Photo by Bogdan Farca on Unsplash
NaNoWriMo is looming its 50K word head again. Last year I Frankensteined it, stitching together several projects including getting this blog prepared for 2024. It has held me in good stead not to worry about creating things on the regular and I’ve been able to concentrate on longer works throughout the year.
One of the cool things about the NaNoWriMo team is their constant support of writing throughout the year at their blog “The NaNoWriMo Blog”. (okay, not the most original name, but it is easy to remember.)
A great post is “Write Meow! 4 Writing Tips Cats Teach Us” written by Megan Jenkins posted October 30, 2023. (https://blog.nanowrimo.org/post/732643913309011968/write-meow-4-writing-tips-cats-teach-us?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NaNo%2023%20Engagement%201&utm_content=NaNo%2023%20Engagement%201+CID_caf0cfb6a1acca00b6c60815d98e4e90&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Write%20Meow%204%20Writing%20Tips%20Cats%20Teach%20Us)
- Have a Routine – Cats love their routines for foods and pets, plan your writing around them.
- Take Breaks – If you need a nap, grab it. Don’t stare at the laser pointer all day.
- Prioritize Meals – Don’t make your cat drop a mouse on your keyboard because you forget to feed yourself when typing. Eat regularly and it gives you the energy to hunt and peck at the keyboard.
- Focus on the Present – Write now, edit later. Take advantage of that scrolling memory and look at the novel with fresh eyes for the second draft, after the first draft is done.
Your cat wishes you luck, though they will never admit it.