This will be the first year I haven’t entered NaNoWriMo in a long, long time. Why? Because a book I started as a NaNo Project finally landed me a bona-fide book deal with a “Big 5” publisher, that’s why – so I am living proof that You. Can. Do. This.

In my resource collection I have a file of stuff I use to motivate me before NaNo starts every year, so I’m going to share them with you:

1. Pixar’s 22 Rules to Phenomenal Storytelling – These are outstanding, and rule #4 is the rough outline for every single book I’ve ever written.
2. Chuck Wendig on How to Push Past the Bullshit and Write That Goddamn Novel
3. 22 Lessons from Stephen King on How to be a Great Writer
4. 10 Writing Tips to Make Your Editor’s Life Easier
5. Joss Whedon: 5 Things Your Script Has to Have (this goes for fiction, too)

Hope those help – and good luck to everyone!

Now here’s my sage advice:

FINISH THAT BOOK. JUST WRITE AND FINISH THAT DAMN BOOK.