NaNoWriMo Day 6: When You're Stuck

We're almost a week into NaNoWriMo, which means that if you're on track, you'll have written a little over 10,000 words.

If this is you, congratulations!! You're doing awesome.

If not, though, you're in good company. Or, if not "good," at least company. After all my ranting about how the daily word goals for NaNo really aren't that ambitious, I've still managed to fail at them every day except for day 1. Part of that is because I broke my knee and have been laid up in pain since Saturday, but a large part of it is also because I'm just feeling blocked and uninspired lately. 

This is often how it goes for me. I have a period of good work, good flow, I get into a rhythm, and then I burn out. I get empty. Life gets on top of me-- which, with two toddlers, a messy house, an empty bank account, and a broken knee, is kinda understandable-- and the words screech to a violent stop  slow down.

So how do we get back on track and unstick ourselves?

I'm currently trying some things out, and I will report back later this week on how well each of these things is going. I'm trying listening to music, reading, dialing back my TV habit, letting myself be bored, and re-reading what I wrote last. I'll also be doing some free-writing and word sprints. 

This is a short and mostly pointless post. I suppose my main objective is just to let you know that if you're lagging behind on your word count, losing enthusiasm for your novel, or losing faith in yourself on the whole, you are not alone, and this is normal. Keep working. Keep trying. Keep showing up. It will come.

I hope.