Last week on Facebook, a friend from Atlanta posted a picture of a Christmas display shining bright from his local drug store.  We do live in a sped-up society, don't we?

It may seem early, but October is the perfect time to think through how you want to feel when you welcome in 2012.  Rested?  More in-shape?  (That's my goal, as I have a birthday coming up December). 

Perhaps you want to make significant progress on your writing.  If so, read on for resources and ideas to help you do just that.

warmly,
Coach Marla

p.s. - Did you know that you can ask me questions or view my links and news for writers over on my Facebook fan page?  Take a moment to check it out and click "Like" right now, so you don't miss a thing! 

NEW! Two Days to Write™

Two days. 

A focused writing goal. 

Personal coaching and the opportunity to write and write and write…all in the comfort of your own home or office. 

Sound good?  Join me.

RESULTS

"In just a few sessions, Marla encouraged me to pursue my own writing projects in the midst of a very busy freelance business. I've seen tremendous benefits from her coaching!" 

- Kate Reilly, author, Walt Disney World Resort: Extreme Vacation Guide for Kids

Quick Tip: Should You NaNoWriMo?

Are you considering drafting a new novel in a month?  

November 1 marks the start of National Novel Writer's Month (NaNoWriMo), and many writers across the world  (over 200,000 writers in 2010) are beginning to clear their schedules and prepare to challenge their creativity and endurance.

NaNoWriMo offers many benefits to writers.  Community support, new writing friends, accountability, encouragement…and most of all, a very specific, time-limited writing goal.   It's much easier to stay committed to your writing when you know others are making the same choices to forego family fun for writing.

But participating in NaNoWriMo isn't the right writing structure for everyone. 

Read on for 3 reasons NaNoWriMo may NOT be right for you.

1.  Is This Your REAL Writing Goal Right Now?
A specific, time-limited goal is absolutely key to getting the most out of your writing intensive.  But what if "drafting a new novel in 30 days" isn't your goal, exactly?   Your life is short, my friend.   If you have a work-in-progress, would it make more sense to wrap up your work instead?  If you choose to participate in NaNoWriMo, ask yourself if a new, rough draft of a novel is what serves your writing career best.

2.  Set Up for Stress
NaNoWriMo was founded in 1999 by 20-something writer, Chris Baty. He and his friends wanted to get more writing done after they came home from work. When I coach older men and women--mothers, managers, executives, fathers--who've chosen to do NaNoWriMo and feel discouraged, frustrated and mad at themselves for not being able to complete the writing challenge,  I feel sad. If you have significant family or job ties, NaNoWriMo wasn't designed for you! If you find it too difficult trying to fit yourself into the artificial construct of NaNoWriMo, avoid the suffering and find another alternative that suits you better.

3.  Short-Term Imbalance, Long-Term Effects
As a life coach for writers, I'm trained to help you pay attention and honor your writing in the context of your whole  life.  The writers I've coached who have chosen to "NaNoWriMo" typically experience quite an imbalanced month in November--and of course, short-term balance is often necessary if we're to get deep work done! 

But the timing of NaNoWriMo pits these writers' relationships and homelife against their creative work.  And the NaNoWriMo-ers I've coached typically take weeks to recoup their verve and energy come December. In my opinion, a state of exhaustion is no way to start the season of gratitude, generosity and the promise of a new start in January! 

Before you commit to a month-long intensive, ask yourself if your diminished holiday season/beginning-of-the-new-year energy is a worthy trade-off. 

NaNo Alternatives

Participating in NaNoWriMo is a huge commitment of creativity, time and energy.  If you're going for the challenge, I applaud you!  But before you say "YES," please make sure this is the right time and writing structure for you.

NaNoWriMo offers structure, community and a fantastically clear goal.  But it's not the only way to get your writing done.  My Two Days to Write™ intensives offer accountability, goal-setting and support without the November commitment. Camp NaNoWriMo lets you take the novel-writing challenge during the summer. If this year's NaNo doesn't feel exactly right to you, listen to your feelings.  You owe it to yourself to check out other options.

And whatever your decision, keep a smile on your face and keep writing.  I have no doubt your writing will enrich your life.

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Want to use this article in your own blog or newsletter?  Please do!  Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:

Marla Beck coaches literary and freelance writers to build their careers, balance their lives and go for big writing goals.  Learn more and sign for for a f.r.e.e. subscription to her monthly ezine, The Relaxed Writer, at http://www.coachmarla.com.

Want more articles like this one?  Visit The Relaxed Writer blog at http://www.therelaxedwriter.com.