For someone who claims to love writing, I sure can find every excuse NOT to write. Here I am… on a dedicated writing retreat. A clean house, with big inviting windows, open wide to the creativity. The quiet that only a place away from home can provide; with no chores, no dishes, no laundry, no pets… only the sun streaming in and the trees waving their wishes to the wind. The house hums… hums with electricity, heating and… potential.
That’s it. Potential.
I make a coffee. For once, with no rush of the day, no next thing, no must be on time. I’m able to stir. Listen to the tin, tin as the metal spoon strikes and scrapes the sides to lift and mix my sugar, like I’m mixing my thoughts.
Starting, for me, is sometimes the hardest part.
Then… it’s about sticking to it and meeting my potential. That word again. Potential.
After a week away, dedicated to drafting, I need to find the fortitude to continue. This post is a pep talk for my writerly self. I hope you will find a nugget to polish into a gem.
It all started with this ‘Writing Mantras’ Instagram post by Carly Watters.
“I BELIEVE I AM THE BEST PERSON TO TELL THIS STORY
NO ONE CAN WRITE THIS STORY BUT ME
PROFESSIONAL WRITERS DON’T WAIT FOR INSPIRATION TO STRIKE, THEY GET IT DONE
THE ONLY WAY TO WRITE THIS DRAFT IS TO KEEP WRITING
I WANT THIS DRAFT MORE THAN I WANT OTHER THINGS
IF I GIVE UP I CAN’T FINISH”
These words spurred me to design a plan for success, because this novel wasn’t going to write itself.
(Pssst… If you don’t follow Carly Watters, you should)
Tips for Starting and Continuing to Write
- 1) Find Your ‘WHY’
Why do you write? Are you getting a story down for the next generation? Are you setting a goal for a self-publication date? Do you imagine being traditionally published and throwing a book launch party to share the characters you love with the world? Are you aiming for a writing contest? Have you started NaNoWriMo?
Do you need a spark, a dream, a goal to grab onto when the words are slow?
What is your WHY?
If you haven’t heard Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk, I encourage you to ponder his words and then think about your why. Why not say it out loud? Create a dream board for your writing space.
- 2) Go to your MUSE
Be it a podcast, or a great ‘how to’ book, or a walk in the woods to brainstorm, find what inspires your voice. As a child, my best friend and I were horse crazy and yet, even then, as much as we loved the scent of the barn, the velvet muzzle snuggles, and horses puffing out clouds into the frosty air, getting ourselves from the toasty house and out into the cold was a battle. Once in the barn, we always remembered. But at times it took a good horse movie, like ‘The Man from Snowy River’, to motivate us to tromp to the barn and saddle up our mounts. The same works with writing. Find your push. Know what gets you inspired. Dream big and go bigger. I promise, once the words are saddled, you will remember how much you love them.
- 3) Book a WRITING DATE
Put it in your calendar!
Look ahead at your week to find the cracks, the glimmers of time when you will allow yourself to block out the world and focus on your writing. It doesn’t need to be fancy. It can be in your car waiting for the hockey game to begin or while your kids are doing their homework. Explore different times of the day to find your groove. Are you an early morning creative or do your best words flow after dark?
Schedule the time like a medical appointment.
Set reminders and an alarm.
Prepare for it. Be on time, and dive right into your pages.
- 4) JOIN Other WRITERS
There are numerous writing organizations that gather for dedicated writing time in various forms. Listed below are only a few.
* The Muskoka Novel Marathon – happening in July of this year. Take pledges to raise money to support adult literacy programs and then gather with 30 other writers to write as much as you can over a weekend while they feed you!
*Book a writing retreat – a quick google search will aid in your planning. Go on a writerly cruise, hide at a resort, or book a short-term rental with other writers for an informal retreat. (I highly recommend The Modern Schoolhouse in Pinkerton, Ontario.)
*Show up for organized ‘WRITE INs’ – many different groups gather to write in person and virtually. You can join the #5amwritersclub, or the Women’s Fiction Writers Association or the Toronto Romance Writers Association and partake in their scheduled ‘WRITE INs’. Having other writers there to encourage you and keep you accountable is invaluable.
*Find and nurture a writing group – The Shit No One Tells You About Writing has periodic calls for writers who would like to join critique and beta reading groups. Join and then you have a group and deadlines to keep you accountable. (pssst… there is a beta reader match up open until the end of March 2024)
- 5) Guard your WRITERLY ROUTINE
Before you know it, this writing time you have carved out will be sacred. Your words will be adding up and you’ll feel strong enough to protect and advocate for that time.
You deserve the time to write. Guard it and reward yourself when you make it happen.
And finally…
Just Start – get your butt in the chair.
You have so much POTENTIAL.
I promise, you will remember how much you love it, so get back in the saddle and go for it!
