Sue Grafton's NaNo pep talk letter

By now you know I'm working on a NaNo novel. We're on day twelve of writing the 30-day novel. The NaNo organizers, in their infinite wisdom, realize any writer's enthusiasm can flag during this wild and crazy month. So they've got wonderful pep talk letters written by some very talented, and well known, people that have been arriving in our mailboxes periodically. I love getting these letters. Even though I'm not feeling angst over the writing frenzy, I love reading these encouraging letters. They make me smile. :)

The latest is from Sue Grafton. I'm sure she won't mind my sharing a bit of it:

"...Literary quality is in the eye of the beholder and who's to say your novel won't be right up there among the greats? All you have to do is work. All you have to do is push. Focus on the job at hand. Ignore the urge to second-guess yourself. This is not the time for introspection; it's a time for charging on. Believe in yourself. Be determined to keep the promises you made when you first began. Your commitment to do th is will see you through, even over rough ground.

So. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and write. You said you would do this so nod your head and say, "I will do this. I will do this. I will do this." And then do this."

Sue Grafton

Writing a novel is a rush. These letters make the experience even more fun.