Some writers say that any moment the tips of their fingers touch the keyboard they can be off to any land of their choosing. It's true. Temptation to wander is strong. In that case, it behooves these writers to map out a personal writing schedule. And, like following any map, if writers wish to reach their destination, then they must stay the course.
I've noticed that many writers set high NaNoWriMo goals, plus they push to keep them. That's wonderful, but that's only for November. To truly stay the course, writers must push with the same intensity every day of the year. One way to accomplish this feat may be to concentrate more when signing onto the computer.
First, staying the course takes mind control. Writers must decide the importance of starting, progressing, or finishing their WIP. How badly do writers want to write, and what are writers willing to sacrifice to accomplish another chapter?
Second, staying the course takes resisting the urge to look at a writer's own blog because we all know how easy blog hopping can become from taking “just one look.”
Next, staying the course means not signing onto to email, for any reason, until the day's writing goal has been met. But, if there is an important email to be sent, then the writer must send it and sign off immediately. Any wandering could mean loss of writing time, or at worst, not writing at all for the day.
Last, staying the course means pondering the hats writers wear (family, church, school, sports, etc.), the friends writers have (facebook), and the health writers require to make them the writer they most want to become. When writers are kind to themselves by setting realistic writing goals, then writers are most likely to accomplish the desires of their hearts. Good Luck, Everyone!
Thanks for this! I've been pondering this, and how best to not "run faster than [I] have strength" lately, so it's good to hear it from someone else!
ReplyDeleteI guess that's something I need to translate into crafts so I can get everything done in time for next month's show!
ReplyDeleteGood advice, especially the email one! I get so far behind on that, I feel obligated just by looking at my inbox full of unopened mail!!!
Did you read my mind? You know human nature so well. Maybe I just need to take a peek at one intsy wintsy blog or mail. . .
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone! Renae, I was just reading today in THE WRITER'S HANDBOOK an article by Barbara Taylor Bradford who said that a successful writer will be able to understand human nature, so I appreciate your comment!
ReplyDeleteI wasted a lot of valuable writing time on e-mail, blog hopping and the like. Those things are almost as tempting as key lime pie...almost. = )
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestion about setting realistic writing goals. The smaller the goal, the easier to accomplish it, I say.