Navigating NaNoWriMo: Overcoming Writer’s Block and Pushing Through the 50,000 Word Barrier

As the 17th of November dawns, I find myself at 51,494 words, but the journey to 50,000 is merely half the story. NaNoWriMo is an intense and rewarding experience, but it also presents challenges that even seasoned writers like myself must face.

Setbacks and Successes

Although my goal for NaNoWriMo since 2002 has always been to achieve 50,000 words, the reality is far more nuanced. My primary objective is to establish a direction and a rough draft of the book. By November's end, I take a break, analyze the work, and decide what to keep and what to discard, charting a new path for the rest of the year. The typical November output for me hovers around 80,000 words, but this year, unexpected winds blew in a few weeks prior, leading to a sudden surge in momentum.

It’s a testament to my dedication that I maintained this pace, only to stall at the cusp of the 50,000-word goal. Despite the initial surge on November 28, the following days saw minimal progress, a mere 200 words over those two days. This pattern reflects a wider trend in my NaNoWriMo experience: once the milestone is achieved, the motivational boost wanes, and the writing pace slows down significantly.

A Psychological Phenomenon

This phenomenon isn't new to me. Over the years, my completion of the 50,000-word goal marks a peak, followed by a decline in productivity. Each previous win at Nanowrimo followed the same trajectory, with the same struggle to maintain momentum after crossing the 50,000-word threshold. In a sense, I have learned to accept this pattern as part of my November writing routine. However, I remain committed to pushing past this stall, whether through sheer willpower or unlocking a new method to sustain my motivation.

Balancing Effort and Commitment

One wonders whether too much effort is invested in a single month, leading to burnout. Perhaps the perceived quality of my writing—often described as a combination of terrible plot twists and cliched elements—becomes too apparent, demotivating me. Or perhaps, I allow the pressure of the 50,000-word goal to compromise my creative flow. These questions gnaw at me as I contemplate my approach for the coming year.

Resilient Spirit

Despite the challenges, I remain enthusiastic about NaNoWriMo. I've purchased merchandise, worn the official shirt, and served as a Marchlator (ML) for three years. I dive deep into the NaNoWriMo spirit, and I hope to breathe new life into my writing this year. I aspire to not only complete the 50,000-word goal but also to finish a full first draft for a novel of significant length, with a coherent beginning, middle, and end.

Only time will tell if this year marks a turning point. But with renewed hope and determination, I am ready to face the challenge head-on, eager to see how far I can push myself beyond the 50,000-word barrier.

Conclusion

The road to 50,000 words is fraught with twists and turns, and the journey beyond is equally challenging. But with the right mindset and a commitment to pushing through, the impossible becomes possible. As I embark on this new year and another NaNoWriMo, I hope to bring a fresh perspective and a renewed sense of purpose to my writing. Here’s to hoping that this year’s NaNoWriMo will lead me to a new and exciting chapter in my writing journey.