November 24, 2010

Hope you read “Who’s in Charge?” (Part 1) first!

On Monday I talked about taking charge of your negative thought because where the mind goes, the man (or woman) follows! And how will that help?

Attitudes

Changing your thoughts will change your attitudes and emotional feelings about writing. Instead of postponing happiness until you get published, for example, choose to be content with your writing today.

Choose to enjoy the act of putting words down on paper to capture an image. Choose to enjoy delving into your memories for a kernel of a story idea. Choose to enjoy the process of reading back issues of magazines you want to submit to. Choose to enjoy reading a book on plot or dialogue or characterization for tips you can apply to your stories.

Instead of feeling pressured to succeed quickly, choose to be patient with your learning curve. Choose to be happy about each small, steady step forward.

Zoom Out!

Look at the larger picture, how each writing day is another small building block laying the foundation of your career. Stay present in the present! Pace yourself with the determined attitude of the tortoise instead of the sprinter attitude of the hare.

You also need to choose an attitude of commitment. Commit to your goals and deadlines, to continued improvement in your writing, and to dealing with negative feelings as they come up. Commitment is more than “I wish” or “I’d like.” Commitment is “I will.” There is a huge difference! (Like the gap between a man saying, “Gee, I’d like to marry you” and “Will you marry me–here’s the ring–let’s set a date!”)

Move from the wishy-washy attitude of “I’d like to be a writer” to the commitment level of “I’ll do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to be a successful writer.” That one change in attitude can be what determines if you make it as a writer.

(Stay tuned for Part 3 on Friday.)

4 Comments »

1. 

   As always, Kristi, you are right. I need to re-COMMIT to revising my novel, even if it is in 15-min chunks. Today is a good day as ever to do it. Today is a new day. I will be doing a lot of cooking for Thanksgiving, but I will make those 15 min. to touch my Magnum Opus and make one page shine. Steal time from cranberry sauce and beans and squash …

   Thank you and have a happy Thanksgiving with all your loved ones.

   Comment by Vijaya — November 24, 2010 @ 11:21 am

2. 

   Vijaya, I’m with you! I was preaching to the choir here. I needed this week’s pep talks even if no one else did. I’ve recommitted again, and I’m ready!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 24, 2010 @ 12:05 pm

3. 

   Kristi, you’ve done it again!

   As you know (Sort of…) I’ve had many setbacks in my writing life. But I’m happy to say I’m starting to become the writer I always dreamed of being.

   I don’t mean that in a superficial, egomaniac way, but I’m starting to live everything you said in this post.

   You’re so right that we need to be happy as writers before we’re published so we don’t get too overwhelmed by the process.

   I’m still working on the patience thing, but I know it will come.

   I want to recommend a book I’d heard about and after reading a preview of it, it’s high on my personal shopping list next week. It’s called “The Fire in Fiction” by Donald Mass, a literary agent who’s books on craft remind me that in spite of the frustrations, I love being a writer.

   Also, I did end up buying Sandy’s Asher’s “Writing it Right!” earlier in the year and it’s been a huge help for me. I still have to work on learning from the book without shouting at the book, or cringing in parts.

   Take care and be safe over the Thanksgiving weekend.

   C.J.

   Comment by C.J. Rockwell — November 24, 2010 @ 4:18 pm

4. 

   C.J., I believe you when you mention the changes you have made because your posts have changed over time. I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying the writing more. I’m glad Sandy’s book on editing is helping you–it has gotten terrific reviews in some major writing publications. And I agree with you about “Fire in Fiction.” I’ve been working through it slowly and applying the exercises in each chapter to my current WIP. I have found nearly every chapter to be helpful in some problem or another I was having. Enjoy!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 26, 2010 @ 6:09 am

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

Leave a comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website