my slippers and put on real shoes before going out in public, honestly.

So here's the quick kick in the pants (especially with NaNoWriMo in full swing) that some of us, like me, need. Your schedule isn't set in stone. If it were, we'd all be much more productive. But if you're like me, and doing some emergency car shopping while suffering from crap credit, the muse is hiding in a corner.

Life throws a lot at us, and it seems the shitstorm of bad costs either money or time. Both of which can negatively impact a writer.

There's no right way to do this creative gig. There's no definition of success aside from the one you decide upon. 

Let's stop taking ourselves so seriously. Let's do something fun. We can type a blog post on our phone. Or write a poem on a napkin.

Can you find a creative way to squeeze in some words? If you find a way to write on the go, or create when you don't think you have time, I'd love to hear about it. 

There's no "right" time. So when are you going to write?

~Roxy

I'm writing this from a place where I'm pretty sure people get lost in the woods and murdered. I had to drive...in the dark...down to a much more southern part of Indiana. On roads without lines on them. It was fucking scary for this suburb dweller. 

So you might be asking yourself, why I did such a thing. Because my local RWA chapter decided to have a writer's retreat. Welp. I needed a kick in the pants, and I signed up. 

I'm sitting here typing this while the sun is rising over a field with a fresh dusting of snow and horses are eating hay just outside the window. Sure it's pretty, but there are also axes on the property that are available to use. Like I said...we're going to be murdered.

But the reason I'm here is because I need to get some writing done. I need to get some motivation, and I need to get a kick in the ass to get myself back out in the publishing world again.

Like I've said in past blogs, (You can check out my 2017 review here), I like to try something new each year. And this year I'm trying a retreat. The fact that it happens right in the dreaded week 2, seemed perfect. 

I'll have to take some pictures to show all of you, but frankly, I plan to spend this time writing. I'm hoping for a 10k weekend. Lofty goals when I'm surrounded by such great women who like to chat as much as I do. But I can do this...right? RIGHT?!?!?

If you're looking for a little buddy writing, you can try something I did for years. Check online for write-ins. I'll even post one from one of my favorite YouTubers to get you started.

Tell me...do you write better alone or with others? What are your tips to getting words in with other people. I'd love to hear about it.

​~Roxy

There are some people who despise NaNoWriMo, and I've already seen lots of people talking shit about it. Every year, I know the hate for the idea of fast drafting is coming, but it still stings a little. Mostly because some of the hate comes from authors whose work I respect.

But I want to talk about the process of NaNoWriMo and why it's so damn valuable. 

Everyone knows that having a thick skin is part of the publishing industry. At least, they say they know that, but come November, there will be blog after blog, and post after post, shitting on the idea that any good books can come from NaNoWriMo. People so pissed off and threatened by the idea that their techniques aren't the ones featured, that they feel the need to put others on blast. Here's the problem with that, just because it doesn't work for you, oh wise ones of the writing world, doesn't mean it's wrong. 

Here in the world of creativity, there isn't a right or wrong, there is finding what works for you. And just like I will swear up and down the world would be a better place if everyone was forced to work the holiday season in retail at least once in their lives, I will go to bat for the idea that every writer should try NaNoWriMo...and for more than just a week.

For those of us who do well fast drafting and editing the shit out of the manuscript later, NaNo shows us that we can do this. That it's hard, and it's frustrating, but there is a community to reach out to, and a way to write those glorious words..."The End."  I'd argue that there is just as much to gain from "Losing" NaNoWriMo. Or from going off script and setting a lower goal, or finishing up an already started manuscript, or even doing edits instead of writing new words in November. Because you have to find joy in what you accomplished, even if no one else does. There is always someone ready and raring to tell you that you're "Doing it wrong" or that you "Didn't really win" or that it "Doesn't count". 

You're going to get the wind knocked out of your sails at some point in the month. It could be from outside forces, or your own internal dialogue telling you that because you can't write 10k in two days that you're not as good as other writers. There are plenty of opportunities to compare yourself to others this month, because everyone who is participating likes to talk about it. (You're reading this blog, so you know I'm one of those people.)

Which brings me to another lesson NaNoWriMo taught me...No good comes from comparing your success to other people. 

You have to find strength inside yourself, and this month puts that shit to the test. Even if you don't sign up on the official website, you might be avoiding the internet for more reasons than the upcoming election. And it's a great reason to ask yourself why. 

