Why Not Now?

“Why not now?”  That’s the last sentence in a marketing proposal I just wrote for the local Friends of the Library.

For them, getting the community involved takes more than forming a group and waiting for supporters to show up.

For writers, getting a novel written, or a magazine article, or a memoir, takes more than wishing and talking about it.

And here we are with only one month to wait before National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).  What luck!  That leaves us just enough time to think about what we want to do, plan it, and set our feet in the starting blocks.

You’ve been telling me for years that you want to get that story that’s been tickling your brain every day and night on paper.  That you need to finish the manuscript that’s been gathering dust on your desk for years.  Here’s your chance.

If you want to be a writer, I dare you to leap at the chance to write your brains out for thirty days.  You’ll find out how easy or hard writing is for you.  At the end of that time, you’ll know your weaknesses and strengths.  And you’ll have something to work on—firming up those soft spots, and sharpening words that already reflect the light of brilliance.

I’ve heard you talking about writing for a long time.  And I’ve heard all the excuses for why you just can’t get started.  Why you can’t get organized enough to write your first page.

This is your shining moment.  No more excuses.  No more waiting for the perfect moment.  Go straight to NaNoWriMo and get your account set up.

Do not pass “Procrastinate.”  Do not slow down for “What if I really can’t write?”

If not now, when?  Why not now?