Dear Me

Dear Me,

Maybe you haven't heard the voice inside your head nagging you. Maybe it's just selective listening. Still, there has to be some way to get to you, so a letter will have to do. With a letter, you are forced to sit down (okay, you might be standing while reading this, or even laying down for that matter) and read the words in front of your face.

You and I go a long ways back, so I know how you work. You're a procrastinator, I know, but we'll work on that another time. For now, you have to work on something that we both know you've worked too hard on to just give up on it now. What is that, you ask? Are you kidding me?

Back in 2004, you attempted that NaNoWriMo thing. Yes, the really cool fantasy one that took up much of your time and effort that November. Even though you never reached the goal of fifty thousand words in a month, you decided that you would still finish it. The years that follow you devoted even more time and dedicated yourself to that piece of writing. You saw the potential in the novel you had created, and set high aspirations for yourself. Well, not over the top aspirations. There is no use in setting goals that you know you can't achieve, right?

But look, Mark. It's four years later, buddy, and you have yet to finish the darn thing. And you still haven't hit the fifty thousand words that others have done in a month. But okay, we shouldn't compare yourself to other people. That will only keep you in a rut. You still have that great novel in limbo, just waiting to be finished. Can you hear it calling out to you? "Mark! Mark!" it's saying. Go ahead, open that file and you'll see the words "Finish Me" all over it like a manuscript out of Wonderland.

Okay, so here's what you should do: if you can write so many words this month, let's make a nice round, reachable number...let's say a thousand. Write a thousand words each month for the rest of this year, that will give you well over the fifty thousand. Take a look at the math. That's only about thirty words a day--not hard at all! Considering you write more words in your blog each day (when you actually do, but that's another story), that should come easily to you.

And no need to limit yourself either! If your monthly word count goes into the two thousands, write on! There is nothing stopping you from finishing Rugo's Quest this year. And don't bog yourself down worrying about getting it ready to be published. We'll work on that part later. For now, get your butt writing! You can't call yourself a writer if you don't actually do it, now can you?

We both know you can do it, Mark. Just keep each goal attainable, and you will achieve each one with ease.

Sincerely,
Yourself

P.S. Be sure to write back to me once in a while and keep me up to date on how you are doing! I'd like to see your progress, and how well you keep yourself in line. You know where to reach me.

P.P.S. On second thought, that daily word count goal might seem a little low. Try for something a little more challenging...let's say a hundred words. I dare you!!