How many of you are giving National Novel Writing Month (better known as NaNoWriMo) a try this month? How many of you expect to hit the 50,000-word goal? And… how many of you think the entire process is ridiculous because how could you ever write that many words in a month?
I am not here to argue the pros and cons of participating in NaNoWriMo. Rather, I want to discuss how you think about big, over-the-top challenges that seem at first glance like they might be impossible to master. Writing a novel, whether it’s your first or your fifteenth, just serves as one example.
I’ve become hyperaware in the last few months of the way so many people just blurt out the things they can’t do, in this self-deprecating tone, as if by joking about it they can keep their audience from realizing they mean it. Writers and other publishing people tell me they were English majors as an explanation for why they insist they “can’t” do math. The anticipated demise of Twitter has users moaning they don’t understand Mastodon—one of the alternative social media hubs—as if Twitter posed no learning curve when they joined a decade ago. And wannabe writers claim they could never finish a novel or write every day or complete NaNo.
There is a bunch of psychology around our brain and its tendency to self-protect by discouraging us from attempting things it interprets as risky. But I’m not a psychologist, so I will focus on what I know.
Our society puts a huge emphasis on achievement and success, linking the two things into some weird fused pretzel, with an emphasis on the commercial and financial. The past few years, with the pandemic and its accompanying economic issues, have only caused this to escalate. Lockdown forced so many people to scramble for other sources of income, and a rising tendency to monetize any and all interests seems to have increased tenfold. We do everything in public, for money.
But this makes it hard to fail. We’re not a culture that takes failure lightly on a good day, never mind that failure is the natural and necessary precursor to any sort of achievement. I think it also discourages people from trying things just for the hell of it. To experiment. For fun. Because they’re interested.
Why do you have to be good at something to enjoy it? And also, why do you assume because you’re not good at it to begin with, you never will be?
For many of us, I think a negative mindset comes and goes. It’s not something we live in from day to day, nor is it something we conquer once and never face again. It ebbs and flows with our circumstances. But some aspects can become a habit. Like that insistence you’re not a numbers person. Or telling yourself you’ll write that book “one day.” We say no to things by rote instead of considering in that moment whether it’s something we truly want.
The end of the year is coming up quickly, filled with all the holiday bustle and commitments. But at some point most of you will sit down and take a moment to consider what you want for 2023—call it setting goals or making resolutions, whatever. So here’s my challenge for you:
What one thing do you keep shying away from? What’s the thing you put off, or wonder about then set aside? What wish do you have for yourself? A new job or hobby or skill or adventure? Maybe it’s on that new year’s list every single year. Maybe you never put it on because it’s too close to your heart.
Do it. Do that thing this coming year. Stop telling yourself why you can’t, and tell yourself why you can. Write the book. Take the trip. Start the business. Reach for it. Start. You can.
In keeping with this theme, I’ll be issuing my annual December Writing Challenge over on my blog starting at the end of the month and running until December 31st. Details will go up over there in just over a week for anyone looking for a little writing push during the holiday season. I’ll send out a quick reminder here closer to the date, as I know Twitter may not be the best place for notifications at this point in time.
And on that social media-esque note, as many of you are aware, Twitter may or may not survive in coming weeks. Many users have already left the platform, and now the security and longevity of the infrastructure itself is in question. Regardless, you can always find me in many other places on the web. Here at this newsletter, obviously, but also:
My website, which I am planning to pay a bit more attention to going forward.
I’m also in the process of putting together a course for people who struggle with synopsis writing, which should be available soon. And I might possibly have another surprise coming down the pike.
If you’re enjoying the newsletter, please consider subscribing, or share it with a friend.
On submissions: I am in the process of reading a heavy load of manuscripts as well as some conference submissions, all on top of regular client projects, so it’s a safe bet that I won’t be reopening to general submissions until the new year.
A few more links to share:
National Book Awards Ceremony - Did you get a chance to watch? If not, the livestream got saved, so you can check it out.
Jami Attenberg: ‘Rejection gave me a fresh start, a new year.’ - A great example of why you should follow your gut and not allow naysayers to throw you off your path.
Seven Speculative Stories about the Power of Stories - Alix E. Harrow on stories that embrace their own art and also look at its potential.
Alexander Chee on the Perpetual Importance of the Essay - Chee talks about his experience as editor of the most recent edition of Best American Essays and why the form remains vital.
50 Notable Works of Fiction - The Washington Post offers up a great compilation from this year. Perfect for gift-giving ideas.
Elizabeth Hardwick’s Master Class on Literature and Life - A look back by one of Hardwick’s former students.
Currently in my tea cup:
Toast & Jam Yorkshire Tea
Currently on my nightstand:
The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal
That’s all for now. Thank you so much for reading. Feel free to drop a comment or thought as I love to chat with you all and hear what you’re up to. Until next time.🥰
Dear Nephele: Always an inspiration. And as a long time retailer of Yorkshire Gold tea I am shocked and pleased to see a new flavor! Can't wait to find it! Keep plowing through your pile, we are all waiting for you to open up again. Cheers, Jacqueline Gillam Fairchild
thanks, I was an importer so I will call my people. j