November came and went like a blur––for those of us writing NaNoWriMo, it was 30 days of consistent (or not so consistent) writing right up until the end. But now we’re faced with the challenge of what we’re going to do now that NaNoWriMo is over.
We have a couple of options available to us: take a break, continue writing our work in progress, or begin your editing journey.
Taking a Break
I want you to know that taking a break from your writing is completely acceptable. In fact, I strongly encourage it. Make plans for your weekend, see friends you didn’t get to see during NaNoWriMo, and take time for yourself.
This goes for everyone who did and did not write those 50,000 words during NaNoWriMo. November was a month full of creativity and writing, but it was also a time of stress. And it is important to listen to our bodies and take note of our mental health. A part of that is making sure that we’re having a moment of pause.
I’m not saying to just shove your writing aside for the next month––that’s actually not something I recommend doing. But it is important to take a few days or the weekend to just enjoy time to yourself.
Taking a break is especially important for those who not only finished NaNoWriMo but also finished their novel. It is recommended to take a break after writing your first draft so you can look at with fresh eyes.
Continue Writing Your Work in Progress
Another option is to continue writing. This option is great for those of you who may not have written the 50,000 words in NaNoWriMo or have not finished writing your novel.
I wrote 50,000 words during NaNoWriMo, but my novel is still not over. I only got until chapter 21 of my 27 chapter novel, which means I still have writing to do before my first draft of my novel is complete. So for the first half of December, I will continue to write my novel and ideally finish it by mid-December where I will then put it away and focus on another work in progress until I’m ready to begin the editing process.
Begin Your Editing Journey
I know there are some of you who may have finished your novel during NaNoWriMo. Congratulations! That is amazing and I am so proud of you.
That being said, I recommend taking a break before diving into your editing journey. You’ve been in your characters’ world for an entire month and it might be good to go out, experience the real world, and then edit your novel.
Editing your novel can take a while and it is be easier said than done. Regardless, take a deep breath and begin to work on editing your novel––one page at a time. You may find that you need to rewrite entire chapters, or you may need a few simple edits. It really depends on your writing and editing style.
No matter what you decide to do during December, pick a path and stick to it. I am so proud of everyone who participated in NaNoWriMo and I cannot wait to see what we all accomplish next.
Elizabeth Yuen 