Fortune Cookie Inspiration

When I cleaned up my desk the other day I came across three fortunes I saved from wonderful Chinese food dinners. Here on this mid-way point in National Novel Writing Month, I thought the messages might inspire you along with me.

Writing is thinking on paper. 
I was surprised to get a fortune cookie that actually mentioned writing. While it's not incredibly profound, it reminds me that to be a writer, I have to write. Even if my plot and characters aren't perfect yet, the process of getting my ideas down will help to refine them. The first draft will always be imperfect. Once it's on paper, it's easier to envision what could change to make it better.

Failure is feedback. And feedback is the breakfast of champions.

For me, this makes me think of critique groups. No, it's not fun to hear what's wrong with my writing, but without feedback, I'll never reach my goals. So I keep working on developing my rhino skin so the comments will feel constructive instead of critical. In order to be a champion writer, I have to accept the feedback that will strengthen my writing muscles.

It's kind of fun to do the impossible.

 For most people in the world, the idea of writing a book sounds impossible. Writing one in a month sounds fantastical. Even if you don't 'finish' this month, you're tackling a project that not many will endeavor to take on. So keep at it. Today I'm taking some time away from NaNoWriMo to enter a contest. It has challenged me to plot and plan out an entire new novel. The bonus is that when my current novel is finally finished, I'll have a new one ready to jump into.

What has encouraged you to keep going this month?

15 comments:

  1. I love fortune cookie inspirations too! I keep my favorites in a small tin by my computer. Here's one that speaks to Nanowimo this month - fortune sides with him who dares. All the best :-)

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  2. Thanks Nancy. Love that one! Being a writer is all about daring.

    I have two vintage windows hanging in my writing room, and I attach things like this behind the glass. Love your tin idea, too!

    ~Debbie

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  3. Good luck to you and yeah for even trying! Do the impossible!!! :O)

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  4. I'm doing the picture book idea challenge, so for me it's been about getting in the habit of writing it down. Now that it's the midpoint, I hope to go through my ideas and draft out a manuscript. Then, I plan to participate in a 12 x 12 challenge in 2012 to write a PB manuscript. Good luck with your contest and the novel.

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  5. The main thing that's encouraged me to keep going is my own stubborn pride and its inability to let me give in. hehe

    Love those fortunes! The one time I remember getting a fortune, it was a crap one that made no sense for me. LOL.

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  6. @Diane-Thanks for rooting for me!

    @Stacy-Thank you, and I'll be watching your progress next year!

    @Trisha-You've got more guts than me. I end up stalling all the time.

    ~Debbie

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  7. Great inspiration! Thanks for sharing these and best of luck with NaNo!

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  8. Thanks, Jess. And I loved your post on first vs. third person. Thought-provoking!

    ~Debbie

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  9. Debbie, I didn't realize that you were writing a book in a month! Yikes! That is AMAZING!!
    I've been poking along with my novel...lazy river style. This puts me to shame. I need to step it up a bit. If I opened a fortune cookie it would probably say, "put those potato chips down and get to work!"
    LOL!!
    Yup;)

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  10. Don't hold me in too high esteem, Leah! My month is not as productive as I'd like. I did get a contest entry (4K + synopsis) polished and sent, and I've added quite a few words on my other book. However, I'm not sure I'll make the whole 50K this month. But I will have added quite a bit!

    ~Debbie

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