I Won NaNoWriMo... Now What?
Back in college, I acted*. Every winter break I would begin the work I would need to do for whatever bit part I was casted as in whatever Shakespeare production the director decided on. Once the semester started, I'd be eyes deep in rehearsal and any other theatre related class was required for that production** for three months; this didn't include all regularly scheduled classes.
Once the production came and went, and I recovered from my four day coma and predictable immune system collapse, I would say "I have so much free time that I have no clue what to do."
NaNoWriMo is kinda like that.
Chances are you've recovered from the November writing and food coma and are now wondering what to do with this first NaNo-free weekend, writing-wise. Whatever you do, don't query your 2010 project. Just. Don't. As agent Scott Eagan said, it needs a lot of work.
Instead of mail-bombing every agent you can find, let your manuscript sit. This is the most important thing ever. I left last year's project alone for eight months while I went back to the revision board for FALLING TO NORMAL. If you left a project for NaNoWriMo, this is the time to reacquaint yourself with it.
A lot of NaNoWriMo regions have Thank Goodness It's Over parties to celebrate writerly success. If you've participated in any region events over the course of the month, the TGIO is a good way to bring closure for the year. You can say goodbye to people you won't see until next November and have fun while doing it. For example, I'll be attending the Boston region's party this weekend.
Just because you're not editing your manuscript doesn't mean you can't think about it. If you have nothing else going on, consider Plot Whisperer's Plot Writing Month. It's designed for you to revision your plot so your second draft will be that much stronger.
What are some things you do to combat the NaNoWriMo blues?
* Badly.
** These additional free-of-charge classes included, but weren't limited to: clowning, improv, movement, and Linklater voice training.
______________
Last.fm hit of the day: Hungry by White Lion
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Once the production came and went, and I recovered from my four day coma and predictable immune system collapse, I would say "I have so much free time that I have no clue what to do."
NaNoWriMo is kinda like that.
Chances are you've recovered from the November writing and food coma and are now wondering what to do with this first NaNo-free weekend, writing-wise. Whatever you do, don't query your 2010 project. Just. Don't. As agent Scott Eagan said, it needs a lot of work.
Instead of mail-bombing every agent you can find, let your manuscript sit. This is the most important thing ever. I left last year's project alone for eight months while I went back to the revision board for FALLING TO NORMAL. If you left a project for NaNoWriMo, this is the time to reacquaint yourself with it.
A lot of NaNoWriMo regions have Thank Goodness It's Over parties to celebrate writerly success. If you've participated in any region events over the course of the month, the TGIO is a good way to bring closure for the year. You can say goodbye to people you won't see until next November and have fun while doing it. For example, I'll be attending the Boston region's party this weekend.
Just because you're not editing your manuscript doesn't mean you can't think about it. If you have nothing else going on, consider Plot Whisperer's Plot Writing Month. It's designed for you to revision your plot so your second draft will be that much stronger.
What are some things you do to combat the NaNoWriMo blues?
* Badly.
** These additional free-of-charge classes included, but weren't limited to: clowning, improv, movement, and Linklater voice training.
______________
Last.fm hit of the day: Hungry by White Lion