How do those people who write a book in a month do it?
IMO, they harness either consciously or unconsciously a
technique used by professional writers who are always under deadline. They just
write.
A professional writer under deadline is always setting goals
and figuring out how to get to them. The Nano writer (writes without a
publisher) takes the month, decides on the word count, divides by thirty and
writes that amount per day. For instance if you have a 60,000 word goal then 30
divided into 60,000 equals 2000 words a day. Of course family, friends, lovers
get in the way so let’s say you only have twenty days in a month. That’s 3000
per day. This is more realistic. But how to do it. Well, have a morning and
then an afternoon session of 1500 each.
The Nano writer must have a goal for their characters, must
have conflict in mind for every scene, must know the general direction and try
to picture the path to get there. And most of all, the writer must have perseverance.
Why? Because in the end she has no agent, publisher, or editor.
A professional writer has it all but still must perform.
Their product will be more polished because they have and will go through the
editing process with an experienced pro who had or will work for the publisher
of their previous and present efforts.
So how can a Nano writer score? It is not a taboo if you
have a favorite agent who has tried for you in the past or likes your idea and
says the magic words, “let me see it when it is done,” you’re on your way. But
it is so much better if you have an editor that can fit your timeframe. Hey, you
could always take two or three months (or more). Many professionals do. Include
time for a turnaround with an editor that you might hire.
The more you commit, Nano or not, to a writing speed and
stick to it, the more professional you become and the more likely your story
will get published.
On another note, some authors take a year or two but who has
the time? Tighten it up. If you can’t now you will next time.
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