There will always be someone better at something than you. Not being the best doesn't mean you should take the technique and chuck it out the window. It's a time to hone your craft, and practice your skills. Or maybe it's time to practice embracing the joy other people feel even if it's not your bag. Other people don't cause your feelings. That's all on you. So if NaNoWriMo makes you mad, it's time to do some real work and figure out what in your own mind is getting your panties in a bunch.

I've "won" NaNoWriMo for the last five years, but there were years I didn't feel great about it. I'd look at other writers clocking twice the word count I did, and feel bad. And that was my bullshit to work through. It wasn't easy admitting it was my own brain sabotaging me, but it was the fucking truth. 

I'd argue the biggest challenge NaNoWriMo offers isn't the 50,000 words it prompts you to write, but what you do after this month is over. Some of us will end up with a finished draft, others will have thousands of words to go until they hit the end, and still more will only have clocked a few thousand words, that they may have to trash all of. What you do with that information is up to you, and how you move forward is also completely in your court.

NaNoWriMo taught me I wasn't a quitter.

I didn't hit 50k the first year I wrote. I didn't hit the end of a book for a few more rounds. But the next year, I finished a novel. The year after that, I wrote a better one. Then I started editing. And soon enough I let other people read what I wrote. My first books sucked. Hell, there will be a lot of people who will tell you all my books suck. But I've also hit PAN status at RWA. I've been featured in magazines. I've been "Top Picks" on a couple blogs. All because I didn't stop trying. 

Now, fast drafting might not work for you. I'm not saying it will. I'm saying, talking about writing a book and never putting the words on paper is the only way you really fail. And if you go through the month of November, and realize you don't want to work on this book anymore, no one is going to come for you and point a shaking finger at you in shame. 

Picking yourself up and trying something else, is how you win. Writing another book is how you win. Taking the next step and editing your work, is how you win. Are you still writing? Are you still working on what you set out to do this November? Be proud. Power on. Whatever you're doing with your writing or your career, someone will tell you you're doing it wrong. Do it anyway. You might find out it doesn't work for you after all, but you won't know until you try.

NaNoWriMo taught me determination. It taught me to keep going. It taught me to try new things. What are you going to learn this month? You won't know until you sit at your computer and start.

I'd love to hear about what you're trying. Or what NaNoWriMo is already teaching you. 

~Roxy

Fair warning, I'm going to be talking a lot about NaNoWriMo. Because I'm participating, and have a fun group I'm hoping to drag across the finish line with me, there's not going to be a morning where it's not on my mind. 

This is the point where everyone is buzzing with excitement and can't wait to get started on or wrap up a current "Work in Progress" (WIP) that is ready for the best ending ever.

People have been gearing up, prepping, plotting, and promising themselves they won't eat that leftover Halloween Candy for breakfast.

​​But there are a few stages of NaNoWriMo that I know I go through, so if it is your first year participating, I am going to give you a peek at what might happen to your writer brain too.

Now, I'm not saying this to discourage you, but THIS IS HARD. Especially if you haven't done it before. But it's also a community of writers from all over the world doing the same thing, and facing the same struggles.

So here are some of the Stages of NaNoWriMo, you may encounter yourself. I know I've been through them all.

"This is Easy"

This stage usually happens in the beginning of the month. Maybe you're good at word sprints and know you can consistently knock out 500-1000 words in a short period of time. You know you can set aside an hour or two per day and think this is going to be no big deal. The thing about writing is, it's both the easiest thing to do, and the hardest thing to do consistently. And that's exactly why NaNo is a challenge. When you find yourself in the "This is Easy" stage, bank extra words. You're feeling good, so push yourself a little more and get ahead for when the rough patches show up.

"Whoa...I Still Have How Much to Write?!?!?"

This part sneaks up on you. Usually at the end of week 1 or beginning of week 2 for me. You'll be luxuriating in your green bar of accomplishment for the day, and glance down at the graph where it tells you how much you have currently written and how much you still have to write. Before you crest that halfway point, when you're tired and writing at 5am (like I am right now), you'll be flabbergasted about how much there is left. Don't let it stop you. If this is intimidating for you, avoid the graph until you hit 25k. Stay away from groups with power writers if you get discouraged, and keep your goals simple. Get your green bar for the day, every day. 

"This Sucks"

This stage could reference your daily grind for words or your general feeling of apathy about your book. If you're worried about your book, here's the thing, it might suck. I have NaNo manuscripts that will never EVER see the light of day, but those books got me writing again. You have to write crap before you can write the good stuff. It could be that you write messy first drafts and then edit them to death, and they become something beautiful. You never know until the words are on the paper and you reach "The End" of your book. So you might as well write it. You can't edit a blank page.

