And they're off ...
I read an interview with the bestselling author Anita Shreve recently in the FT. She was asked 'What is the best piece of advice a parent gave you?' She answered: 'If I faced something that was seemingly impossible, my father always said 'You Can Do It'. Those words are ingrained in me.'
You can do it. I really hope if someone interviews our kids in 40 years that's the kind of advice they'll remember (rather than 'always put your pants in the laundry'). You can do it. As 1st November dawns and thousands of writers the world over are limbering up for NaNoWriMo what better advice can there be? I know nothing about sports psychology other than the need to psyche yourself up and focus 100% on your goal. Arthur Conley should have us all dancing to the keyboard like prizefighters. How on earth the audience weren't up on their feet in '66 I don't know.
TODAY'S PROMPT: Have you seen 'The Bucket List'? Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman - both terminally ill, and both determined to make the most of their last days on earth. They draw up a 'Bucket List' - things to do before you kick the bucket. What would be on yours? Number one for me is still to see my books published. Which is what prompted the impulsive decision to give NaNoWriMo a whirl. I've been so frustrated by the delays with book one, I've put off starting the next novel (cutting, nose, face?) How long is it going to take for book one to be submitted, let alone published? I'm hoping the best course is just to get on with the next book, get the words down and make it real. So what would be your number one? Why not sit down with your journal and figure out your own personal Bucket List - what's your top ten? If you knew you only had a limited time to make your dreams come true, what would you do? Curl up and go quietly, or seize the moment? To all embarking on NaNoWriMo, and to all you more sensible souls - You can do it.
You can do it. I really hope if someone interviews our kids in 40 years that's the kind of advice they'll remember (rather than 'always put your pants in the laundry'). You can do it. As 1st November dawns and thousands of writers the world over are limbering up for NaNoWriMo what better advice can there be? I know nothing about sports psychology other than the need to psyche yourself up and focus 100% on your goal. Arthur Conley should have us all dancing to the keyboard like prizefighters. How on earth the audience weren't up on their feet in '66 I don't know.
TODAY'S PROMPT: Have you seen 'The Bucket List'? Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman - both terminally ill, and both determined to make the most of their last days on earth. They draw up a 'Bucket List' - things to do before you kick the bucket. What would be on yours? Number one for me is still to see my books published. Which is what prompted the impulsive decision to give NaNoWriMo a whirl. I've been so frustrated by the delays with book one, I've put off starting the next novel (cutting, nose, face?) How long is it going to take for book one to be submitted, let alone published? I'm hoping the best course is just to get on with the next book, get the words down and make it real. So what would be your number one? Why not sit down with your journal and figure out your own personal Bucket List - what's your top ten? If you knew you only had a limited time to make your dreams come true, what would you do? Curl up and go quietly, or seize the moment? To all embarking on NaNoWriMo, and to all you more sensible souls - You can do it.
