You've come so far
We are 22 days into the Southern Cross Novel Challenge as well as Half Novel Challenge.
Fingers tired yet? I know mine are, and at this point I do know my limits.
Today would be a great time to take a break from writing, get some fresh air, take off and see some friends.
It is so easy to get sucked into the single worry about getting those words on paper.
I have over the years ( 4 years of NaNO and what 3 years of SoCNoC) seen people just burn out from the pressure around day 20-24.
Please do not give up, taking a day off is NOT a sign of giving up. If anything it is proof that you care about your mental health.
If you must work on your novel, then how about you read parts of it to a trusted friend (maybe meet up with another SoCNoCer).
Having someone else's view on your characters, or scene or asking them "what happens next" can really open your eyes and creative spirit.
For those lone wolves, yes I do know some people do not have the honor of having another writer or trusted friend in their lives. Please think about reading your novel aloud to yourself. A great suggestion was given to me by a fellow writer, buy a cheap cassette recorder (thrift stores or goodwill could have them) and record yourself reading your novel. Then listen to it again several hours later, take yourself for a walk (outside, remember where the door is?) and listen to it.
Some MP3 players also have a recorder on them too. Take a note pad and pen and write down what ideas come to mind. DO not erase the recording, this can be a great tool for editing later, just add to it.
You have done so much, 22 days is a long time to be doing a project, no matter what your word count, you've achieved more then someone that did not even try.
Writing is a skill, it takes practice. 22 days is not a bad length of time to be practising your skill.
With only so many days left of the month, panic can set in. Ignore it! You keep on practising your skill.
The only way to loose SoCNoC is to give up, or not even start.
I will keep this short so you can go and enjoy your day doing everything BUT writing. Now that will be the hardest challenge of all.
Mental health is one of the reasons why I've mainly done my SoCNoC writing at night, so my brain doesn't break down and drip out of my ears and nose.
My post SoCNoC plan was to leave my story for a month. Then print it off, read it over; using highlighters to tell me what needs changing (orange for grammer, yellow for synonyms, pink to erase, ect) and scribbling in the margins for changes to make. The idea is so I have a guide when I go to edit the document. But the voice recorder sounds like a really good idea.