A bit of encouragement - Insecure Writer's Support Group

Since many of you are taking part in NaNoWriMo this year, I figured I'd offer up some encouragement this month to those who may be feeling the insecurities of writing already.

I applaud you all for taking the plunge and the monumental effort of writing a 50,000 word novel in just 30 days. I don't care who you are, that is lightning (bonus points to whoever knows where that line is from).

This week I had a conversation about how artists sometimes get an invisible 'over the shoulder critic' that silently judges everything they do and makes them insecure. I think as writers we have the internal editor that takes every word as we write it and screams "Make it better!" This is the mentality you need to step out of if you are to compete in and complete NaNoWriMo. I know how difficult it can be to silence our internal editors, but quantity is infinitely better than quality in this case.

NaNoWriMo isn't about creating your magnum opus in one fell swoop. It doesn't matter if you write a 50,000 word shopping list; if you hit the word count, you win. You can go back later (read: a few months after recovering from the craziness you've just endured) to edit and let your inner critic roam free all over your work. For now, get those words down, and forget the plot holes, inconsistencies and general tomfoolery that accompanies a very rough pre-first draft.

Your protagonist has inexplicably undergone a sex change half-way through the story? Keep it.
The name of the town your characters are in keeps changing? Don't change it.
The plot suddenly takes a heave and has everyone looking for an evil chicken? (for shame, Goodkind). Crop it after NaNo.

One of the most common pieces of advice given to aspiring writers is "keep writing!". It's never more true than during NaNo. Don't you dare hit that backspace key.

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In other news, I'm taking part in Movember, an annual charity event that raises money in aid of fighting prostate cancer. I've shaved off my beard (after a decade of growth and care) and I'm growing a moustache for the duration of November. For those who are so inclines, please donate whatever you can and help me out. It's much appreciated! You can offer donations and support at my MoBro page: http://mobro.co/jamiegibbs. I'll also be posting a daily update of my moustache progress on my sidebar - you can click the picture to get to the page too.