Staying Healthy vs. Writing under the Influence
Forget New Year's Resolutions. I've only made one I've stuck with, and that is Never make another silly New Year's Resolution. But I think November calls for one.
Write healthy.
I've never bought into the idea that drugs enhance creativity. I don't write wild and crazy stuff after having a drink or three, I crash. Same goes for too much sugar, too much caffeine, too much sodium nitrite, or too much food - period.
I've known people who smoked pot or got drunk, and they were mostly legends in their own minds, until the high wore off. Most of them didn't even have the good grace to be embarrassed, later; apparently, there's a reason why people forget what they did the night before. Sadly for them, the rest of us remember.
So while I'm not going to pass judgment on those who choose that path, it doesn't work for me. I strongly suspect it doesn't really work for anyone. And if I'm going to get through 50,000 words in thirty days – or even just finish writing this editorial - while working full time and caring for a family of five - I'm going to do it healthy. (Why, oh why, does NaNoWriMo coincide with the end of hurricane season and the beginning of flu season?) So here's my plan, and I hope you'll join me in making a healthy writing plan of your own:
Hydrate your brain. Here's a good starting place: "Water: Do Writers Need It?" by Milli Thornton ( http://www.fearofwriting.com/articles-about-writing.htm#WaterWriters). Clearly, I drink too much coffee and too little water. I don't drink much soda, because the sugar makes me sleepy and I can't stand the taste of artificial sweeteners, but you may want to consider substituting pure, fresh water for half the soda you drink each day. I'm going to go buy a big sports bottle of water and keep it at hand - filled up and chilled - throughout November.
Never skip breakfast. I learned this one from Weight Watchers. Paradoxically, if you want to lose weight, don't skip meals. Eat smaller, lighter meals and a couple of healthy, nutritious snacks in between. Skipping breakfast is a great way to train your body to store fat and a good way to screw up your sugar levels in the morning.
Take a good vitamin/mineral supplement. Sure, we should be getting all we need from the food we eat, but that's assuming we're all getting plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, and not loading up on fast food and pre-packaged convenience meals we can throw in the microwave after a long day at work.
Exercise. It's great for revving up the metabolism, getting trim, and staying in shape, but it's also terrific for releasing all those lovely endorphins that make us feel relaxed, de-stressed, and happy. Get out and go for a walk. Reconnect with your neighbors and the world around you. You don't have to buy an expensive membership to the gym; just walk and breathe deeply while clearing the mental cobwebs. It'll do you a world of good.
Sleep. Sleep-deprivation is a nasty, evil thing. (Oh, I know, some writers swear by it. Claim it gives them visions. Claim their characters only talk to them when they've had two hours' sleep in the last forty-eight. I'll bet.) Sleep deprivation slows our reaction time and makes most of us miserable and cranky. I don't write well when I'm miserable and cranky. I write miserable and cranky prose; I might even churn out a morbid sonnet. But it's not good and I'm not happy or fun to be with when I'm doing that. Eight hours is an unreasonable goal during NaNoWriMo, but I'm going to aim for at least six or seven contiguous hours starting at approximately the same time every night. Did you know that teenagers actually need more sleep than children or adults? It's hard, juggling schoolwork, family obligations, a social life, and writing – but don't sacrifice your sleep or your health.
Any more suggestions? Keep 'em simple (it's hard enough turning over a new leaf - I don't have time for complicated regimens right now) and share them in your comments.
Understanding the Business Side of Writing
Do your writing goals and dreams spill off the pages of your journal and into the wild, blue yonder of becoming a published author? If so, it's never too early to start thinking of and treating yourself as a professional writer and behaving accordingly. A few quick tips:
Write daily. Before you get all caught up in debates like "Do I need an agent?" and "How much should I pay an agent?" or "Is there still a stigma to self-publishing?" and "What's a good royalty percentage?" or "Should I ask for a higher advance?" you have to have a product to sell. It sounds simple enough, but agonizing over the post-writing process of publication too often turns into a method of procrastination – and the writing never really gets done. Ironically, even those of us who claim we love to write often have trouble applying butt to chair and writing. It takes discipline to turn writing into a habit. That said, if it feels too much like a chore, you might want to rethink your goals. Maybe take up photography or gardening. I've given that serious thought since starting NaNoWriMo; however, I finally came to the conclusion that I have to sell a lot of my writing before I can afford that professional-quality camera I really want.
Read submission guidelines from publishers that buy the kind of stories and books you like to write. Don't waste your postage and a publisher's time by sending them material they're not buying. An up-to-date copy of or subscription to Writer's Market ( http://www.writersmarket.com) is a valuable tool. (HINT: Take yourself seriously, but not too seriously. If all this sounds horribly stuffy, and you really care more about having fun than making a ton of money, seek out a publication like…this: http://www.eyeshot.net/submit.htm. Look for something that's a good fit.)
Do not attempt to draw attention to your manuscript by using colored paper or colored ink. Do not use specialty typefaces. Do not put each page of the manuscript in sheet protectors. Do not try to write a "memorable" submission letter. Don't be cute. Although your manuscript may be funny, its surroundings should not. Gifts for the editor, tie-dyed envelopes, and the like mark your submission as unprofessional.
(from "FAQ for Beginning Writers," http://www.sfwa.org/writing/faqs.htm)
Do you begin to see why selling your writing is not as hard as winning the lottery, despite the daunting number of unsolicited manuscripts most publishers claim to reject? People send the most outrageous things to publishers, hoping to be noticed. The best way to attract the kind of notice you want is to act like a pro, and respect the editor's time.
Pay particular attention to the instructions regarding font choice, line spacing, and layout. That said, a publisher's submission guidelines may differ slightly, and should be carefully followed, regardless of the generic information given here.
Proofread and edit before submitting anything. This should go without saying, too. But I've heard writers say, "That's what editors are for. If they want to publish my work, they'll edit it for me." Can you hear me laughing? Sloppy presentation guarantees that your scintillating ideas will never be read. Read " Invalid Item"  to get an idea of what a publishing house's editorial process looks like, and understand that all of that comes after the author has submitted the best work he or she is capable of submitting.
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For Authors: November 09, 2005 Issue [#709]
