NaNoWriMo: What works and what doesn’t

Ten Things that Worked:

1. Finger foods and booze: Casillero Del Diablo merlot, in tulip wine glasses; vegetable party trays; Reese’s mini peanut butter cups; Starbucks Doubleshot canned coffee drinks; mini pizzas
2. Being nocturnal
3. Techno
4. My starry fingerless writing gloves
5. Checking the NaNoWriMo forums
6. Large supply of votive candles: candlelight was vital!
7. Wordcount goals calendar and foil star stickers to mark my progress
8. Christmas lights around my desk
9. Old “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” episodes: the absurdity suited my mood
10. Writing chapters in any order I wanted, skipping around

Ten Things that Didn’t Work:

1. Staying awake during the day
2. Trying to cook meals
3. Not “nesting” before NaNo: bills, homework, housework, laundry and groceries were a constant distraction; better to have them done beforehand
4. “Rewarding” myself with treats—I work better with immediate fuel, not delayed gratification
5. Chatrooms: too much of a distraction
6. Writing to a timer: too much pressure
7. “Inspiration” novel: got sidetracked rereading it
8. Trying to go to football games, or socialize with people NOT doing NaNoWriMo—it’s like a one-month cult!
9. Only meeting writing buddies towards the end; next time I’ll kickoff with some
10. Giving a damn about the trivial gets hard, when you’re immersed in your bliss.

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