1. Set aside unbroken blocks of time to chain yourself to your computer.

Physical Therapist: Okay, how’s the sciatica?
Me: Horrible. I’m having a real setback.
Physical Therapist: I thought we were making progress! What are you doing differently?
Me: Nanowrimo.

2. Get your loved ones’ support.

Spouse: Let’s go to Home Depot in twenty minutes.
Me: [stunned]
Spouse: What’s wrong?
Me: I can’t write at Home Depot!

Photo by Andy Wright

3. Have faith in revision.

Friend: How’s the book coming?
Me: Terrible. It’s almost finished.
Friend: How is that terrible? That’s great.
Me: It is great. The book is terrible.

4. Lower your standards. For everything.

Stepdaughter: All the in-laws are in! Thirteen for Sunday dinner!
Me: I can get dinner for thirteen at Publix, but I wonder if I can get the dog to clean the house.

5. Don’t take yourself seriously. 

Writer Friend: How’s Nanowrimo?
Me: I fell behind.
Writer Friend: Me too.
Me: But I’m going to catch up.
Writer Friend: Me too.
Both: [laughter]

photo by Eric Benacek

I’d make this list snappier, but I still have 42,131 words to go, ten guests coming to dinner, and this really cool dog to play with.