NaNoWriMo: 5 reasons to let your mind do the writing

It's almost that time again when authors everywhere dive into a month of marathon book-writing known as National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo). The gist: Authors and aspiring authors commit to churning out 1,667 words a day for the 30 days of November so that at the end of the month they have a 50,000-word novel. Anything goes and going back to edit what's already been written is firmly discouraged. To help us prepare for this year's NaNoWriMo, Dana Volney, author of Christmas Clash (arriving Nov. 3), offers five reasons to let your mind do the writing.

Dana:

• When you panic about the word count, both the daily and final, your brain rumbles. It jumbles and hollers and starts forming characters, plots, and jokes all at once. Let that happen. Whether you are a plotter or pantser, the process starts in the same way. We freak. Let the freak happen. Fly that freak flag high — it's going to serve you well.

• As humans, for better or worse, we recognize character traits, patterns, story arcs and the emotion that draw us to and away from people. It's programmed in our DNA. It's engrained in our subconscious. It's our right brain — unleash it. When you're developing a story (remember the freak-out your mind had?) and 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 1 clicks, which starts your hands tapping away at the keyboard, your brain knows how to tell a story. It might not know to write "she wished" instead of "she was wishing" to make your words stronger, but it knows how to get you from point A to B all the way to H. Let it go (I dare you not to sing the song right now, le sigh).

• NaNoWriMo doesn't give you much downtime to ponder, muse, consider, relapse and realize your insecurities. Be strong. Power through. Know you're on a roll and it'll all be OK. IT'LL ALL BE OK. You're involved in an intense exercise of your mind. Write every day. And, when you fall behind, don't second-guess yourself or worry about the word count. Write when you're tired. Create extra characters, add in persnickety pets and a spaceship or two. Play around with your story. Let your characters roam free … they may just stumble onto gold.

• Have a goal. Whether it be the full 50k or less, make one. Picture holding your new manuscript all shiny and 50,000 words strong. Goals are helpful. They can keep you on track, give you satisfaction, and, as mentioned above, lambast you. Now that you know your goal, forget it. Be entertained. Don't look at your word count after every single sentence. (That one was 10 words, btw.) November is the time to own your goal and make it happen. Don't just want to be a writer — be one. Enjoy writing again. It's a business, absolutely. It can also be your hobby, your secret crush, your friend and your pleasure. Write for the sheer joy of putting butt in seat, fingers on keyboard and dream. Dream big. Dream in colors, senses and emotion. Forget reality — make your own.

• After NaNoWriMo. AFTER NaNoWriMo, ruminate. Think about your story, your characters, your plot, your arc, your favorite scene. Then revise. Make your lightning-fast 50,000 words in 30 days hum like the music you heard while you typed. You have already done the stressful part — you've created a story — one that needs to be nurtured with a loving left brain. Analyze the story, edit, check your grammar, find a fantastic editor ( I love mine), talk about it with critique partners, fix it more then start submitting. You got this.

My next holiday novella, Christmas Clash, releases through Crimson Romance on Nov. 3. Christmas Clash started as a NaNoWriMo manuscript and ended with a signed contract. NaNoWriMo worked for me, and if you'll accept the process for the entertainment, good times, commiserating with others, making new friends, pleasurable writing motivation it's meant to be, I know it will for you as well.

Here's the blurb about Christmas Clash:

For the first time in her life, Candace Ellison is determined to stand on her own two feet. When the city council's new convention center project threatens to demolish her new flower shop, Kiss from a Rose, she vows to win the fight without help from her wealthy and well-connected family.

But to keep her doors open, she'll have to turn to an even unlikelier source—Luke Carrigan. Problem is she hasn't been able to get along with the guy since that fateful day they met ... back in kindergarten.

There's more than building blocks and coloring books on the line now though. Luke's recently inherited his family pub, and isn't about to let the city put a wrecking ball through years of memories and tradition. This is his chance to show his family he can be more than just the fun-loving, favored son ... except Luke's not exactly singing "Jingle Bells" at having to strategize with spoiled Candace.

The only hope they have is in finding some common ground. Will this Christmas bring miracles or the destruction of everything these old rivals love?

Find out more about Dana and her books at danavolney.com.