NaNoWriMo's over: now what? How do you go about revising the 50,000+ words you spewed out in November? The first step is to just read your book all the way through. Don't be surprised to feel somewhat horrified at times. November's so much fun: it might be hard to believe that your crazy, wonderful month of writing could result in some really bad writing. Be prepared: Large portions will be unreadable. But there will be things you like, too. Note where there's energy and where the momentum flags. You'll see what passages you should expand and which to cut. Which sections show promise and which were just about getting in your words for the day.

Once you've done that preliminary editing -- and this could take a some time -- you'll be ready for more organized work. This checklist will help you identify and address basic problems regarding things like plot and characterization.

Once you've done what you can and you feel ready for feedback, contact people from your write-ins and see if they'd be up for starting a writing group. The monthly meetings will give you deadlines and offer another perspective on your work.

But these are just suggestions. Have you successfully edited a NaNo novel in the past? What was your experience like? How did you proceed?

Take a few moments out of the holiday madness to write -- with the December-January writing prompt challenge, which was inspired by the writing of Russell Edson. The instructions are to write a prose poem that begins with a fantastic or unbelievable statement. Examples from Edson's work include "A man had a son who was an anvil"; "This is the house of the closet-man. There are no rooms, just hallways and closets"; and "A father with a huge eraser erases his daughter."

One approach to the exercise is to write down a few outrageous comments, freewrite to one or two, and then revise the most interesting ones. You may also view examples submitted by other readers, many of whom shared their approach to the exercise. Submit the result here (after reading About.com's User Agreement).

Is anyone else feeling daunted by the weeks ahead? I had three holiday parties this weekend -- one of which I hosted -- a record for this homebody. I'm so full of latkes, cookies, and conversation that I can hardly think, much less write. Looking at the calendar this morning, I realized that I have to give my writing schedule serious thought if I'm to do any writing in the next few weeks. I could just give into it, but I really don't want to. This fall has already been so busy.

My first thought is to take my laptop with me when I travel this year. I'm not able to write creatively on planes so much, but I have a big project to revise. A nice long flight may be the perfect opportunity. And I'm going to *try* to get up earlier in the days before I leave, despite the dark mornings. If I can sit down even a few mornings this week, I'll feel better about my writing.

Most helpful of all, I got an email this morning from my writing partner asking if I could meet tomorrow evening. That'll put writing firmly on the front burner before the holiday stupor takes over completely. Hallelujah for writing community: It's so helpful to have people who remind me of my priorities.

How are you making time to write this holiday season? I love time efficiency tips -- even if I'm not always so great at following them. Tell us what how you're planning to keep writing over the next few weeks.

Earlier this fall, a writer going by rockerz5997 posted this question on the forum: "I'm trying to write a story in diary form, but I'm wondering if I should just switch it to first person because I'm worried about it being too difficult. Any tips?"

Lucy responded, "If I were you, I'd try writing it -- or some of it -- both ways and see how it goes. And more importantly, I guess, see how it reads. It might be easier to write in just normal first person, but it might also read better that way." Since no one else has offered advice, I thought I'd highlight the question here. Has anyone else written an epistolary novel, using diary entries? What were the problems with the form? What aspects worked well?