Successful Writers Risk Stepping Forward

Buying a toy for a child can result in mind-boggling hours of assembly. My husband pulls the instruction sheet out of the box, tosses it aside, and gets to work. A short time later the toy is assembled and a pile of leftover screws, bolts and other required objects for assembly lay in a pile on the floor.

Photo by Carly Vee. Michigan
Sleeping Bear Dunes Drop Off, 450' climb, 65 degree angle

He has his own system and it works. Tried and true. He opens the box, looks at the pieces, makes decisions, and takes the steps needed to assemble the toy.

Changing scenarios but not the topic: 

Every diet plan, no matter how ridiculous, has worked for someone and failed for others. South Beach is the one my doctor prefers. My sister uses Atkins. Church friends use Weight Watchers. My mom tried the "ice cream" diet--it didn't work. I have since concluded that each time I have firmly decided to go on a diet of choice, no matter what is placed before me, no matter what the event, no matter what my body screams for, the diet works.

Why do some plans/ideas/goals work and others don't?

1. Because we have resolutely made a commitment to take a step forward.

2. We have placed blinders by our eyes to prevent stepping away.

3. We have set attainable goals.

4. We have owned the plan...modified if necessary...but owned the plan.

5. We have acted.

And by acting, there is motion. Something we can visibly see, hear, feel.

And we can glance back and witness progress. 

There are many stages along the writing journey where writers stop, plop down on their backside and veg on a park bench. The rest isn't necessarily needed. But a goblin called Discouraged, Stuck, or Lost-on-a-White-Page-with-No-Ink steps in the middle of the road and refuses to move. Confused and without a plan, the writer relinquishes and stops working.

What can we do?

1. Sigh

2. Sit

3. Stagger back home defeated

4. Whine, complain, blame

OR

USE THE MOMENT

1. If your child cries, the phone rings, etc, while you're writing and you feel the need to stop, mentally note the details of what is happening - AND use them in the current or a future work. These golden, seemingly intrusions of our writing time are real life fodder. Every moment of our lives is golden be it joy, sorrow, trial, success, chore, or rest.

2. If you are overwhelmed by the four hundredth perfect method how to plot your book, deepen your character, edit your work, etc.,  treat it like a diet plan. Pick one, make a commitment, and do it. 

Along the way you may discover what is needed to own the method or perhaps you will like it just the way it is. BUT no plan will ever work unless it is used.

3. Communicate. God has given us sweet families. Frequently if we tell them about our writing deadlines, they will work to help us. One of my favorite memories: my son brought a cup of tea to my writing place. So sweet.

The bottom line...publication will only happen if steps in a forward direction are taken. 

So what will it be for you? How can you take a step forward, today?

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photos above courtesy of Renee Smith

This blog post is by Mary Vee

Mary has moved to Michigan with her husband, closer to her three college kids. She misses the mountains of Montana, but loves seeing family more often. She writes contemporary and romance Christian fiction with a focus on the homeless population and loves to pen missionary and Bible adventure stories on her ministry blog, God Loves Kids.

Visit Mary at her website and her ministry blog to families: God Loves Kids. Or chat on Facebook or Twitter