The fifteen minute burst method
On the forums, someone posted a method for sprinting towards the goal line and achieving nanowrimo glory.
1. Commit. (No really! Decide once again to finish.)
2. Write for 15 minutes. Ramble, coast, pad out scenes, whatever. Don’t stop and definitely don’t think about it. Just typey-type until your fingers get warm and numb.
3. Stop after 15 minutes and take a break of at least 15 minutes. The break is important. Go hang out with the cat or watch TV or both.
4. Repeat! Try for 200 words per session, and do it as often as you can.
So last night and today, I watched football games and wrote. My word count for each 15 minute session varied between 551 and 893 words. For some reason, it’s just easier at night, so last night I was storming through.
Anyway, I pushed my way into 43K, and now my progress page says “with 5 days left, expected to finish in 5 days.” This is much better than being expected to finish in, say 12 days with 5 days left. I saw that on Friday.
Thursday, we’re done!
Sweet. Now it seems only a Kevin-like injury could keep you from your goal. But since you’re Eric, not Kevin, you should be okay.
Dude! I am amazed, impressed… blown away!
I have to admit, there was a moment there where I wasn’t entirely sure, where your sea-legs were wobbly and I feared you would be on your knees. I hate to have lost faith like that. But now… WOW!!
You are really almost there!
I can’t wait to read it and the timing will be just right to read it if you are so inclined to offer it up for reading.
Way to go!