Q: Novels written for NaNoWriMo usually end up being around 50,000 words long. You should set a goal for yourself that sounds achievable but challenging. Be realistic about what you think you can get done in 30 days, but also don’t make it too easy for yourself. You could also set a goal of writing a certain number of chapters or a specific number of double-spaced pages. Set a goal that makes the most sense for you and your novel. You can simply divide the overall number by 30 and make that your daily quota, or you can set different quotas for different days so you can vary your pace. Just make sure that you’re planning to write enough each day to reach your overall goal! If you put it off, the challenge will only seem harder! You might be anxious about starting, but the sooner you begin the sooner you can find your groove. You don’t always have to start writing a novel at its beginning, but for writing one in 30 days it will probably be best to write it linearly from beginning to end. Many writers find that they write most effectively when they work at regular times and in regular places. Choose a time of day you’d think you’d most enjoy writing -- whether it’s morning, afternoon, or night -- and try to write every day at that time. The more you can make writing a part of your daily routine, the easier it will become for you. Try to stay away from the Internet, your phone, TV, socializing, and other distractions while you write. Especially when you feel stuck in your writing, it can be very easy to lose time  by letting yourself get distracted. Try leaving your phone in a different room and disabling your wifi while you write. For example, you could treat yourself to a piece of chocolate every time you write 1,000 words or plan to have a nice meal at your favorite restaurant when you finish your draft. These small rewards can help keep you motivated! The goal of writing a novel in 30 days is to get a first draft down, not to achieve perfection. Even if you don’t like something you’ve just written, force yourself to keep going. There will be time to edit later if you want to!
A: Set an overall word-count goal. Set a daily word-count quota. Start writing at the beginning of the month. Establish a routine that works for you. Avoid distractions. Make checkpoints with rewards for yourself. Avoid editing until you’re done with the draft.

Q: The people you spend the most time with are a reflection of you. As the old saying goes, "birds of a feather flock together". Examine your social circle to see if the individuals you are around on a daily or weekly basis represent you well. These people should have characteristics and traits that you admire, traits that someday may rub off on you. Resist the urge to surround yourself with people who may be fun or exciting in the moment, but pull you away from reaching your potential.  Hans F. Hansen said, "People inspire you or they drain you. Choose them wisely." Exercise this in your life by assessing those closest to you. Think about how you feel with these people. Do they lift you up and motivate you? Do they encourage you to have healthy, positive habits? If you have people around you that are draining or bringing you down, you could be sacrificing reaching your potential by keeping them in your life. Decide if you need to cut off contact with people who are not representative of the life you want to lead. Discover your unique abilities and talents, and be sure to make use of them every day. By doing this, you hone your abilities and make them even better. When you work to your strengths, you give the world the very best of you. Plus, you boost your self-confidence and feel more accomplished. This is not to say it is unimportant to analyze your weaknesses - it is very important to know what areas you could use work. However, knowing and playing to your strengths enables you to realize your dreams and self-actualize. Think about it: you were given these gifts for a reason. Use them! While you are on the journey of self-actualization, remember to take time off to be good to yourself. Pushing yourself further and further can be a good thing, but everyone requires breaks and self-care to jump back in the saddle at 100%. When you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, turn to a few self-care practices that let you clear your mind and relieve negative energy so that it does not affect the work you are doing on yourself.  Self-care consists of any activities you can engage in that promote mental, physical, or emotional well-being. This will look different for different people. It may include taking a bubble bath, writing in a journal, exercising, meditating, praying or virtually any activity you find relaxing. Test out a few activities to see what works best for you and call on them when you're feeling stressed. A daily or weekly ritual might be a great idea to implement to fend off stress before it becomes too much. Maintain a good relationship with yourself. Sometimes, we can get so caught up in life that we neglect ourselves. Regularly get in touch with your inner self and run a diagnostic. Is there something that you need? Do you need a break? Spend time with yourself and frequently reassess where you're headed and if you like where you're going. We are all works in progress, so don't fret when you have to change your plans or regroup. Be a champion for yourself!
A:
Surround yourself with positive people. Magnify your strengths. Treat yourself. Build self-trust and relax.