FIGHT YOUR RESISTANCE
I published my first novel From the Ground Up this month on Amazon.
Most people ask me "How did you find time to write a whole book?" They looked amazed. They know I work full-time and have a busy life. Answer: It wasn't easy. It was hard writing a 298 page novel and it took over three years to complete.
Are you a writer? Do you want to write a book? A blog? A poem?
Don't limit yourself to one medium -- try them all. But first, you have to start with one -- and aim to finish your project.
I found some tricks that helped me. Maybe they'll help you.
I kept a journal (a day planner actually). When I first started writing my novel From the Ground Up, I was between full-time jobs. Perfect. I had time. What does every writer say? "If I only had more time, I'd finish that script... book... song."
No more excuses. You have to make the time. It's like going to the gym. The hardest part is going -- once in the zone, you're fine and excited. Same with writing. You have to start. So keeping a journal was a good idea because I could mark off how much I wrote that day: 2 hours, 3 hours, 30 minutes. At the end of the week, I could flip the pages and see what I'd accomplished in black and white.
Another trick -- I told friends I was writing a book. Why? Accountability. If you put it out there, you better back it up. There will be that one friend who asks months later, "So how's that book you were writing?" You'll feel wonderful if you can say "I'm half way done. Or, it's finished."
Every artist faces resistance. One of my favorite writers is Steven Pressfield (The War of Art). He's written tons of novels, but also short non fiction books about writing. He says resistance shadows every artist. The muse is strong, but the shadow of resistance is stronger some days -- she'll tempt you by saying, "Who do you think you are to write a book? Who's gonna read that? You're wasting your time?"
Sound familiar? Ignore the resistance. Hear it and keep working anyway. Don't let any judgments discourage you from the work ahead.
Be professional in tackling your project. Block out time for it. Put it on your calendar. Prepare your place to create. Just do it. Sit down and work. You'll see the pages piling up in time. Paragraphs turn into chapters. Chapters turn into a book.
Nobody said writing would be a breeze. That's why most people quit. They have unfinished novels, scripts and poems on their desktops or tucked away in drawers.
Be brave. Take small steps and you'll be publishing your first book in no time.
From the Ground Up is available for sale on Amazon.com. Order your copy here. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F3CYSU8
I published my first novel From the Ground Up this month on Amazon.
Most people ask me "How did you find time to write a whole book?" They looked amazed. They know I work full-time and have a busy life. Answer: It wasn't easy. It was hard writing a 298 page novel and it took over three years to complete.
Are you a writer? Do you want to write a book? A blog? A poem?
Don't limit yourself to one medium -- try them all. But first, you have to start with one -- and aim to finish your project.
I found some tricks that helped me. Maybe they'll help you.
I kept a journal (a day planner actually). When I first started writing my novel From the Ground Up, I was between full-time jobs. Perfect. I had time. What does every writer say? "If I only had more time, I'd finish that script... book... song."
No more excuses. You have to make the time. It's like going to the gym. The hardest part is going -- once in the zone, you're fine and excited. Same with writing. You have to start. So keeping a journal was a good idea because I could mark off how much I wrote that day: 2 hours, 3 hours, 30 minutes. At the end of the week, I could flip the pages and see what I'd accomplished in black and white.
Another trick -- I told friends I was writing a book. Why? Accountability. If you put it out there, you better back it up. There will be that one friend who asks months later, "So how's that book you were writing?" You'll feel wonderful if you can say "I'm half way done. Or, it's finished."
Every artist faces resistance. One of my favorite writers is Steven Pressfield (The War of Art). He's written tons of novels, but also short non fiction books about writing. He says resistance shadows every artist. The muse is strong, but the shadow of resistance is stronger some days -- she'll tempt you by saying, "Who do you think you are to write a book? Who's gonna read that? You're wasting your time?"
Sound familiar? Ignore the resistance. Hear it and keep working anyway. Don't let any judgments discourage you from the work ahead.
Be professional in tackling your project. Block out time for it. Put it on your calendar. Prepare your place to create. Just do it. Sit down and work. You'll see the pages piling up in time. Paragraphs turn into chapters. Chapters turn into a book.
Nobody said writing would be a breeze. That's why most people quit. They have unfinished novels, scripts and poems on their desktops or tucked away in drawers.
Be brave. Take small steps and you'll be publishing your first book in no time.
From the Ground Up is available for sale on Amazon.com. Order your copy here. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F3CYSU8
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