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It’s easy to get sucked into a rut when it comes to writing.
From there it’s easier to get sucked into a passive routine where we only sit
down to write because this hour has been blocked out on the calendar and the
kids are tied up—er—playing in the back room with Barney (only children and
their parents from my generation will know this reference ;-) as a babysitter.
It’s easy to become complacent and do it because someone, or
even ourselves, expect our backsides to be in a chair and our fingers clicking
away on the keyboard. But writing shouldn’t be all about taking each step
forward because we have to. We should take every step forward because we want to. It shouldn’t always have to be
plodding, but should be filled with times of joy.
Even if we have to search out that joy.
One of the inspirations I saw on Pinterest (yes, I realize
that most of my conversations has this word slipped into it) was a jar. A jar
to be filled with slips of paper, with a simple note of something good that
happened that day. Maybe it’s something as simple as someone made you feel
special on Facebook or chatted with you on another social media site, but you
really needed the encouragement. Or maybe it’s something big—an agent requested
your full book or offered you a contract. Do it before you begin writing or
maybe it’s something you do after your writing session is done… but take the
time to be thankful. Find some joy in the day to rejuvenate and remind yourself
why you started this journey in the first place.
Take the time to send a quick email to another writer
friend. Not only will you encourage and uplift them, but you’ll reconnect with
a friend and remind yourself of those connections you’ve made within this
industry. I don’t have to tell you writing can become a lonely place and it’s
these relationships that keep you going more often than not. This definitely
the truth on my journey. :- ) Remind yourself frequently that you’re not on
this path alone.
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Place an encouraging scripture in plain sight.
Spend time before each writing session in prayer.
Surround yourself with reminders of why you love writing.
Be purposeful in finding and putting joy into your writing
journey.
Yes, writing takes a lot of work. By yourself. Spending time
putting your fingers on the keyboard and clicking away, creating characters
that are only in your head. But don’t let yourself become sucked into a trap of
solitude. It’s a handhold for the devil to bring discouragement down on your
head.
Sometimes you have to search. Sometimes it comes easy. But
in being purposeful to find the joy in the journey, you’ll rediscover why you
fell in love with story crafting in the first place.
How do you fall in love with writing day after day?
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Casey Herringshaw is a homeschool graduate and has been writing since high school. She lives in rural Eastern Oregon in a town more densely populated with cows than people.
Casey Herringshaw is a homeschool graduate and has been writing since high school. She lives in rural Eastern Oregon in a town more densely populated with cows than people.
12 comments:
This post was so timely for me. I've been really discouraged lately, putting myself out there and not hearing anything. These were great ideas, that I'm going to institute and it's so nice to know I'm not alone feeling lonely. Thank you.
Beautiful post, Casey. It's so good to remember to be purposeful in connecting with other writers, and to write for the joy of it.
Loved this!
Thank you for this reminder, Casey! It is easy to become discouraged as a writer, especially when you work so hard every day, by yourself, and without any immediate success. That is why I think writing conferences are the best thing out there for writers (and why I can't wait to attend BRMCWC next week!).
Tessa
www.christiswrite.blogspot.com
True words of wisdom, Casey! Encouraging others is so important in this business, because we do spend so much time alone at the keyboard. Thanks for reminding me to send an email I meant to send long before this!
Gratitude, appreciation and encouragement are all gifts we can share with each other!
I appreciate you!
Cheers,
Sue
Lovely thoughts, Case! For me, everyday I get to sit down and plunk out more story is a new adventure. So many possibilities! Where will the story take me tomorrow? :) a joy indeed!
Hello Jessie!
You are definitely NOT alone. I have submitted three or four times and have only gotten one formal rejection. Publishing is definitely a very discouraging business, but it also has many, many encouraging moments. We just have to look for them. :)
And NOW I am thankful I can connect with local writers in the Springs area, Jeanne. :)
Hello Tessa! I love writer's conferences for those exact same reasons too. I hope to someday be able to attend BRMCWC, but until then find Pepper and give her a hug for me! I am sure she will be there for a couple days. :-))
Hello Sue! Connecting with other writers is so very important in this business. I am so grateful for the Alley in this regard--I get to know great people like you!! :)
Amy, yes you definitely do have that kind of fun don't you? And your stories proves it!! :)
It's so easy to get discouraged when writing! I found that outlining is a great way to get over that slump. An outline is necessary because it helps you to create a step sheet of where exactly your book is going. I've heard writers say, "When I sit down to write a novel, I have a character in my mind and actually don't know what's going to happen."
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