NaNoWriMo is underway! No matter if you’re playing by official rules or just along for the ride (and ambient motivation), there are a couple of features in Habitica that might help this month feel a bit less daunting. (As a little gift, I’ve snuck in some of my favorite articles about writing, for more process-specific advice!)

Plot Points as a To Do Checklist

Are you a plotter, not a pantser? No matter if you’re using the Snowflake Method, a Shakespearean-style five-act structure, or Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey as a skeleton for your story, it can be helpful to break your plot outline into individual tasks so you can check them off as you go. Maybe you’ll pick up a new pet to accompany you as you add to the word count!

Use a Dailies Checklist to Establish a Routine

Did you know that you can also put checklists under each of your dailies? This is a handy way to remind yourself what the next step is, to help create a ritual that guides you into the writing mood. Mine look like this (partially inspired by the articles “How I Went From Writing 2,000 Words a Day to 10,000 Words a Day” and “Script Diary“):

Recognize Your Accomplishments: Use Custom Rewards!

Writing projects, like all creative endeavours, are not easy tasks to undertake. Make sure you’re allowing yourself a reward once in a while, whether it’s a favorite snack for every batch of words completed, getting to write in a beautiful notebook you’ve been hoarding for a special occasion, or even some reading time to refill the well of inspiration.

The Habitica team wishes you all good luck with your writing this month and every month–we’re look forward to reading your work!