SoCNoC 2011 not so far away.

The Southern Cross Novel Challenge is next month.. ok, breath slowly and tamp down the rising panic.
Still plenty of time to work out plot, characters, motivation and pack the freezer with dinners.

If you have not signed up for the SoCNoC Preparation challenge, do so. It is one of the best ways to get your big girl or boy writing pants on (or skirt or kilt)

It covers all areas you need to contemplate before starting the challenge on June 1st.  Even if you do not sign up for the challenge, look at it, maybe 1 or 2 of them
will help kick start or kick you in the pants (that you put on eariler). 14 different mini challenges listed that you can choose from.

Remember that there are many resources listed on our site that will take you to other places which can help new writers prepare, be inspired or have a generated :plot-character- words or names.

I will also take the time to remind people to BACK UP their work. Now is the best time to work out your plan of back up.  I also strongly suggest you keep an online or
USB thumbdrive copy so if one or the other is stolen you do not loose them. You can also use the tried and true method of "emailing to myself" backups.

Writing programs, test them out NOW! Waiting until SoCNoC starts to use a new program will eat up valuable time. So take a look now, decide on what you will use and test drive it with the prep challenges.

Check your calander, do you have any appointments? If so you might wish to set up a reminder system. It is very easy to forget things during the month, loose track of time
or get stressed out.  Your health is important so make sure you keep any appointments you've already made. Just take a note book to write while waiting.

Food, eating is an issue for most Kiwiwriters during this month, either you will eat more or less then normal. Make sure to eat healthy meals and try to take time outs
to eat, remember you have friends/family and not get sick. If you are clever with cooking, making large amounts and dividing them up into single meals would be a great
way to go.

What have we left to cover, hrmm exercise. Recent studies have shown that exercise improves brain activity and creativity. So talk a walk outside, go for a swim and get those
muscles moving for thirty minutes. It could help you get over any writing blocks you may come across.