And if you're saying "This sucks" because you don't like writing everyday, well, then you're learning something about your writing style too. But I suggest you keep going through the month. You can't tell if something works for you unless you give it a chance. I got my first finished book because of NaNoWriMo, and even though that book was horrific, I am so damn proud I finished it. Don't give up.

"Holy Shit, I Might Pull This Off"

This is the point where you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It usually happens for me when I get down to about 15k left. One day you look up from your computer and you realize that if you write as much as your best days, you might even be able to knock this out early. Or it might be right as you crest that half-way point hill, and your graph no longer tells you you'll finish in March. 

You can totally do this. The book doesn't have to be a masterpiece. And don't let anyone read it until you edit it. A. Lot. But this book has an end, and by God, you're going to get there.

"I AM A WRITER"

This is my favorite stage. And it can hit anytime throughout the month. Maybe you feel it when you're typing away at a coffee shop and glance up and see another person doing the same thing. You'll nod at each other with bags under your eyes and toast your extra caffeinated beverages before returning to your laptops. Or maybe you'll feel it during an early morning sprint where you get your words out of the way before the day gets crazy with work. Or even late at night when you don't have to work the next day and you're ignoring the latest NetFlix binge because something about your characters is so exciting you can't stop until it's all on the page.

A writer is someone who writes. And that's what this whole shebang is about. Writing. I crave this stage of NaNoWriMo, and it's why I keep signing up.



​NaNoWriMo is my new year. It's my fresh start. It's the time where I drop whatever I'm doing and return to the part of this whole gig that I love the most...telling a story. I get distracted by real life, far too much during the year. Especially in December, but this month is all for me, and it's about getting shit done. 

So let's get shit done together. We're writers. And writers write.

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? It's not too late to sign up! If you're writing, make sure to add me as a buddy (Roxy Mews on the site), and tell me what stage you're on right now. I'd love to hear about it.

~Roxy

(*NOTE* I'm linking a lot of things in this article. Hover over the words and click your little heart away)

As I'm getting myself ready for NaNoWriMo this year, I'm realizing that timers are magic. And I'm not the only one who thinks so!

Have you ever noticed how many productivity methods recommend timers? Sure, NaNoWriMo has atimer, but you can also set up word sprints days in advance! If you're going to be home at 9am (EST) on November 1st, click the button below and sprint with me. Let's give this group sprint thing a try.

Not a fan of the NaNoWriMo website? You can try Discord, searching for Twitter for #wordsprint, #NaNoWriMo, or #1k1hr, or even send me a message on Facebook, and I'll drop you into my handy dandy NaNo group "Roxy's NaNoWriMo 2018 Rockstars". 

Those are just the various places I'll be hanging out getting some writing done. And I'll be doing it 15-30 minutes at a time. There is something fantastic about using a timer that makes the whole shebang seem more vital. It's a race against the clock to battle back the blank page with tons of words. 

Did you know that timers have the same magic outside of your WIP? It took tons of self-help and productivity guides spewing the same stuff at me for me to take the timer outside of my writing time. But seriously. It's brilliant.

Know who else uses timers? People who practice the Pomodoro technique, which is simply setting a timer to get any task done, and then taking a brief break. According Wikipedia, it was a technique developed in the 80's, but I have a feeling people have been doing this for a lot longer than that. 

Why are people talking about setting a timer and using it to get shit done? 

Because it works. Period. Dot. End of story.

I don't know why, and I don't know how. I'm sure there is some kind of chemical in our brains that makes us work harder when we're put up against a hard deadline. Probably something to do with our inherent survival instinct that I don't have the background to talk about. But I can tell you, this timer shit works. 

​I've been using the Forest App, I talked about a couple blogs ago. Holy shit, is this app amazingly helpful. Know why? It stops you from picking up your phone. If you go to check a notification and leave the app, you'll kill your "tree" or "bush". Anyone ever cried during The Lorax? *raises hand* This app will guilt you into doing your shit and putting the social media aside for later. 

I challenge you to set a timer for something you've been putting off today. It's after 3pm my time, so I set a timer to get this blog done. And I'm going to have a happy little tree to add to my forrest in my app in another 8 minutes. Because that's the beauty of the timer, for me. I accomplish more in less time. If I have 6 hours to do something, it will take me 6 hours. If I only have thirty minutes...well, I'll bet I get more done in those thirty minutes than I would have if I hadn't set the timer. 

