NaNoWriMo 2016 Survival Tip #4

T-minus eight days until the end of this year's NaNoWriMo! For some people, we're getting into the hardest part of this month. Maybe your outline has run out, or your stuck as to where to go next, or you realize that there's eight days left and you're only at 30% of your word count goal (like me...).

I know that one of my personal issues right now is keeping up my own interest in my story. I think that sometimes we have those projects that we know are sort of passion projects; the ones we are absolutely determined to see the end, no matter what. I've had two of those in the past, but my NaNo novel for this year isn't one of them. Sure, I'd like to see it finished, but it isn't one that inspires me as much as my passion projects did. However, whatever happens after this month, I still want to reach my word count goal in the next eight days (hey, it's still possible) and that leads me to my fourth NaNoWriMo Survival Tip, for all of you who are in the same boat as me at this stage in the game.


Survival Tip #4: Rediscover Your Love for Your Book

Writing a book really can be thought of like a relationship. At the beginning, it's new and exciting and you're desperately in love with the book. You've got a ton of plans for where it is going, and it doesn't seem like anything can stop you. Then you get to that awkward portion where you aren't sure what to do anymore. Conversations on the phone end up something like: "So how was your day?" "Fine. How was yours?" "Fine." "..." "..." "Bye then." Nothing new happens. The spark fizzles a little. Your plot slows to a snail's pace, and you can no longer connect to your characters. (Obviously this isn't true of every story, and definitely not true of every relationship. It's just an analogy to prove a point.)

So how do you reconnect with your book? How do you bring back the spark to that relationship? Well, first you have to decide what the actual problem is. While this could be any number of things, I'm going to focus on two very common ones: characters and plot.

Problem 1: You aren't connecting to your characters

If you're losing interest in your book because the characters are falling flat, or you don't feel an emotional connection to them, or you don't have a clear idea of their motivations, spend some time fleshing them out. Build them a backstory. There are probably hundreds of character questionnaires out there on the internet to help you figure out who your characters are, what they fear, what they are fighting for, what their favorite colors are. One of the best ones that I have found is by the author of the Percy Jackson books, Rick Riordan. His character profile worksheet, as well as more advice for writers, can be found here.

If you still don't feel like you can connect to your characters, find a way to define their motivations. What is their reason for engaging in the conflict presented in your story? What is keeping them going, and thus keeping you going?

Or maybe the issue is one of emotional connection. One thing a lot of articles will tell you is that if you don't feel anything for the character, then the reader won't either. At this stage, you are probably not worrying a lot about the reader, but it is something to keep in the back of your mind. That aside, though, if you don't feel anything for the character, you won't feel particularly motivated to keep writing about them. So find something to add in to make that connection, and see if it helps bring life back to your relationship with them.

Problem 2: The stakes aren't high enough

Maybe your story is feeling a little bit flat and boring. Nothing is really happening, or things are happening but are being resolved too quickly. Or it's ending up like one of the kiddie rollercoasters.
 http://www.littlesquire.com.au/Portals/0/Images/Catalogue/full/Mini-Roller-Coaster.jpg

There was a jump of conflict at the beginning, then some declining action, then a little bump again, and then a coast to the end. This is fairly boring, and not only is it not going to hold the reader's attention, but it also isn't likely to hold your attention. The trick now is turning that little mini roller coaster into something epic.


http://www.secretgiggle.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/crazy-rollercoasters-11.jpg

In a past article, I discussed what to do if you feel like your plot needs a boost, so for now I'll leave you with the (simple, vague, and mildly unhelpful) advice to try to increase conflict and tension in order to get something interesting happening, and get yourself interested again.

Hopefully this helps you to rekindle your relationship with your book, and good luck to all going into the final week of NaNoWriMo!