NaNoWriMo Day 24: Ways to Keep the Inspiration Going

Published by Rita Mock-Pike at November 24, 2021

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Usually, when I cross the 30,000-word mark each year, my inspiration for NaNoWriMo begins to wane. So, I thought it might be good to work through some of the things I do to keep the inspiration going. I hope my workarounds are things that help keep your motivation flowing all November long!

Read an article, book, or website on the subject matter
Listen to music that sets the mood (Need a sad scene? Crank up some Billie Holiday. Working on a love scene? Tune in to the crooning of Michael Buble. How about a whiney teenage girl moment? Blast some Miley Cyrus. Oh, wait…did I say that out loud?)
Watch a t.v. show, movie, or documentary that has something to do with your topic.
Do a writing exercise (here are some: Writer’s Digest Writing Exercises, Daily Writing Tip’s Writing Exercises, University of Denver offers some as well, as does teacher/author Meredith Sue Willis.)
Write a terrible limerick or haiku about your least favorite character in the book you’re working on, then figure out how and where it might be inserted into your story.
Imagine what would happen if a superhero, like Superman, were to suddenly enter your plotline. Now, write all the reasons that would never work (or would!). Or ask your character what she would do if she could have any superpower. And why?
Write character bios for your lead characters. First, fill out their entire history. Then, use that information to move a scene forward.
Read another author’s work. Better yet, read a novel or short story set in the same era or location as your book.
Take a ten-minute walk. Ponder your characters, the plot, the story climax, the dénouement, the back-story that your readers will never know…whatever you want to, just keep the book as the focus!
Bribe yourself. For every 1,667 words you write, you get to (insert something that would motivate you to get those words written as quickly as possible!)…
Chat up your best friend with plot ideas, info about your characters, etc. Make it an ongoing conversation on Facebook, Instagram, Skype, Discord, wherever you chat most. If possible, get them to offer ideas…but be specific. Or even give them an assignment. (For my book “Drop Dead Daisy,” I asked my friend to go pick out the drumkit for the band’s drummer.) Keep chatting it up…and you’ll discover all sorts of inspiration from one of your best sources.

What are some things you do to keep the inspiration going while you write with a deadline?

Looking for more writing inspiration? Check out these other offerings from the MockingOwls.

Rita Mock-Pike

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Editor-in-Chief of The MockingOwl Roost, Rita Mock-Pike is the granddaughter of aviatrix, Jerrie Mock, first woman to pilot an airplane solo around the world. Rita has found inspiration from her grandmother’s life and flight and pursued many of her own dreams in theatre, podcasting, novel writing, and cooking up delicious food from around the world. She now writes on food, travel, pets, faith, and the arts. She’s happily married to Matt, and faithfully serves the very fluffy kitten queen, Lady Stardust.