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Writing a novel is a huge undertaking and there are a number of ways to go about it. Some authors write an extensive outline that acts as a sort of road map as they write. Basically, the author plots the entire book in the outline. It’s the written equivalent to say, a storyboard like filmmakers use to make a movie. Some authors just write and then revise and revise and then, revise again. There is no right way to do it. You do what works best for you.

I began writing at the beginning of April. I completed more than 10000 words in the first week. The sense of accomplishment was awesome. I’d never written anything that long. Then I choked. It’s like the writing gods stole my motivation. I haven’t even opened my manuscript in 3 weeks. I had set a goal to have the rough draft completed by month’s end. I’m not going to reach that goal.

I don’t have some miraculous tip that will help you make it through the duration of this endeavor. I can only relay the advice any writer would give you and I’m talking to myself: KEEP WRITING. Don’t get wound up in doing too much research or reading too much “help” information (like this post). Just write. Anything that is not writing is procrastination. Any time that you spend doing other things is time you are NOT writing.

If you feel unmotivated, write anyway. In my next post, I’m going to provide some links to FREE writing software. I actually downloaded an alternative software to my word processing program to motivate myself further. Why? Word processing programs are designed to handle A LOT of different tasks including, but not limited to, novel writing. There are several programs available just for the writer that help you compartmentalize and organize your writing in manageable chunks.

This will help not only with feeling overwhelmed, but it’s much easier to proofread and organize small chunks rather than pages and pages of text. At 10000 words, pages and pages is what you have. So stay tuned and find out if any of this software will help you in your journey.

If you’ve already choked, get some advice: http://prowebwriter.com/too-late-im-stuck-at-10000-words/