I had already decided to participate in Rough Draft November for my current Gothic Women’s Fiction project, but I recently heard that Chris Baty, one of the founders of NaNoWriMo, has restarted the concept of writing 50,000 words in a month with NaNo 2.0. Because it’s a new venture, the website is simple–which is fine by me. I don’t have the time or energy to learn a whole new system. But I am excited that Chris is back. Since I’m writing a draft of a new novel during November, I will be joining writing sprints and check-ins, but I’m also giving myself a lot of grace this year. Since this is also a busy month between work, family visits, and holidays, I’ve laid out a few self-care reminders for myself.
Maybe it’s because I’ve been writing for a long time, or maybe it’s my age, but I’m entering this month with an attitude of “what gets done, gets done”. That’s the wonderful thing about being a professional, full-time writer. You have a realistic understanding of both the creative process and the publishing industry. But while having deadlines helps me get the words down, real life always has its ups and downs, especially around the holidays. These ups and downs don’t mean that writing a rough draft in a month isn’t worth the time and effort. It just means that you need to take care of yourself with some fun and some self-care. And, no, they’re not the same thing.
A Few Self-Care Ideas for NaNoWriMo
TAKE BATHS. There’s something so inviting and relaxing about a hot bath, especially when the weather gets colder. If you need some ideas on how to add herbal remedies to your bath, check out The Romance Herbalist. There are a number of inexpensive bath salt recipes that will elevate your experience in the tub.
DRINK TEA. Stock up and drink your favorite tea. Black, herbal, green–it doesn’t matter. Just have it on hand to help soothe your throat and keep your fingers warm as you type.
REST YOUR EYES. It’s so important to give yourself time away from the screen. Eye strain is real and it can be debilitating. Go take a walk or a nap or meet your friends at the pub. Just get away from the screen and give your eyes a break.
GET OUTSIDE. I can’t stress enough how important it is to get some fresh air and vitamin D. And walk in silence while your let your subconscious work on your novel. It always amazes me when I come up with the perfect solution to a plot problem while I’m walking through the woods.
GO THRIFT SHOPPING. The holidays are coming up and money is tight for so many. But since I volunteer in a high-end thrift shop, I know that BEFORE Thanksgiving is the best time to find great deals for Christmas and other holiday events. People have dropped off their things from their Fall Cleaning to get ready for the winter, and you’d be shocked at the amazing deals on NEW things that can be found at thrift shops.
SPEND TIME WITH NON-WRITING PEOPLE. It doesn’t matter if you go out to dinner, grab a coffee, or go see a movie. Spending time with others who don’t write helps you get out of your own head and eases your mind. You’ll be shocked at how often non-writer friends can solve plot problems over a pitcher of mojitos!
SCENT YOURSELF. If you can handle scents, light a favorite candle or choose a wonderful hand cream or add scented salts to your bath. Scents are powerful things and certain ones, like lavender and lemongrass, can help both your conscious and subconscious mind rest and relax.
PLAY BOARD GAMES, VIDEO GAMES, OR DO PUZZLES. I know it may seem silly to play games and work on puzzles, but these games provide two things: Spending time with people and friendly competition in something that has nothing to do with writing. Writers tend to be solitary, but unless you’re playing solitaire it’s difficult to play a board game or an online multi-player computer game by yourself. And while you can work on a puzzle alone, it’s always more fun with friends. This kind of time away from your WIP rests your mind and reminds you that there is a life outside of the stories running through your head. (Although watch the screen time with video games if you need to rest your eyes)
WORK IN THE GARDEN. It’s that time of year when garden beds need to be cleaned up and herbs can be harvested for drying. Or you just may need to pull out old tomato plants and drop in some spring flower bulbs. Whatever your garden looks like, no matter how large or small, spending time with your hands in the dirt is a good way to rest your mind and allow your subconscious to plot without the hard work of staring at a blank screen.
FIND ANOTHER CREATIVE HOBBY. Whether is doodling, working on your planners, painting the autumn sky, or cooking a new meal, doing something else creative–especially something you can share with others like a meal–is another great way to alleviate the stress of writing an entire book in 30 days.
KEEP A STORY JOURNAL. This is something I’ve been doing for years. It’s not a list of books I’ve read (I actually don’t do that anymore), but it’s a journal of the stories I consume throughout the week, whether movies, TV series, plays, or books. I journal about the types of stories I’ve consumed and what worked and didn’t work for the genre. Was the mystery too easy to solve? Why do I love Beauty and the Beast stories so much? How did they make that silly heroine become really smart at the end? Just journal whatever comes to mind because, I promise, it will all end up in your subconscious which is where you Muse lives. So feed the Muse!
COOK A MEAL. I don’t like food shopping or cooking, but I like to meal plan and I love to eat. And for some reason, when I’m on a tight deadline, I have a need to make delicious, home-cooked meals. Maybe it’s a control thing. I can’t control my characters, but I can control what I eat and drink. I’m not sure why, but when I’m cooking (and doing the laundry and taking a walk), plot problems seem to solve themselves. If you need an idea for a meal plan during a deadline month, I have one here.
EARLY HOLIDAY PREP. Sometimes, when a story isn’t going well, I need to organize things. And while I do this to make the holidays easier, the routine of organizing, sorting, and making simple decisions gives my Muse some downtime. And, just like with cooking, laundry, walking, etc., sometimes the best ideas come when you’re not looking for them.
GIVE YOURSELF GRACE. Writing a book is hard. It’s draining physically and mentally. So when it all becomes too much, give yourself the grace to stop and rest. Sit by a fire, eat S’mores, and listen to the last songs of the Autumn crickets. And try to remember that this is supposed to be fun!
While some of the above ideas cost some money (I’m looking at you, mojitos, thrift shops, and flower bulbs!), most don’t. These ideas are separate from rewards because they’re not about motivation. They’re about keeping yourself sane and healthy while you work so you end the month feeling as great–or better–than when you started. Good luck to you all and I hope the words continue to flow!
It’s time to raise a glass to toast Robert Burns, Scotland’s National Poet and the author of Auld Lang Syne. His birthday is tomorrow, and I’ve included the recipes for a traditional Burns Supper. Slainte!
In my fourth post about Pennhurst Asylum, I step inside through scent and memory to explore how the odors of decay and autumn air reveal history, emotion, and forgotten lives.
This is a repost from a few years ago, but it was so much fun to read again! A reader asked me for this so here it is: The Pumpkin Challenge–Can a romance author only eat pumpkin-based foods for an entire day? (The answer is Yes!)