Do you use timers? If you do, tell me what you use. I'm always down for another gadget. If you don't use timers, are you thinking about snagging one now? I'd love to hear about it.

​~Roxy

This is a repost from a blog I did a few years back. It popped up in my memories and sadly, I realized the blog was no more. 

So I wanted to share it, because I think it's a darn good blog, even if I do say so myself. Although I am giving plotting (in the most basic of forms) a try for this year's NaNoWriMo, I am a pantser at heart. Every story I've started has come from a main character and a "Wouldn't it be cool if..." statement. And that's it. So although I'm dipping my toe into the plotter pool, I'm probably diving back into the pantser lifestyle soon after.

Without further ado...Here's a post about NaNo and my Top 4 NaNoWriMo Prep Tips for Pantsers.

For anyone who isn’t familiar, NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is an online gathering of people who are all trying to score fifty thousand words in just thirty days. There are forums, and regional meetups, and really cool little graphs to help get you to those two magical words… “The End.”

I am that writer who loves the blank page. I adore starting stories. Those first few thousand words are my favorites. When the characters are just starting to dance across your brain cells, it’s exciting and new and the possibilities of where their tales will go are endless.

Starting stories was always easy for me. I had notebooks full of plot ideas, thumb drives stuffed with story starters, and hundreds of thousands of words that I had to get out of my head.

Unfortunately, up until a few years ago, I didn’t have a single finished novel.

Then I found NaNoWriMo. I created a profile and signed up. Seeing all of these seasoned authors sprinting along with me was amazing. We were all there for the same reason…to create a story. It didn’t matter what we were writing, we all had to get words on the page.

This is a series about how to prepare for NaNoWriMo. But I’m going to let you in on a secret…

Not all of us plan. Like…at all. Not even a little bit.

NaNoWriMo taught me a new term. “Pantser”.

A “Pantser” is someone who does no or very little preparation before they start. They turn on their computer and write.

My name is Roxy Mews, and I am a pantser.

I open Word, and I go. Sure, I don’t write the neatest first drafts. (I owe my CPs and editors some serious chocolate.) Sometimes my characters change attitude, hair color, and eye color, or even name.

Preptober about NaNoWriMo prep, so let me give you some ways to prep if you too are in the Pantser Camp.

#1 Get acquainted with the “Review” tab in Word.
When I am writing and I know I need to research something for a plot point, or I am putting in a crucial tidbit where a character needs to act differently, I make a note. I click that lovely “New Comment” box in the Review tab, and remind myself what I need to do.

Killing someone with a gun? Google model descriptions later.

Have to find a regional food? Ask the twitterverse when that part of the world is awake.

Need to see if humans can bend that way while getting intimately acquainted? Just make sure your safe search is off, and the internet will reveal all.

Make your notes and move forward. NaNoWriMo is all about turning off your inner editor and finishing the story.
 
#2 Stock up on a stash of bribe items.
There are days when you won’t want to write. The dreaded week 2 blahs strike many of us hard. Pick your favorite treat and keep them under lock and key until you put your butt in front of the computer.

You only get that piece of chocolate when you reach your word count goal.

That fancy coffee you love to treat yourself with? Only order it when you have your first ten thousand words under your belt. (I highly recommend Death Wish Coffee for this bribe)

You can also arm yourself with a special playlist, or a great smelling candle. They don’t have to be pricey or full of calories, but chocolate and caffeine tend to be what keeps me moving forward.
 
#3 Easy meal prep
The most exciting part about being a Pantser is when the muse sits on your shoulder and starts screaming the story in your ear. Those moments are not ones you want to stop in the middle of. If your muse is anything like mine, you can’t get her to start again when you’re ready.

Have easy meals ready to go.

Put the local pizza delivery place on notice, and let them know when you call them grunting into the phone it means you want a large bacon and pineapple. Tell them you’ll leave the money on the porch when you sprint for the bathroom break you’ve been putting off all afternoon.

I suppose you could cook things ahead of time too, but you’re about to write 50k in a month. If you’re anything like me, you don’t have time for that kind of thing.
 
#4 Get a buddy
One of the best things about the NaNoWriMo website is the buddies feature. You can add buddies to your page and the NaNo site will let you peek into their word count. You can see when they’re slacking and guess what…they can see when you are.

Having that accountability is one hell of a motivator.  Find a buddy. Find a group of them, and push each other. When I see I am only a hundred words from topping one of my buddies for the day, I always get another cup of coffee and push ahead.

