If you’re traveling west, you’ll end up in California. Go East, and you might land in New York instead. The direction you choose determines your destination. But what makes you choose one direction over the other? For most people, it’s whatever grabs your attention. If warm beaches and surfing snag your attention, you’re more likely to […]
focus
Frustration and the Serenity Prayer for Writers
This has been a frustrating week on several levels. When I’m frustrated, it’s usually a sign that I’m trying to control something I can’t control. This can be a person or a situation or an event. The process can churn your mind into mush until you can’t think. On the other hand, making a 180-degree […]
How to Fix A Writer's Fragmented Life
I always blog on Tuesdays. Except yesterday. My grandkids had been here for a couple of days of hiking, water fights, reading and laughing. I had planned to blog last night, but I had a meeting at my house to plan and clean for. BUT the air conditioning went out (a big deal in summertime […]
Warning: Stop Shifting and Drifting
Have you ever noticed that we never drift in good directions? If you want to accomplish anything, it has to be by choice. “Drift” is our default setting when we allow outside distractions to capture our attention. Have you drifted away from your writing goals set earlier this year? Looking Back Recall the last time you […]
Focus: Are You Centered Or Are You Fragmented?
Any writing day can feel overwhelming if you’re trying to juggle several projects. Right now, I’m proofing a book due next week, finishing one not due for a while, and plotting a novel to get ready for NaNoWriMo. I blog and Twitter and do Facebook. I have a novel critique to do. EEEEEEEEEEEK! Bouncing Off the […]
Focus: Avoid Split-Brain Writing
Over the weekend I spoke with a writer dealing with some worries that are daily robbing her of her hours of creative time. It reminded me of an earlier post on Fighting to Focus. Where’s Your Focus? From studies I’ve read, when you’re going through a crisis (yours or someone else’s), there is a single-minded focus that will […]
Writing Through Interruptions
In my book Writer’s First Aid, I talk a lot about dealing with interruptions and distractions because I began writing when I had a newborn (ten days old), a todder (two) and a preschooler. If I couldn’t write through interruptions, I couldn’t write at all most days. People protest all the time that they can’t write with […]
Organized Books and Lives
A couple weeks ago I encouraged you to get ready for NaNoWriMo–the writing group that produces a book in November. I hope you have an idea for it now. I also encouraged you to spend October getting organized so that you have the best chance of succeeding. To me, success includes having a really good rough […]
Drains in Disguise
I was wrong–again. For twenty years, I’ve told students and wannabe writers that you have to put the writing first! Do it before other things take over your day. Fight the impulse to clean your kitchen first, or straighten your office, or clean up the mess the kids made before leaving for school. “But I […]
Gradual Exposure
For many reasons, we set writing goals–and then promptly get stuck. The reasons vary: The goal is overwhelming, and we don’t know where to start. We don’t have an hour or two each day to devote to reaching our goal. We don’t really believe you can reach goals “a little bit at a time.” […]