How to Get Everyone to Believe You Know What You Are Doing, Even When You Don't

In the past two years, I have learned a few things about myself, but mostly on how to be an effective leader, or, as I like to call it, an effective springboard from which your overworked fingers, keyboard and mind can inspire a plethora of others to be just like you.

Okay, so maybe not a plethora, but several others. And it really isn't that difficult, if you have the five key items that makes a ML not just a ML, but an extraordinary ML.

1) Humor. Or in my case, sarcasm. If you don't have a sense about you to laugh, even if it is at your expense, you can't see the position of ML as it is: the go-to person. Remember that your flock will go to you with everything, and if you can't find something humorous about it, then you can't show your writers that there is a novel worth writing and you can't get the unstuck from their current funk.

2) Understanding. Or, a sympathetic ear. Most of the time your writers just want to vent. So let them vent. You may be able to use it in a novel someday or at least against that writer at a future time!

3) Caffeine. So, we all joke about the caffeine addictions developed in November, and the increase of attendance for addiction support groups in December, but having some sort of comfort drink (or anything for that matter) can aid in the creative process. Encourage your writers to find something that alleviates stress while sitting at the computer, whether it is Coca-cola, or the latest Sarah Brightman cd. Everyone has an addiction. Exploit it.

4) Quotes Book. As cliché as it sounds, having a daily or even weekly saying can help ease any tension. One of the things I like to do in my weekly emails to my group is give them some sort of literary quote that reminds them that even the greats like Hemmingway felt writing was difficult.

5) Honesty. Show your writers that, yes, even you feel the pressure. Knowing that the ML is having trouble deciding what voice their main character should have, or what color the dress that the antagonist is wearing allows everyone to acknowledge that we are all in the same boat, at the same time. No one is any different than the other.

With these five items in mind, anyone to inspire a group to write. Or try their damnedest. Give these a shot this November and see how it goes.

For more information on the National Novel Writing Month or becoming a Municipal Liaison, visit their website at www.nanowrimo.org