Happy Saturday, writing friends.
As you know, on Saturday I have only one rule: do the opposite of something we did during the week.
The reasoning behind this is simple. If you occasionally break the guidelines you set for yourself, your writing will never get stale, you will never become a cheap parody of yourself, you will continue to grow. Let's get started, shall we?
The Opposite of Showing Off?
Yesterday, I introduced an opportunity to show off your work and maybe even get published in a book.
So I was thinking, what's the opposite of showing off? Would it be showing on? Sneaking in? Hobbiting around? Or maybe, Hiding Away. Yes, I like that. Hide away.
Today, we're introducing our new new contest. The Hide Away Contest.
Photo by Vinoth Chandar
Hide Your Writing Away
Most writers spend years hiding away their work. The most famous example is Samuel Clemens, AKA Mark Twain. Twain didn't write his first novel, Tom Sawyer, until he was 41, and spent years writing in secret, hiding away his words until they were ready.
He hid away his last book as well. According to his will, he wouldn't let publishers print his 736 page autobiography until 100 years after his death. In November 2010, his autobiography finally came out and became an immediate bestseller.
You could say hiding away his writing led to his success.
Let me explain the rules of the Hide Away Contest.
THE HIDE AWAY CONTEST: RULES
Write about Christmas.
- This could be a non-fictional account of your memories from Christmas, a fictional account of some sort, a metaphysical piece, a stream of conscious narrative, a poem, a billboard, a doodle. Basically, whatever you want.
- You can write as long or as little as you want.
- Do not post it in the comments.
- There is no deadline. No one will see this but YOU!
Just write. Write write write. Write for fifteen minutes or five or forty, but write by yourself, and as you write make a pact with yourself that you will enjoy it. Enjoy the process. Enjoy the words flowing from your fingers. It doesn't matter whether it's good or not. It just matters that you're doing what you love.
Good luck.
Great observation, Joe. I practice this. I’ve officially published 5 books and have 8 more awaiting the partner who will help me get them ready for publishing. I’m glad I did all that work before I began to lose my patience as a writer.
Yes, you certainly have written “secretly” for a long time. I’m always impressed by your willingness to slave in anonymity, Seth.
Great observation, Joe. I practice this. I’ve officially published 5 books and have 8 more awaiting the partner who will help me get them ready for publishing. I’m glad I did all that work before I began to lose my patience as a writer.
Yes, you certainly have written “secretly” for a long time. I’m always impressed by your willingness to slave in anonymity, Seth.
This exercise reminds me of the “Artist’s Way” morning pages. I make it a point to write as though no one will see the results…particularly early in my drafts. Thanks for the permission to let loose and write free. 😉
I love the Artist’s Way.
This exercise reminds me of the “Artist’s Way” morning pages. I make it a point to write as though no one will see the results…particularly early in my drafts. Thanks for the permission to let loose and write free. 😉
I love the Artist’s Way.
I love the Artist’s Way too. It’s how I wrote my first novel … and how I’m writing the “one in progress” as well. Having said that though, it’s also fun to write to a deadline for a competition … As long as one’s not too attached to the outcome, it allows one to go in new and unpredictable directions!@
Very true. I like to play around with my different styles and motivations. Keep the resistance on its toes.
I love the Artist’s Way too. It’s how I wrote my first novel … and how I’m writing the “one in progress” as well. Having said that though, it’s also fun to write to a deadline for a competition … As long as one’s not too attached to the outcome, it allows one to go in new and unpredictable directions!@
Very true. I like to play around with my different styles and motivations. Keep the resistance on its toes.
I won!
Ha nice.
I won!
Ha nice.
I don’t enjoy christmas.