If you want to be my buddy, you can find me HERE.
 
At the end of the day, if you are a Plotter or a Pantser, we all start with zero words on our boards. We all start with nothing and work to create a complete story. It’s not meant to be perfect, it’s not meant to be pretty, it’s meant to be finished.

If you’re waffling on joining up, and think you missed your time to prepare, you’re wrong. You don’t need a perfected outline. You don’t need character charts. You just need to write. Why not do it with millions of other people? 
 
Are you a Plotter or a Pantser? I'd love to hear about it.

~Roxy

I've been chatting about NaNoWriMo over here a lot, and heads up, there will be a lot more, because this will consume my life for the next month. If it's not your bag...I'll see you in December. 

But I do think even if you're not a WriMo, there are still tons of things you can get out of the content that becomes prolific during the month of November.

One of my favorite types of content is what people like to call their "Survival Kits". Many NaNoWriMo participants hoard adorable coffee mugs, cute pens, fancy gadgets and software in preparation for November. And there are a million and one of these videos that are prevalent on authortube. I'll drop two of my fav's from this year below.

Some of you might look at these Pinterest-Worthy moments and say, "Yeah. All well and good, Roxy. But I'm flat ass broke."

You know what? Me too. So I thought I'd share some of the bribes I'm using this year in my NaNoWriMo survival kit. (I chat about bribes in a blog post from last year if you want to check it out HERE.)

Here are 5 TOTALLY FREE bribes you can use for your NaNoWriMo survival kit.

1. Reading Time

Head to your local library and grab a great new book you're dying to read, or an old favorite. I've been known to use a book I haven't read since I was a kid to set next to me and motivate me to get my work done. Don't have the time to go out? Download Overdrive on your phone and borrow e-books and audio books from your library FOR FREE. Then reward yourself after a certain number of words. Maybe you can get ahead by writing a little more than goal each day, and once you are 1667 words ahead, you get a day off to read. Adjust it to work for you.

2. Binge Time

In the days of Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, we all have services that allow us to watch episodic content to excess. Hold off on all this until your writing is done. Or better yet, give a particularly cruel buddy your login, and make them change it until your words are on the page. Just like the books, set a goal. Make it just a little challenging, but totally doable, and reward yourself when you get there. 

Give yourself a visual list of all the good things you can watch, then you can check them off as you accumulate all those beautiful new words.

3. Hygiene

Okay...stay with me here. We tend to devolve a little on this as the month goes on. Many of us (me included) have a particular chair where we always write. And sometimes we get lost in our story and time and space, and showering get away from us. Make it your reward. Do you have a fancy shower-gel or soap you were gifted in that lame secret Santa party last year? Dig it out! Bath bomb you never have the time to use? As women, we tend to accumulate these things from co-workers and distant family when they have no idea what to buy us. Use them as your bribes. And if you don't have one of these stashes, treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure at the end of a long writing day. We have all these self-care items we tend to save for "special occasions", but it's time to break them out.

4. Candles

This is another of those things gifted and re-gifted to women constantly. So I'm assuming you have at least a few candles hanging around. Grab a candle for each 500 or 1,000 words you want to write for the day. Every time you hit that goal, light that baby up! It's helpful to see the visual reminder of what you're accomplishing, and you'll have the perfect atmosphere to keep going into the dark and stormy night. 

If you don't have candles, but do have a stationary stash of stickers, maybe you can toss a cute sticker in your planner or in a notebook for every 500 or 1,000 words. Use what you have, but make it visible. 

5. New App for your phone or computer

There are a ton of free apps out there, and they can be things as goofy as puzzle games or useful like the Forest app mentioned in Rachael Stephen's video above. I'm actually using the Forest app to write this blog now. I'm two bushes in. ;) But seriously, get yourself something you're wanting to try, but don't download it until you've hit goal for the day. Or maybe you want to spread it out, and use the apps for 10k, 20k, 30k, etc. Just find great ones you like that are FREE.



You don't have to drop hundreds of dollars on adorable things to do well in NaNoWriMo. You just have to write. And if you're reading this blog, you likely are doing it on a computer or phone, so you have all the tools you need, right there. Books have been written on phones. I have Microsoft Office 365 so my phone, but Google Docs is a free download for Android. (And I'm sure if you're on iOS there's something comparable.)

We're less than a week away from November 1st! Let's get ready to write like the wind!

~Roxy