So, just how much is 50,000 words?
To put it in perspective it comes out to 175 double-spaced type written pages using a 12-point Courier font – each page containing about 286 words (on average).
In order to stay on track to hit the 50K word mark in November, you need to produce at least 1,667 words of written manuscript a day - which comes out to almost 6 pages of type-written copy – per day.
How long can this take you on a daily basis?
Typically, I am one of those writers that constantly re-reads, corrects and changes what I write during the first rough draft. The cool thing about NaNoWriMo is that you can release yourself from any self-imposed restrictions and run free. Forget about spelling and punctuation for now – let it go. What’s most important is to get the story out onto the page and just write, write, write.
When you have a good idea of what your story is about and you are in flow mode, you can knock-off 1,667 words in less than a couple of hours. If you are in the flow you will most probably go way beyond the 1,667 daily goal. This is good. It will keep you ahead of schedule.
If the words are taking a while to form, you can potentially put in over 3 hours (not necessarily in a row) to meet the daily word count.
If you don’t make the daily goal – it’s okay. The important thing is that you dedicate time to your craft every day and write something. It doesn’t matter if you hit the 50K mark in 30-days. It’s more important that you adapt the new habit of writing every day. Even if it’s only 250 words a day, that’s 250% more than you were doing before.
Writing isn’t a destination; it’s a journey and a lifestyle. The scramble to try and reach that 50K mark is manic fun – and it should be – but what is often over looked is that participation in NaNoWriMo will help build your writing muscle and adapt the writing lifestyle. I know, as that’s what it’s done for me.
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