There’s a very good chance at some point or another, you’re probably going to experience some level of writer’s block while you’re participating in National Novel Writing Month. Even if you have an outline or a loose plan, there is always the possibility your characters will be stubborn and won’t want to compromise.
Sometimes, you may not know what to do. Here are five ways you can battle writer’s block and press on during NaNoWriMo this November!
1. Check out WA’s free November Novel Planner.
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention this, right? Inside our novel planner, we have a single-word prompt for each day. It’s helpful, because it has the potential to build a scene, since you may not be able to use the word at the point you’re at in your story.
You can grab our November Novel Planner for free here. If you prefer a paper version, you can find that on our shop for $10!
2. Google “writing prompts.”
We have the world at our fingertips! There are countless writing websites that feature prompts for writers. You’re bound to find one that resonates with you or works well for your story. You can also buy a writing prompt book or search Pinterest.
3. Follow the main NaNoWriMo account on social media and/or your local region.
The official NaNoWriMo Twitter account posts prompts, inspiration, and motivation throughout the month of November. They also host word sprints there too. It’s a great chance to catch up on your word count and get unblocked. If you’ve joined a region, your region may also do this via a social platform.
We’re pretty lucky to live in Orlando, and our region hosts word sprints via Twitter most days of the week.
4. Speak to another writer.
Speaking to another writer can help you iron out a plot hang up, flesh out a character, and more.
I always like to start with my writer friends. If you don’t have writer friends, you have options! You can search through the NaNoWriMo hashtag on Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms and strike up conversation to possibly find another writer in the same boat as you. You’re also more than welcome to join our free online community on Facebook or our accountability program, The Write Gym.
You can also visit the NaNoWriMo forums and express your concerns there. Your region is also a great place to find write-ins and connect with other writers in real life.
5. If all else fails, take a break.
Sometimes you need to relax or do something mindless so your brain can decompress. Take breaks in the way you like, but one method I like to suggest is meditation. We have an entire on-demand class called The Write Meditation or you can access free mini meditation sessions for writers on our IGTV or on our YouTube channel. There’s a lot of pressure to finish the book, and some of us really want to get our stories right, but it’s important to remember that this is a first draft.
Remove the pressure and enjoy the journey.
