Encouragement From The Front Lines: Week One

This is something I wrote to all of my buddies (specifically the ones I am mentoring for NaNoWriMo). I decided to post it so you guys didn't think that I had dropped of the earth.


Alright my writing buddies we are in the midst of week one! Good for us. This week will breeze by and you'll be blinking in horror as week two rears its ugly head in no time. But don't fret I'm about to send you encouragement from the front lines! *trumpet fanfare*

First off I suggest you all find a form of encouragement. Mine just happens to come in liquid form. Chai tea, with milk, whip cream, and cinnamon, compliments of my college's cafe. Keep you encouragement with you at all times! Scary things happen when you run out or it goes missing. Scary. Things.

Secondly if you inner editor hasn't already been dismissed I suggest you do so right now. Even scarier things happen when you leave your inner editor intact. Like second guessing your plot. And rereading your document for errors. Don't reread until you reach 50,000 words. It's shameful!

Thirdly do not take this seriously. Ever. I mean come on you have to be loony to even consider attempting this, let alone actually do this. Is this the worst thing you have ever written? Maybe. But that doesn't matter. Because we are so much cooler than those idiots who think we are crazy. Repeat with me now. "We are loonies! And we are proud!"

Fourthly you must SAVE YOUR DOCUMENT! Back it up on a flash drive, a cd, a floppy! Just do it! Whatever you do, don't save it to your computers hard drive. That is just asking for failure. If you don't have a flash drive just hit up your local store (may I suggest Wal*Mart, Meijer, or Staples?) and buy some cheap-o 1-2 GB flash drive. You will not regret this. Trust me.

Fifthly (it is fifthly, right?) when you don't know something, can't remember the word, or will definitely want to change it later you should either italicize, bold, or caps lock it.

Sixthly (right?) keep a notebook with you at all times. Just today at lunch I flushed out about two pages. A notebook is also handy for all those quirky ideas that pop up. Oh and people watching! You never know who you will meet. Someone might actually become inspiration for a character, you never know.

Okay, that is all I can think of now. I'll send another one out next week. Remember to keep in touch. Good luck everybody. You can do it! Huzzah!

Spork On