ON WRITING

 My First Incredibly Arrogant-Because-I'm-Not-Even-Published-Writing-Advice

My comments are based on both my own painful experience and others’ very good advice.

Honestly, I don’t come from a place of arrogance. It’s more to offer supportive advice to anyone else struggling to be a better writer.

Using goals, or any system, to reach a certain word count or writing for a certain length of time, has helped my daily writing somewhat (not quite daily, true be told). I would use a system for a while and feel very encouraged that it does work. And then it didn't – or I didn't. I would try something else and that would work as well. And then it didn't.

The lesson is simple: sit down and write regardless of the “system” you use and be consistent. If one system doesn't work for you, then use another system and just keep writing. The only “secret” or “trick” to it is simply to stay put and write!

To further my goal of concentrating on writing, I had an old desktop cleaned up to be sure it's clear of viruses and old junk from family use. There is no wireless card on it, so I cannot connect to the Internet. What I can do is write. I save drafts on a flash drive and move to my laptop for revisions. But at least for the time I'm writing, I won't be tempted to click on something online to "just check real fast."

I have a comfortable new chair for my ailing back. I have new pens that write with great ease. I have my safe desktop with no Internet connection. My desk is by the glass door showing the patio in a pretty grassy area (or snowy, depending on the season). What more could I want?

Now, there are no excuses to prevent writing.

When you fail to be that disciplined - and you will - don't give up on you. The first part of this blog was not to give up on writing but now I remind you (and myself) that we can't give up on ourselves. Just because we don't achieve a particular goal, such as NaNoWriMo or any other system of discipline where we could see our accomplishments, it doesn't mean we don't keep trying. Writers write, so write, and keep believing in yourself enough to not give up because you have not been disciplined lately, or today, or this year. It will sap your confidence and that negative energy is the enemy.