The Secret to NaNoWriMo

There's a simple secret to NaNoWriMo--or any writing practice--and here it is: Write On!

Boss bullying? Write On!
Spouse sniping? Write On!
Kids fighting? Write On!
Rain pouring? Write On!

Mind balking? Write On!
Body aching? Write On!
Soul suffering? Write On!

Real writers write--and real NaNoWriMo writers write during NaNoWriMo!
For we writers are warriors, and NaNoWriMo writers are warriors in a hurry.

If you need some inspiration, turn (arguably) to the most stirring speech ever written by a fellow writer. Here's my favorite part of Shakespeare's famous St. Crispin's Day speech:

This day is call’d the feast of Crispian.

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d,

And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall live this day, and see old age,

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,

And say “To-morrow is Saint Crispian.”

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,

And say “These wounds I had on Crispin's day.”

Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,

But he’ll remember, with advantages,

What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,

Familiar in his mouth as household words—

Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,

Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester—

Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red.

This story shall the good man teach his son;

And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remembered-

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition;

And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

Write On, band of brothers, Write On!

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Top Ten Writings to Give Thanks For

"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new."

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Thanksgiving! In the spirit of the season, I'd like to give thanks to books, my friends old and new. Here are the top ten writings for which I'd like to give thanks for. What are yours?

1. One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, by Dr. Seuss

The first book I could read all by myself. I can still quote most of it verbatim.

2. The Naked Ape, by Desmond Morris

Especially Chapter Two, which taught my 12-year-old self all I needed to know (at the time) about sex. It was a big hit at all the slumber parties.

3. Self-Reliance, by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sister Esther introduced this essay to me when I was a sophomore in high school, and I fell in love with Emerson and the idea of nonconformity: "Whoso would be a man would be a nonconformist.". For an Army brat, this was a revelation--and a revolution.

4. All the President's Men, Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein

The news story that informed my adolescence--and the reason I was proud to be a reporter, back in the day.

5. Eye of the Needle, by Ken Follett

This taut novel marked the beginning of my lifelong fascination with spy stories.

5. Heartburn, by Nora Ephron

Which proved to me that my grandfather was right when he said, "It doesn't matter what happens to you as long as it makes a good story later." 

6. A Midsummer's Night Dream, by William Shakespeare

My introduction to the Bard, the writer who keeps on giving.

7. Two Happy Lovers Make One Bread, by Pablo Neruda

My favorite poem among many. I read poetry like some people read the obituaries--because it makes me feel alive.

8. Angels in America, by Tony Kushner

Because it's brilliant, and reminds me what art is supposed to do.

9. Emma, by Jane Austen

The Jane Austen novel I've read the most times--with the possible exception of Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility or, well, you get the idea. Between Shakespeare and Austen, you can learn all you need to know about writing great characters.

10. Anything by Anne Lamott

Who reminds me that the best writers are as hard on themselves as they are on their subjects. And that humility--however hard-won--can be very, very funny.

Of course, there are countless works and writers to be thankful for--too many for this blog or a million blogs. But if you had to choose: What are your top ten?