NaNoWriMo Week 3 is almost over, and we’re more than halfway through the month. I’m not going to talk about word count or anything else about our manuscripts.
Today I want to talk about something we often don’t do while on any deadline, whether it be NaNo, our editor’s, or our own. That thing is rest. I don’t mean naps (although those are good!), instead I’m talking about mental breaks. Resting your mind helps alleviate stress and it’s also a great way to allow plot problems to work themselves out deep in your subconscious while you’re NOT staring at the computer screen. Luckily, rest also means fun!
When I have fun, I don’t want to spend a lot of money–especially this time of year with all the entertaining and gift-buying, etc. So here are a few ideas to get you away from your keyboard and out in the world.
REST FOR A WEARY AUTHOR
Watch a movie–either alone or with a friend. Put on a Hallmark Christmas movie, or a horror flick. Something that will get your mind off of your WIP and make you laugh, cry, or hide beneath the blankets. Throw in a huge bowl of buttered popcorn and your favorite drink and pretend you’re twelve.
Host a pot-luck dinner with friends. Have your friends bring over their favorite foods, open some wine or beer or your favorite beverage, and hang out like when you were in high school. If you have a fire pit or a patio, sit outside while the weather is still nice.
Play sports outside. Grab your friends to throw a football or hit a baseball. Maybe go for a run with your running buddy, or toss a ball to your dog who loves to jump in the leaves. Just do something that moves your body and gets you breathing in some fresh, fall air.
Pick apples, have a picnic, and drink cider. Although Halloween is over, many farms still have apples that need to be picked and cider that needs drinking. Bring a picnic and enjoy one of the last fall days outside.
Go for a hike in the woods or a walk on the beach. If you live in a state where there are woods or beaches, hike the local trails before all the trees lose their leaves. Walk barefoot in the sand before it gets too cold. If you have no woods or water nearby, I’m sure you have something just as lovely. A park or a desert setting. Anything that gets your heart pumping while taking in the beauty of a late fall afternoon.
Cook a meal or bake a cake. If you like to cook or bake, do so. Pull out your favorite recipes and start your dough rising and get that crockpot going. The best part of having cooking or baking as one of your hobbies is that you always have something awesome to eat when you’re done. If you’re stuck for ideas, check out my index for The Hungry {Romance} Writer blog. There are lots of easy, delicious recipes for chefs of all experience levels.
Hobbies. If you have any hobbies (scrapbooking, thrifting, sewing, woodworking, etc), pick a project to work on during NaNo. It sounds counter-intuitive, but having a separate project to work on helps keep your mind and soul balanced. It can also be motivation to finish your words so you can get back to your hobby.
Gardening. Sometimes raking leaves or mulching beds for the winter can have a calming effect on a busy, overworked mind. And you have the added benefit of cleaning up the yard for the winter!
Whatever you choose to do, do it with a happy heart and no guilt. Your book will get written, regardless if you hit the magic 50K number. But ending November with a hunched back and crooked fingers serves no one–not you, not your family, and not your characters. So do yourself a favor by stepping away from your WIP to rest and have some fun!
