Branching out with my writing
So many ideas, so little time.
So many projects, so much self-doubt.
It will be tempting to let it wash all over you.
Go ahead, give it an hour.
Call it a short-term pity party.
Then pull out your notebook, audio recorder, laptop, hammer-and-chisel [and acceptable hard surface]–whatever!–and churn out a few words.
Even if it’s that chapter you finally finished yesterday, despite concerted efforts from a family member. If you finished it, that’s success.
Just don’t overdo it. A sugar-high can be an ugly thing.
Success is a journey, not a destination.
The doing is often more important than the outcome.
*Arthur Ashe*
A book I like on success and ‘getting stuff done’: The One Thing by Gary Keller. [No, I don’t always heed the advice, but it serves to get me back to the essentials.]
Image by Gratisography
This chapter is killing me!
A whine emanates from the other room. He knows…
A little he-and-I time wouldn’t hurt.
A deadly whimper-whine combination.
Stop right there! You know deep down once you leave that keyboard, there’s little chance you’re coming back, not even to turn things off.
Aim for a quick win, or at least a compromise. Set the timer for 20 minutes. You power through till the buzzer goes off and then Droopy-Eyed Ralph can get his walk.
Other anti-distraction tips:
http://published.com/magazine/how-to-create-distraction-free-writing-life
…and for those with family members who can’t read ‘Do Not Disturb’ signs and who claim to not understand clearly-stated boundaries: http://www.diyauthor.com/distraction-working-home-when-you-have-pets/ .
And, don’t forget the one writer you should always be competing with: the previous version of you.
***
photo courtesy of Gratisography
You face-planted on your last foray into a new genre. Critics cared enough to send their very best…jeers, barbs, and insults. [Remember, writers, everything comes in threes.]
Trust that you will find your voice. Characters will come alive. Plots will write themselves. [Again with the threes?]
It’s time to hop back on and start pedaling. [After some reassembly.]
***
photo courtesy of Gratisography
guitar player, or saxman.
Experiment with different working audio.
Even try migrating from digital to…
yes, vinyl. [Granted, if you’re under a tight deadline or you’re on a roll, you might have to hire someone to switch albums for you and nudge the turntable in the event of skipping. Talk about a narrow niche for a side-hustle…]
You might also consider background noise [not counting the barking dog next door].
***
photo courtesy of Gratisography
A little change in circuitry might just do the trick.
“My dear friend, clear your mind of can’t.”– author Samuel Johnson
***
Find many more positive thoughts here, thanks to Barrie Davenport.
It also seems fitting here to acknowledge the passing of Louise Hay earlier this week.
***
photo courtesy of Gratisography
Remember the message of August 29: Don’t linger too long on writing’s low points.
https://www.arcamax.com/thefunnies/rhymeswithorange/s-1991391
Besides, if you’d followed the sage advice from August 05, you’d have already steeled yourself against apathetic responses to your work.
Word Inventions