November is halfway over and by now, many people despair of finishing their NaNoWriMo challenge. I’m here to remind you that there is no magic. There is only determination.

Over the years I’ve noticed that the most significant difference between the people who keep writing and the people who stop writing is no more and no less than this: The people who keep writing are the ones who keep writing. … There’s no magic to it, only sheer bloody-minded stubbornness. — Rachel Kadish

As I’ve been saying all month, any writing beats no writing, so make time to write a few words today.

If you are not meeting your expectations, try lowering the bar. Sometimes less can lead to more.

Whatever you do, pat yourself on the back for the things you accomplish today.

Did you write 2000 words? 20 words? or 2? It’s all good.

You deserve credit for showing up. And if you are stubborn enough to show up again tomorrow? Even better.

Keep writing and let me know how your novel is coming.