Tips to help you address your delayed, skipped, or just not happening for you yet AcWriMo experience

I set the best intentions for Academic Writing Month (AcWriMo) this November. It’s a month of writing. Dedicated time to write. And a community who are also doing this. Tick mega extra support and ideas floating around within the academic writing and research community that are just so motivating. AcWriMo is in my diary (always a year ahead, I’ve not missed it since 2012), I have chunks of time blocked out. I know my goals. But despite being involved every year, being a mega advocate (what it is and why I do it) it just hasn’t happened for me this year. Why? Because life happened. A freak accident impacting myself and my partner has meant priorities have significantly changed. For me personally, I’ve have taken sick leave unexpectedly and balanced this with carers leave. But you know what this freak accident has gifted? A resetting of boundaries which has included expectations. That’s a boundary we often do not think about nor even factor in. For all of us life happens. We all negotiate different roles, multiple roles that are often ignored. With this comes surprises. Surprise can actually be gifts and reminders but in all honesty we don’t usually view it like this. So let’s take whatever is happening for you in regard to your approach to AcWriMo and do some flipping and tuning into what is right for you.

So, a few shifts are required…here’s my three tips for three different scenarios you might be experiencing:

Scenario 1 - Starting slow

Slow is good. It means you can initially create a writing habit...but note to self: don’t let slow be because you are procrastinating or avoiding.
Reconnect with your writing goal. Is it right for you? Does it need tweaking? What might be the barrier(s) to working on this goal that perhaps is contributing to starting slow? How can you flip the barrier(s)?
Create a pattern of ‘write and reward’. Your reward should be connected to an accomplishment celebration that means something to you...a self-talk cheer, a walk, a change of location, a new cup of coffee, lunch with a friend, a big tick on your accomplishment list, noting how your writing track of time is growing, etc.

Scenario 2: Haven’t started yet

Sweet, no stress, there is plenty of time to join in. But, ask yourself these questions: Do you want to join in AcWriMo this year? Or do you want to plan ahead for next year now? Or do you want to just carve out some writing time and get your writing habit and boundaries all set up regardless of the time of year?
Action the response you had to the above questions (and if you said yes to all three, then pick the one question that is the strongest and needs some attention). Mark up your diary, carve out the time, set your goal, and get yourself set up with your cues so you can be successful with your decision. For example, Cue: you end the day with your desk cleaded, 54 browsers closed, reading/data analysis/writing plan completed, and intention for tomorrow’s writing set. Task: Write. Reward: select a reward that means something for you (you may even borrow from tip 3 of scenario 1).
Just start. You only need to do at least 15 minutes of new word writing to begin. And hey, it will inspire you.

Totally skipped it but want to get started

Pick up from now, don’t judge yourself on what you have missed, just look at the time that is left.
Book yourself. Book that time in your diary for when you know your brain works best for new words. And lock in some time to read to help those new words flow as well. Do this all around how you know you work best. And heads up...small pockets of time are so ok; it is better than none at all.
Manage your expectations about what you can achieve.

Bonus tip. You might gain momentum so let the carved out writing time move into December by continuing to book yourself.