nanowrimo_lj | Pep Card: Day 30 (& 31)

Pep Card: Day 30

One of the hardest parts about writing a 30-day novel is knowing what to do with yourself after it ends. Studies have shown that both men and women suffer from postpartum depression after the birth of their child, and you shouldn't be too surprised if you come down with a touch of the blues as you put your baby to bed.

My Advice:
Make the transition from intense creative period back to normal life easier by tackling a few of those nonessential things you've been putting on hold this past month. Go grocery shopping. Call people back. Make appointments. But still, no dishwashing. Please. Let's not get crazy.

And because the kit is uber helpful and geared towards doing the month-long novel at any time of the year, there is a final card for the months with 31 days. Here it is, in all its glory:

Pep Card: Day 31

Holy cow. Either you finished writing yesterday, or you're going to wrap things up tonight. If you do cross the 50,000-word finish line, please be sure to retrieve the Badge of the Triumphant Wordsmith, and in a solemn ceremony, attach it to your chest. Then, run whooping and screaming to deliver the news of your amazing victory to the world. If you came up short of 50,000 words, but wrote your heart out, you still deserve to do some hollering. Spending an entire month exploring, crafting and creating is a remarkable artistic achievement, regardless of word count.

What comes now is up to you. Maybe you're eager to revise and expand the story, getting it ready for publication. Or perhaps you're just ready for a nice long nap. Whatever the next step, I wish you well on your journey, and I salute you for your hard work and literary chutzpah these past thirty days. You're truly an inspiration.

Day 30 & 31 flashcards from the No Plot? No Problem! writing kit, the genius brainchild of Chris Baty.

Congrats to all those that finished, and - most importantly! - to all those that tried. See you in 2008!