November is a time for good food, embracing body hair, and the start of the holiday season. Starbucks comes out with their holiday drinks just in time for me to drown my writing woes in Caramel Brûlée. Nanowrimo is here. The time of year when I question if this was the correct career choice because I cannot write 2,000 words in an hour. I know you are supposed to write for yourself, not for others.

The point is to take time to work on your novel. People have different journeys. It is four single-spaced pages a day or eight double-spaced pages. My main goal is to get myself into the habit of daily writing. I only wrote 82 words yesterday, so I’m going to try for 3,000 words today. Nanowrimo is a fun goal, but if you don’t win, it’s okay. Your story deserves to exist, and you can always edit it next month. This manuscript does not have to go out to an agent on the first of December. Enjoy getting to write your story. 

You don’t need to worry about the publishing process until after you have a manuscript done. Write with friends or join a group. Writing sprints are helpful because you are all writing for a short time. Self-doubt doesn’t creep in when you only have 15 minutes to write. 

A story that stays in your mind cannot change the world. Every book isn’t a best seller. You may not make any money off of your first book or maybe even your second. It isn’t even possible if you don’t put your story out there. 

Self-doubt is creativity’s arch-nemesis. You can get so caught up in thoughts about “What if no one likes this?” You never know who will see your work and be influenced by it. Favorite books aren’t always best sellers. Keep going for your story, yourself, and anyone who might enjoy your work.