By Jennifer Blanchard
Eleven days until the start of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
You’ve already plotted your novel. You’ve been introduced to your main characters. You’ve started to work on your schedule.
And if that wasn’t enough, here’s a list of suggestions to help you find even more room in your schedule for writing:
- Hire a babysitter a couple nights a week.
- Hire a dog walker or ask a friend to walk your dog for you.
- Outsource cleaning for the month (either by asking your kids/significant other to help or by hiring a cleaning service).
- Write during your lunch break.
- Get up a little early and write.
- Order take out instead of making dinner a couple nights a week.
- Make a couple large meals one night and eat leftovers the rest of the week instead of cooking.
- Record your weekly TV shows instead of watching them live.
- Cancel/reschedule all non-required plans for the month of November (or don’t make any plans that you don’t have to make).
- Buy groceries in bulk one day a week, rather than running to the store everyday.
- Use some of your PTO or vacation days (or maybe even a sick day!).
- “Write” your novel into a tape recorder instead of typing it all.
- Use voice-to-text software to tell your story.
- Send your laundry out for cleaning (or have someone else do it for you).
These are just a few suggestions. There are TONS of ways to find additional writing time in your schedule.
With a few shifts in your usual way of doing things, you can write your NaNoWriMo novel.
If you’re participating in NaNoWriMo this year and would like help staying motivated throughout the entire challenge, be sure to sign up for my 30 Days of NaNoWriMo Tips for Procrastinating Writers e-mail newsletter.
About the Author: Jennifer Blanchard is founder of Procrastinating Writers. Be sure to follow her on Twitter.
