by Joe Bunting |
You want to write more. Of course you do. That’s only natural. You’d like to finish that novel (or those three novels!). You’d like to write on your blog more than once a week, and do more guest posting. As you get deeper into writing, it seems like there’s always more to write.
You get an idea for a new book to write at least once a week.
You want to start a blog. You DO start a blog. Then, you get ideas to start three more!
People hear you’re a writer and ask you to write articles, newsletters, and blog posts for them.
The problem is after you get done with work or taking care of the kids, writing is the last thing you want to do. You can’t even muster the willpower to read a book, let alone write one. So you turn on the TV, put your feet up, and promise yourself, “I’ll write tomorrow.”
Eventually, you see through your petty promises and wonder, “Maybe this writing thing just isn’t for me. Maybe I’m not a writer after all.”
by Tina Blain |
I can’t tell you how many times I started a story and not finished it.
Now, I don’t expect to finish absolutely everything that I start because ideas fade and change and “better” ones come into play. However, I do think that not making the most out of my writing sessions has been a hindrance to my writing.
So, I’ve come up with my own little check-list of questions, which if I can answer yes to all, helps me to be a more productive writer.
by Joe Bunting |
“…as immediately I stopped disciplining the muse,” said F. Scott Fitzgerald, “she trotted obediently around and became and erratic mistress if not a steady wife.”
Most writers either over discipline their muse or ignore her (or him).
The key to solving your discipline problem is to realize you don’t have a discipline problem. You have a relational problem.
You can either be a good lover or a failed one, a committed wooer or someone who makes lots of promises but doesn’t deliver.
by Joe Bunting |
Yesterday, I came across a job for a writer on Craigslist. The headline read, “Need help from a writer for my manuscript.” It was a cry of desperation. They couldn’t finish editing it, the ad read. They were exhausted and needed help.
It struck a chord with me. A part of me was dying to respond to the ad, not with a helping hand but rather a kind word to the writer. I wanted to remind her to keep going and to not give up. I wanted to tell her: yes, you can do it. You can finish your novel.
by Joe Bunting |
Dear Resistance,
I have known you all my life. You haunt me with every breath. I’m sick of the voices that feed me doubts and distractions. The constant fears and hesitations you cause are worse than nails on a chalkboard.
Your deception is often disguised as beauty. One moment you are a cup of coffee, or four seconds later a shiny new guitar. You know how to use a beautiful song or amazing speech to make me feel even more insecure.
