Have you participated in NaNoWriMo this April? I have taken part in Nanowrimo for a few years and although it can be a really enjoyable experience, it can also heap on the pressure. This year, my main project is a novel, which I had started at the beginning of March. I had already written up a grand total of 22,000 words; my goal was to then use NaNoWriMo to get down another 22,000 for April. I’m happy to report that this strategy works exceedingly well for me.

Covid-19, let’s face it, it’s impossible to discuss anything without mentioning this horrible situation. On March 1st, I had set out a weekly word count that would fit around my working life. Then Covid-19 really hit here in Ireland and I, like many others, found myself unemployed. Initially, I was going to increase the word count but I felt that, if and when we get back to normal, I would find it difficult to adjust. Therefore, I stuck to my original plan and it has worked so well for me.

Now, we’re nearing the end of NaNoWriMo 2020 and I have set myself another 22,000 words for May; this time, I will be tackling the typewriter without NaNoWriMo. However, I’m looking forward to May and the final block of words that I have challenged myself with. My goal is to finish my first draft by the end of May and then I will edit for June. That’s the goal! but if this year has thought us anything, it’s that plans don’t always go the way you want them to. Anyway, onwards and upwards.

 

M.A Coote