Nano Writer Challenge! Motivational Words!

[ladyseishou]

Don't get it right, just get it written.

- James Thurber



What words of wisdom keep you going when you just want to give up, Nano Writer? What special quote keeps you motivated, on target and coming back for more?

We’re going to put together a series of special posts for November -
Please share with us your favorite quotes or words of wisdom to head Nano Writers' daily posts for November. These posts will also provide a reminder for the day's word count as well as a shout out for members to post their personal word count for the day as we write our way to the finish line on November 30th!

My favorite is the advice offered by James Thurber. I have it written on a yellow Post-It hanging at eye level on my monitor.

What’s yours?

Comments

[elleth]

Why write?

The best thing about writing fiction is that moment where the story catches fire and comes to life on the page, and suddenly it all makes sense and you know what it's about and why you're doing it and what these people are saying and doing, and you get to feel like both the creator and the audience. Everything is suddenly both obvious and surprising ("but of course that's why he was doing that, and that means that...") and it's magic and wonderful and strange.

You don't live there always when you write. Mostly it's a long hard walk. Sometimes it's a trudge through fog and you're scared you've lost your way and can't remember why you set out in the first place.

But sometimes you fly, and that pays for everything.

- Neil Gaiman

[ladyseishou]

This is a wonderful quote! Thank you!

[mbeancntr]

I have four quotes to share.

Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else. ~ Gloria Steinem

I do not like to write - I like to have written. ~ Gloria Steinem

Sleep on your writing; take a walk over it; scrutinize it of a morning; review it of an afternoon; digest it after a meal; let it sleep in your drawer a twelvemonth; never venture a whisper about it to your friend, if he be an author especially. ~ A. Bronson Alcott

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. ~ E.L. Doctorow

The first one is my all time favorite, but I like the other ones too.

Enjoy!

[ladyseishou]

I really like these - especially the first! Thanks very much!

[shiny_crystal]

My favourite writing quote will always be the one by William Somerset Maugham:

There are three rules to writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.

[ladyseishou]

So true but we keep trying! Thanks!

[falkner]

A funny quote that always makes me smile when thinking of NaNoWriMo is one by an unknow author: Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.

[ladyseishou]

Funny! Thanks!

[angryoldhag]

I don't know how suitable these are, but my Reading the Victorians teacher put the following on a handout. They're both by Anthony Trollope (the man was a novelling machine back in his days) Anyway, here goes:

"When I have commenced a new book, I have always prepared a diary, divided into weeks, and carried on for the period which I have allowed myself for the completion of the work. In this I have entered, day to day, the number of pages I have written so that if at any time I have slipped into idleness for a day or two, the record of that idleness has been there, staring me in the face, and demanding of me increased labour, so that the deficiency might be supplied."

And

"There are those who would be ashamed to subject themselves to such a taskmaster, and think that the man who works with his imagination should allow himself to wait till inspiration moves him. When I have heard such doctrine preached, I have hardly been able to repress my scorn. To me it would not be more absurd if the shoemaker were to wait for inspiration, or the tallow-chandler for the divine moment of melting."

From: Anthony Trollop. Autobiography. London, 1883.

Both reminded me of NaNoWriMo. The first because we're not going with page numbers but word counts, yet still have to keep track of whether we're on schedule and the second because, well, we can't wait for inspiration. We write and it comes. Yet people seem to think it strange to set a goal and a deadline on a creative venture.

[ladyseishou]

Both quotes are great! May I quote your response to each in the daily post?

[angryoldhag]

Sure, no problem.