>
Scott Westerfeld
Content header

Nano Tip # 15: Take a Day Off

November 16th, 2009

That’s right, NaNoWriMo-ers, take at least one day off this month. About now is good, because we’re halfway through November and your brain needs a rest.

So take a day off and do nothing!

I know I just did.

20 Responses to “Nano Tip # 15: Take a Day Off”

  1. 1
    Saille
    November 16th, 2009 07:04

    Easy for you to say! You just gave us a new novel to read instead of NaNo-ing!

  2. 2
    Talie
    November 16th, 2009 07:07

    good advice :)

    i’ve been doing this way too often, though!!!

  3. 3
    Sarah
    November 16th, 2009 07:09

    I agree with the above post. Leviathan is staring at me from my desk, and I already took a day off yesterday!

  4. 4
    Michelle
    November 16th, 2009 07:24

    That would be a GREAT IDEA… If I wasn’t still 4,000 words behind after writing 4,000 today. I’ve taken many days off this month already…

  5. 5
    Kristan
    November 16th, 2009 07:41

    Lol, ditto Michelle, except I’m more like 15k behind.

    Chugachugachugachuga… I think I can I think I can I think I can…

    (Too bad I can’t count words from other projects! Then I’d only be like 10k behind. I mean, “only”…)

  6. 6
    wandering-dreamer
    November 16th, 2009 08:14

    I took a day off last week but that was because of a huge headache and I’ve had to play catch up ever since. But I finally hit 25,000 words tonight so I think it all worked out.

  7. 7
    Zane
    November 16th, 2009 10:04

    This is the worst advice ever. I’ve had too many days off, due to homework overloads, family stuff, sickness and laziness. I need a “get off your butt (but not literally because then you won’t be sitting at your laptop anymore)” post, one with lots of motivation. At least I’ve been writing the past few days. Feels so good when it’s going right. Just gotta keep it up…

  8. 8
    Saira-La
    November 16th, 2009 10:05

    Good Advice I love it!

  9. 9
    Daniella (fomerly known as Dee)
    November 16th, 2009 11:32

    Ha. I like it.

  10. 10
    Jay-wa
    November 16th, 2009 17:16

    I’ve sure been taking days off…heh.

  11. 11
    Cyndy Otty
    November 16th, 2009 17:49

    I’m really a fan of writing every day – even if “writing” is a word, and all I did to the word was correct the spelling – only because it really works to keep me in that mindset of actually writing. But, I won’t say that’s the way for every writer. And some of those “one word corrected spelling” days are really, really needed especially during Nano when my whole brain is just fried from the thought of adding the task of writing a novel with the rest of my crazy life.

    Though, the downside is that sometimes that one day becomes way many more days and then it’s much more difficult to get back into the swing of things. (I just came off a six day “break” and while it didn’t faze me, I think others would have just thrown in the towel after that long.)

  12. 12
    Julie-wa
    November 17th, 2009 00:21

    I am so behind…
    but I keep finding a new book to read… and I moved… and I got sidetracked with a dif idea.

    I fail at this…

  13. 13
    Team Toshi Banana!
    November 17th, 2009 01:20

    That is the best advice I ever heard! I can taking a day off now without feeling guilty!! :D

  14. 14
    Saudia Mohamed
    November 17th, 2009 02:52

    hahahah I’ll feel very guilty later, but I’m taking your advice. *has bad feeling*

  15. 15
    evelonies
    November 17th, 2009 05:25

    does it count if i take the day off b/c my 2 year old is puking his guts out? i did that about a week ago. . .

  16. 16
    Dakota-la
    November 17th, 2009 08:48

    Good for you :D woow owwowowowow wat ur name on twitter?????

  17. 17
    Charity
    November 17th, 2009 19:19

    OMGosh! So good to know that my complete meltdown yesterday was justified. I’ve hit that point where I am immensely disappointed with my story. The idea in my head is still a good one, but it isn’t translating to my keyboard. Logically I’m ok with that. It happened last year too because Nano produces a lot of “telling” from me–which does nothing for me. At least this year I can remember the sludge of last year’s efforts and how different those words are after a year of hard revising work. I’m actually very excited about last year’s effort now.

    So, I woke up this morning telling myself “tell it now, show it later.” If I can just get the bones of the story on paper I can flesh it out later…must keep typing…must keep typing.

    Good luck all!

  18. 18
    Kelsey-wa
    November 18th, 2009 03:10

    AHHH! I’ve taken too many days off! I’m only 12% done with my novel, but that’s okay because I’ve already decided that it’s going to be a 60-day project. I still feel guilty though…

  19. 19
    Sarah
    November 18th, 2009 06:22

    Hey. I newly found that I enjoy writing (and reading) stories a lot. I have my first book going well, but I have a little bit of writers block.

    One thing, for me, that usually works to get rid of it is read something. It helps me think of new ideas and move on. So, when i take my day off I think I’ll read.

  20. 20
    JoJoLindsey-Wa
    November 18th, 2009 08:58

    That’s exactly what i did and it felt great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ahh gotta get back on track now though

Leave a Reply

Comments are stamped with Australian Eastern Standard Time

Divider
Latest News
New Website

As you can see, my website has had its first makeover in many years. This is to celebrate the fact that my first new series in years, Leviathan, comes out this autumn. (October 6, to be exact.)

Things may be wonky for a while as we play around under the hood. But I hope you enjoy the new look. Let me know what you think!

Search the Site
Latest tweets
Facebook
Twitter
Contact

Click here to contact Scott Westerfeld.

Literary Agent

Jill Grinberg
Jill Grinberg Literary Management
info@grinbergliterary.com

Bottom graphic
Content © 1997-2012 Scott Westerfeld | Powered by WordPress