NaNoWriMo is at the end of the third week, giving one final full week to reach the 50,000 word mark. As of today, you are now able to validate your word count to see if you if you have hit the goal. The exciting part about finishing NaNoWriMo is deciding what to do next, after spending hours each day working on your manuscript you suddenly find yourself with a ton of spare time on your hands.

First Take a Break and Make Notes Where You Left Off

You have earned it. Give yourself a break from the constant writing and let your brain destress from the pressure of reaching a word count goal every day. Before you do that though, leave comments about where you left off and where you were heading so you know what to do when you come back to write.

Explore Different Activities

An important part of writing that can easily be overlooked is remembering to take time away from the actual writing. Doing something different will provide new perspectives that you may have not previously had. Why not do some physical activities (exercising/sports) or pick up another art form like a musical instrument?

Talk to People Again

Start socializing! After all, writing tends to be a very isolated experience and interacting with people (friends, family or meeting new people) doesn’t happen as often as it does with other artistic avenues. We get wrapped up in the writing that it is easy to forget there is a world beyond the page. Go outside and talk to people, you’ll have lots to share about writing and you can learn new things from those around you. Who knows, it might inspire ideas for your next story.

Return to Your Manuscript

Now these are all ideas to get away from writing, just don’t stray too far away from it! Stepping away from writing can make it difficult to pick it up again. Give yourself a break but be sure to return once you have given your mind a chance to freshen up so you can approach it with a new viewpoint. Pick up where you left off to revise the plot and finish the story.
Remember to always plan ahead with writing, taking a break doesn’t mean you’re done. Pick a date to return to writing, think of it as a vacation.
The Greek Philosopher Aristotle Once Said:

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Image from Wikipedia

 
For my own direction, now that I have finished NaNoWriMo, I will be putting The Unfortunate Tale of #YEGman away so I can return to the editing Seed Me for its release next year.