Butt in chair, hands on keys.
It’s that simple and that difficult. After thirty years as a published author, I’ve found the only constant requirement of being a successful writer is showing up. That’s the only thing we have complete control over. If we don’t show up to get the job done, day after day, week after week, no one else is going to do it for us. Words and stories don’t write themselves.
Some days, the last place you want to be is at the keyboard, especially if those words don’t come easily . . . if at all. When we get a rejection, a bad review, have an important life event (like your second child!), we can ignore that blinking cursor and take a much-needed temporary break, but we just can’t stay away. Those words are always circling, looking for a chance to land. And they won’t be ignored for long.
Being a writer isn’t just about the words that go into our books. It’s creating the promo package, doing the events, setting up a blog post (like this one), giving a speech, taking research notes, and all those other “wordy” things that come along with the job. Even if we’re not actively writing down those plots and conversations, they’re stirring in that creative brain pan, story ingredients thickening into a creative roux until ready to pour out onto the screen.
Here’s to being that successful writer!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.The awesome co-hosts for the September 1st posting of the IWSG will be Rebecca Douglass, T. Powell Coltrin @Journaling Woman, Natalie Aguirre, Karen Lynn, and C. Lee McKenzie!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
So true that we must show up if we want to get words on the page.
ReplyDeleteWe make it SO hard for ourselves sometimes. Imagination is a gift, not a battle.
DeleteYou've certainly had enough experience with it. Now you can add the joy of sharing that with other writers, like Diane Burton.
ReplyDeleteSharing is the best and most gratifying part since I had no one to guide me in those early days.
DeleteShowing up. What a simple but amazing concept. Sometimes, the hardest thing is to open that file (showing up). Hurray for the writers who show up every day!
ReplyDeleteMay we be them!!
Delete"...the only constant requirement of being a successful writer is showing up. That’s the only thing we have complete control over."
ReplyDeleteShow Up needs to be on a post it on every writer's desk. A reminder about what you say here: that *that* is the way to be successful. It's actually my goal for this month, to write every day. Thank you for your thoughts and your post. Happy IWSG Day! :)
On my desk I have two posters, one says "Write NOW" and the other "Quit Whining Start Writing".
DeleteI'm not a sitter by nature, so of course, I chose to be a writer! I guess I have to have a challenge or doing something isn't worthwhile. I liked your definition of success.
ReplyDeleteIt is always a challenge! But well worth it!
DeleteEverything you said, Nancy! You're a great role model for putting butt into chair. You're at the top of the list for dedication. BTW, I love, love, LOVE your new website!!!!! So much easier to read, great use of white space. Fantastic pages.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana! Florence and I had so much fun updating it. I give her all the credit for finding the format.
DeleteWay to get down to the basics! Yeah, those words and ideas swirling in the old brain pan won't put themselves on paper. I need to get at that... after I take a nap...
ReplyDeleteNap, first, definitely! LOL!
DeleteYou are so right, and your take is so encouraging. You don't need to be blessed by the magical muse. You don't need to be born with some extraordinary talent. You just need to show up and keep going. There are lots of days I don't feel like it, but the cool thing is, when I go back and reread my work, I can't tell which parts were written on good days and which ones on bad days. So I keep pushing through.
ReplyDeleteHappy (belated) IWSG day!
Well said, Janet!
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