Things That Helped Me Win NaNoWriMo

Ah. Two posts in one day. I'm in a good mood, aren't I?

Anyway, here are a bunch of things that helped me finish my 51k word novel :>

1. TONS of Patience and Determination

I'm serious. If I gave up, I wouldn't have won. If I didn't stay up late to write, I wouldn't have won. If I didn't give up writing other stories for a while, I wouldn't have won.

And if I wasn't patient with myself and listened to my Inner Editor (I named her Unawesomeness :3), I wouldn't have won.

2. WriteOrDie.com

Write. OR DIE D:<

That is how WriteOrDie.com works :3 Basically all you do is type up your word-count goal, set the amount of time you want to finish it, choose your modes (since I'm a wimp, I use Gentle Mode and the grace period is set on Strict), then write. OR DIE >:D

credit to blog.karenwoodward.com

3. Early Planning

I had an idea for the plot waaaaaay before, around July or something. So when I joined NaNoWriMo on late August, my mind started to work.

First the main plot...then the main characters...then the names of the main characters...then the plot twist...then the subplots (this actually doesn't count much, since I just made up 75% of the subplots along the way)...then the plot twist...then the ending...

And then, you're ready to go :D

4. A Funny Poem

As I was about to end my NaNo journey, I came upon this funny poem in the forums. It was exactly how I felt. -.- Knowing there were others out there who felt as frustrated I was made me feel a whole load better. I added a few paragraphs, though, to make the poem more inspiring. (The ones in green were the ones I added.)

Curse You NaNoWriMo!

by BatsAreBest

I was sitting here at a computer

With four days left to write.

I'm sitting, staring, at a blank screen.

I want to scream with all my might.

I can't seem to master

These things that are called books.

It seemed like it'd be easy!

Not as simple as it looks.

Words won't come flowing

Out of my fingertips.

My doggie isn't helping.

Stop those loud, annoying yips!

I can't think of a plot twist,

Or any unexpected turns.

For an amazing piece of text,

My heart really yearns.

How am I getting my character

To develop and change?

I want it believable,

But it's turning out quite strange.

Why did I ever want to take on

This long thirty day task?

If I can't finish, I can't show my face,

I must always wear a mask.

A whole month full

Of literary abandon!

That's what all the flyers said.

Well, I am ready to abandon!

This horrible novel I just can't seem

To get on the hook!

Who ever told me

That I could write a book?

I feel like giving up.

Everyone else seems already done.

What should I do?

This really isn't fun.

Too much pressure!

The deadline can't be met.

I'll go out and dunk my head-

It might help me to get wet.

What was I thinking?

I never should have turned on this computer.

How am I ever going to win, if

I can't even spell the word shuter?

It even looks dreary outside.

It's windy and it's raining.

But theres one more problem,

And this is the most paining.

How can I expect to write a book,

When I can't stop complaining?

***

Till I stopped and sighed

And walked away

Out of my house, deciding,

"Maybe I won't be done in thirty days"

Oh, why did I take this wretched challenge?

I thought it could be good for my self-esteem

But no, this was a form of torture

This thing called NaNoWriMo was too extreme

Then I saw a boy

With ice cream in hand

But the cone fell

Into the sand

I chuckled and thought

"This could happen to my charrie"

Maybe it could make him

Snap at his friends gruffly

And maybe, they were to answer back

For he was being truly rude

"We didn't do anything, you were a klutz,

It was your fault!" they would argue

They would squabble about this all day and night

Till they decided this was enough

They disbanded and said farewell

For getting along was just too tough

"That's it!" I cry suddenly

And run back to my laptop

I switched it on to Microsoft Word

And started writing non-stop

True, maybe I won't win

And all my effort was for naught

But at least I had a bit of fun

And man, I had an awesome plot

That's all. Peace out :3