NaNoWriMo Is Over...Now What?
It's officially December and the pressure of NaNoWriMo is gone, but that doesn't mean you're off the hook until next year. It doesn't matter if you won NaNoWriMo or only got in 1,000 words. Keep the momentum going with these tips.
1. KEEP WRITING!!
NaNoWriMo is over, but that doesn't mean your commitment to writing should be. You don’t have to keep up the 1,667 word pace, but consider keeping that time you devoted to your writing in November available for you going forward. AND, if you have trouble with keeping yourself accountable for your writing, consider hiring a writing coach.
2. Join A Local Writing Group
Keep in contact with other writers. Most cities have a writers group. In my local group, they host weekly craft meetings, readings at local book stores and coffee shops, book clubs and critique groups. You usually have to pay a little bit for membership but you get a lot out of it. If you can’t find a local writing group, consider joining a national organization like SCBWI.
3. Join An Online Critique Community
If you can’t find or don’t like your local critique groups, you can join an online writing community. My favorite online critique community is Inked Voices. You can get a 14 day free trail, but full membership allows you access to hundreds of critique groups, and the opportunity to sign up for more advanced groups with literary agents and editors.
4. Hire An Editor
Hiring a personal editor is the best thing you can do for your novel. You'll get feedback from a professional, but you will have to pay for it. There's lot so freelance options all over the internet with varying services and prices. This December I’m offering a full developmental manuscript critique for only $250, and half off any other services you’re interested in to revise your novel. Describe your project and what you'd like through my contact page and I'll reach out with a quote shortly.
5. Commit To Your Novel
If, for some reason or another, you can't do anything else above, just commit to your novel. Maybe your first draft was crap, maybe you didn't even finish it, but as long as you come back to it it will get better. Rewrite it, revise it. It doesn't have to be today, this month or even anytime in the foreseeable future. Just don't throw it out, don't forget about it.