Write.
Even if you have other things to do.
Even if it sucks.
Even though it's hard.
Even though there are no guarantees.
Even if no one else cares.
Revise.
Even though it's difficult to be objective.
Even if you think you got it right the first time.
Even though you hate it.
Even if you're sure it's a waste of time.
Submit.
Even if it's to a small, non-paying publication.
Even if you feel you're not ready.
Even if you hate rejection.
Even if you know you'll never be accepted.
Repeat.
You're a writer. Act like one.
Applause! I might just have to hang this one over my desk.
ReplyDeleteThis is similar to my own daily motivation speech,which is: "Don't feel like writing today? Boo-fucking-hoo."
ReplyDeleteHave you read Stephen Pressfield's THE WAR OF ART?
Oh thank you for this. I've had the house to myself this weekend with the boyfriend away and the daughter at her dad's, but my writing excuses have suffered under cleaning the kitchen, spotless, watching a documentary on PBS about penguins, and taking two hot bubble baths. :)
ReplyDeleteAll wonderful things, but I have a host of words to get out of my head and I don't know why I'm distracting myself away from the easy work!
Yep. You want it to be your job? Treat it like it is your job.
ReplyDeleteLove you for this. I will tattoo it to my forehead and refer my clients to your site.
ReplyDeleteWords of wisdom.
ReplyDeleteSlap! Slap! Thanks. I needed that.
ReplyDelete"Difficult to be subjective "
ReplyDelete???
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Thank you sir. May I have another?
ReplyDeleteI wrote yesterday when I didn't feel like it and I was absolutely convinced it was going to be crap.
ReplyDeleteI read it this morning and, you know, it wasn't awful. It was certainly worth the time and it will be easier to work with now that its on paper.
My mantra goes like this: Only writing is writing. Thinking about writing, reading about writing, discussing writing--don't count... Only writing is writing.
I write everyday.
The other stuff isn't useless but it isn't writing.
Tom Schreck
"On The Ropes, A Duffy Dombrowski Mystery"
Coming from Midnight Ink Sept. 2007
Duffy Short stories available on Amazon
www.tomschreck.com
You're a poet
ReplyDeleteAnd you don't even knowet.
Sometimes the simpliest posts are the best, Joe. Especially the part about submitting. It always kind of surprises me when I hear about writers who stall at this crucial point. You can't write a book without courage. You sure as hell can't get it published without even more courage.
ReplyDeleteGood catch, Bernita.
ReplyDeleteI only have one thing to say about this post:
ReplyDeleteYep.
Joe, you're sexier when you're brief.
ReplyDeleteI love this! It is the writer's version of one of my fave expressions, KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid... or Sweetie... however you happen to be viewing yourself on that particular day). Great stuff. ;D
ReplyDeleteThe thing I find is, writing isn't hard. Once you start, writing is kind of rewarding, in a masochistic way.
ReplyDeleteSTARTING is what's hard.
If you can devise yourself a ritual that will make you start, the rest of it follows. It's like (I don't know, G-rated example): diving into an ice-cold lake. Once you're past the shock of entry, it feels really good.
Write: Check
ReplyDeleteRevise: In progress
Submit: Um...
Repeat: Will do
Reminds me a little of the directions on the back of my shampoo bottle. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Another video of me on my drive to query 450 literary agents by New Years.
ReplyDeleteThere's a video montage at the end played to the tune of The Beatles "Helter Skelter."
Stacey
This should make you smile:
ReplyDeleteI called in a favor
I know Anne Wayman, who is an editor for b5media, one of the largest and classiest blog networks. She writes about freelance writing, and manages all of the writing blogs in the network. I dropped her a note and asked her to mention “Book Squid” and she has!
I wanted to do whatever I could to promote the e-book, so I made it free. Since then there have been several downloads, and I would expect Anne’s mention to bring dozens more.
She was quite impressed with your blog!
See her post
Wishing you and all your readers a joyous Thanksgiving! I am so grateful for having found you!
Thanks for the motivating post.
ReplyDeleteAlex is right. It's the STARTING that kills you. Waking up every morning, staring at your laptop sitting there on the floor and thinking, noooo, noooo, leave me alone...
ReplyDeleteThen, of course, there's the finishing. Finishing when you have a deadline looming. Wondering if you'll make it. Your brain screaming, noooo, noooo, leave me alone...
You get the idea I'm feeling a little pressure right now?
Can I reprint this in the Redwood Writers' newsletter?
ReplyDeleteCatherine