November 26, 2010

Did you read “Who’s in Charge?” (Part 1) and “Who’s in Charge?” (Part 2) first?

Life is one choice after another. We have to choose our writing thoughts, which help shape our writing attitudes, and that leads us to the next level: actions. This is where the writing rubber meets the road. 

Actions

A committed attitude will make choosing your actions easier. When you’re willing to do whatever it takes to revamp your personal life so you can write, the choices become clearer.

• You will do things like choosing to write before doing the dishes, even though it bugs you to leave dirty dishes in the sink.
• You will choose to write for an hour instead of watch TV or talk on the phone.
• You will choose to have that lower carb/higher protein lunch so your writing energy is high all afternoon.
• You will choose to retire at a decent hour so you’re alert to create the next morning.
• You’ll consciously choose to make quality time with your family so you can write without feeling guilty–and without being neglectful.
• Instead of a mental wish list, you’ll choose to set goals, write them down, and even make a poster for your wall so you’re staring at them daily.
• You will choose to settle family quarrels and resolve conflicts partly because NOT doing so saps all your writing energy.

Just One Fork After Another!

You will make choices in all areas of your life that will support your writing instead of making it more difficult. Each time you come to a fork in the road, try to make a choice that will put you in charge of your writing. Each choice might look small, but these decisions add up to your writing life.

It might sound restrictive, but it’s really not. In 2011, I hope we all find that freedom that comes from being in charge of ourselves–and thus, our writing.

What is one action you would change today if you could?

6 Comments »

1. 

   At the conference I just attended, it was never clearer to me that in order to get anywhere, you have to write. Not just now and then, when you feel like it, but regularly and with goals firmly in mind.
   I have just been reading about a new writer who has had three books accepted for publication this year. I heard some envious comments at the conference, but when I read about her, she said she writes every day – and her writing time is 10pm-1am, after her family has gone to bed.
   It’s the only time she can guarantee is for writing, and she (luckily) is a night owl. I wish she had told everyone at the conference about her writing habit – it might have made a few people change their ideas about “what it takes”.

   Comment by Sherryl — March 1, 2008 @ 3:10 am

2. 

   What a load of wisdom there! Yes, I wish she had said that at the conference too, but I know why she didn’t. It doesn’t get a good response! I have always shied away from telling the truth when people say, “Oh you’re so lucky to have found a good publisher” or “you’re so lucky to be thin.” I just smile and agree to avoid having them be mad at me. But lately, I have been giving slightly more truthful answers and saying, “I run daily and I watch what I eat most of the time, or I gain just like everybody else” and “I only sell books when I’ve been diligent about my daily writing time and market study, and I don’t sell when I’m not–just like everyone else.” It’s not about luck!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — March 2, 2008 @ 2:01 pm

3. 

   I would like to change my deep-rooted habit of procrastinating. I see a deadline so far in advance that I feel I have all the time in the world and then when it comes creeping up and I realize that I only have a few days left I begin to panic. I know I have to stop making excuses for delaying and just do my work, but like most things, it is easier said than done…

   Comment by Chad — November 26, 2010 @ 3:53 pm

4. 

   Chad, you sound like a good many writers. I wrote about it in a post called “The Vicious Procrastination Cycle” that you can find here. Maybe it will help!
   http://institutechildrenslit.net/Writers-First-Aid-blog/2009/05/29/the-vicious-procrastination-cycle/

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 27, 2010 @ 3:11 pm

5. 

   So true, Kristi. It’s all about making those daily choices. Today is Sunday. The holiday guests have left (we had a great time). My husband is making breakfast and although I have one more lesson to finish correcting, I am taking 30 minutes to work on my WIP. Then … breakfast, some Christmas decorating, the lesson and other kitten fun.

   Thanks for posting that story, Sherryl. I know anothe writer, who holds a full time job as a teacher, has a family to care for and she writes diligently from 10-1 pm as well. Maybe it’s the same person.

   Comment by Vijaya — November 28, 2010 @ 12:00 pm

6. 

   Vijaya, given how busy your Sunday was and how much you still had to do, I’m so impressed that you took half an hour to write. And yes, Sherryl’s story about the conference was a breath of fresh air. There’s no real mystery about success. Probably it’s not the same person though–Sherryl’s in Australia.

   Comment by Kristi Holl — November 29, 2010 @ 3:15 pm

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