Playing November for points
November does still feel like an event, even with the demise of Nanowrimo. There are plenty of alternatives around. My writing group is doing a little challenge, basically just 'finish something', which for us is easier said than done. Plus my wife is always up for a challenge so we decided to gamify it a bit more too.
My goal is to get the penultimate chapter of my fic done. I've got hardly any idea what will actually happen, about two hundred words, and I've not updated since March. So clearly it needs I need quite a kick up the backside.
I'm already doing most of this stuff most days. But November and the transition into winter is not good for me. What is good is shoring up my habits, feeling productive, getting creative, and having fun. The aim is to be creative, look after ourselves, and win points.
We get a point for:
- twenty-five minutes of creativity
- going for a walk
- doing exercises or stretches
- drinking plenty of water
Bonus points are also available:
- reaching milestones is two points each (outline, rough draft, better draft, edit)
- a week streak of each thing is two points
- double points on two designated Sundays
The wellbeing habit points are capped at one per day - we can't go on ten walks round the block and collect ten points. The creativity is uncapped. I'm aiming for two creative sessions per day, basically an hour, on average over the month. But I can do more, and get more points. The points are tracked on an A1 chart I drew where we record what we did each day.
I'm specifically using time rather than word count or milestones. Going from blank document to posted chapter involves different activities - it's not just about putting words down like Nanowrimo. Earlier days will be brainstorming and plotting, later days will be editing. Using a time measurement catches all that.
A standard day is 5 points: two creative sessions and the three habits. For a total of 140 points over the month. The two double days offer 20 points. Then there are 32 for the week streaks, and 8 milestone points. So even though I could potentially go higher I'm setting the 'full' points at 200.
That's basically perfection, however. So the real goal is 150 points. That is victory. It allows for lost streaks and fewer points generally. Then let's say a stretch goal of 175. We will have to be very on it. 200+ is overachievement.
What are we doing with these points? Not sure yet! My wife thinks they should be redeemed for something. I'm not fussed - I'm not that competitive and it drives my very competitive wife crazy. If I can get that chapter done, hype the writing group chat a bit, and maybe have a takeaway at the end of the month I will be more than happy.