Monday, October 25, 2010

Writing Time

Today's passage in WALKING ON ALLIGATORS includes words from Margaret Atwood. She discusses the terror of a blank page inspiring her to write and how she had times of procrastinating and worrying until such time as the anxiety to write kicked in.

Reading the passage that followed Ms. Atwood's words, I was struck by the truth that one needs to write when he/she has time to write and to make that time to write if needed. The author of the book, Susan Shaughnessy, talked about how we shouldn't be so quick to envy full-time writers as it is often too easy to procrastinate and do other things rather than write. Whereas if one has only one specific hour a day to write, he/she is going to write during that time and not be hindered by the anxiety of not writing the rest of the day, therefore, increasing productivity. She suggests those few hours "may save you days of dithering." I chuckled heartily reading the word "dithering" as it so aptly describes me and how I approach many of my writing days. It is too easy to be pulled in the many other directions that call rather than to sit, butt in chair, and write. So...I will follow Ms. Shaughnessy's words and...

"Today, I'll accept the fact that there's no easy way to buckle down. I will write anyway."

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

MUSE Online Writers Conference

Thank you, Lea Schizas!!! What an incredible opportunity you provide to all writers with this wonderful conference. I am very appreciative of having been able to take part in some of the conference this year and will be posting about different aspects in the days to come once I've had time to sort through all of my piles.

For those of you unfamiliar with the MUSE conference, I highly recommend learning more about it. While it is too late for this year's conference, there is always next year. The information gained, experiences shared, networking and "meetings" made possible by Lea were well worth the time invested. Check it out! http://themuseonlinewritersconference.com/

Monday, October 11, 2010

BIC

In reading the author interview accompanying this week in my Bylines Writer's Desk Calendar, I was reminded again of very important advice: butt in chair! This is particularly important this week as I embark on my first ever MUSE Online Writers Conference.

In the interview, Diane Stark discusses how she uses her daily life events--field trips with kids, weight loss, marriage, divorce, etc.--as the basis of her writing. Ultimately, that is what we writers do--turn daily events into something others want to read. What helped me this morning was Diane's advice to...

"Live your life, paying attention to the story ideas around you. And then apply the seat of your pants to the seat of the chair and write." Great advice and reminder to start out a Monday and new writing week. Thank you, Diane!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Perfectionism

Perfectionism is the bane of many a writer. Read Kelly L. Stone's wise words in LIVING WRITE: THE SECRET TO INVITING YOUR CRAFT INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE.

"If perfectionism is inhibiting your ability to write every day, list all the reasons why your writing has to be perfect. Then tear up the list, throw it away, and move to your work-in-progress."

Very sound advice, wouldn't you say? I think the physical act of tearing up the list will be very invigorating indeed. I'm going to give it a try. Care to join me?