Are you doing NaNo?  (National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo.)  This year, I got off to a slow start because a) we’ve moved, b) I started a new job, c) I had a house guest the first weekend, and d) my dad’s in town this week.  Never a dull moment in Noonyland.  But here’s what I’ve learned:

1. It’s like weight loss – so what, you had cake yesterday?  Right NOW, you’re not eating cake and you can have a salad.
2. Write.  Write about why you’re not writing, don’t feel like writing, are too tired to write.  Whatever you’re feeling, put it on the page.
3. All words count during NaNo.
4. Keep writing.  Your story doesn’t suck; that’s just the inner critic talking.  Keep going.
5. If your story sucks, keep writing it.  How many people do you know who have completed a novel-length manuscript, even a bad one?  Give yourself permission to be a beginner and just write the damned book.
6. Write.  And when doubt strikes, write more.
7. Coffee helps.