I shouldn’t be writing blog posts today, because I have foolishly signed up for NaNoWriMo again, and I haven’t finished today’s word count. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is a crazy bunch of people all over the world who endeavor to write a novel in a month. I can hear you, (Cheryl and others…) Where’s that novel you finished last year, Weems? *cough, cough* It’s here in Okinawa on vacation or in revision. Either way, there’s no work getting done on THAT right now. Please make an appointment with my secretary for December to discuss.
I’m stalling already on day 3 (clearly going to be a great month), so I looked up my Notes of Despair from last year. Here are a few excerpts to push me forward again:
~Write. Write. Write. The only way to get to 50,000 words is to WRITE.
~The backspace key IS your enemy.
~Don’t plan any other life changes this month—forget losing weight, cooking your first twelve course thanksgiving meal, joining a book club, or any other commitment.
~Don’t listen to anyone who says the word “revision” or “edit.”
~Channel Anne Lamott: Write sh*tty drafts. You can revise once it’s down. JUST GET IT DOWN.
~Only reread when absolutely necessary.
~If you get bogged down or feel blocked, ask yourself, what would make this situation WORSE? Then write it.
~My inner critic tends to say “Really? You can do better—stronger verbs, deeper conflict, more poetic language, make it sing, Weems!” Shove him in the freezer and remind him to chill—it isn’t his turn to speak yet.
~Write like your hair is on fire and completing your word count is the surest way to water.
~Ignore despair, guilt, laundry and anything else that threatens to distract you. (Make small exceptions for people with whom you live with the understanding that dinner may come from a bowl until Thanksgiving.)
I share this with my few friends who are writing like their hair is on fire this month. It occurred to me that most people I know aren’t trying to write a novel this month, but some of this advice would work for any goal you are trying to meet, especially ignoring the inner critic. So often we sabotage ourselves with negative self-talk without even giving ourselves a chance. You can do so much more than you know!
You CAN do it.
Now, back to work.
3,650/50,000