Love this! Sometimes I think we don't write even when we really want to because we lack clarity and urgency. For those who aren't writing to support their families, there isn't the same urgency. And sometimes our ideas are so broad, so general, that we aren't sure what to work on next. But I loved the writing routine!
Yes Coach, I can see the finish line. My book will be finished by the end of this year! Our Tuesday Writing Class has also helped me continue to grow as a writer. My cohorts give me feedback, and I depend on our little writing community for encouragement. But writing on Substack for a year has had a huge impact on my writing, and for that I am thankful. I believe posting weekly will help your writing, and keep you inspired. Period.
I have a confession to make. I think I have more than just a touch of ADD when it comes to writing. I'll start writing a story (literally, by hand, with my favorite fountain pen), then soon I have an idea for another book. I'll write down some ideas, and the next thing I know, I'm working on that second story while the first one falls by the wayside. Then a third...a fourth...a fifth...and none get finished. How I've managed to get 12 books indie-published like that is a mystery to me. I have so many book projects started that I have enough to keep busy for quite some time; it's just a matter of picking one to finish. I love to write; I just can't seem to keep my attention on one manuscript at a time. I think it may have started when I read about one or more authors who will have 3, 4, maybe even 5 projects going at once. I tried it, and it didn't really work for me, but now none of them are getting done.
At 5,000 words a day, how many times (if any) have you participated in NaNoWriMo?
I also have a meme saved to my phone with a Ray Bradbury quote: "Write one short story per week for one year. It's impossible to write 52 bad short stories in a row." What are your thoughts on that?
I love the one story per week idea and it makes sense. I have not heard of NaNoWriMo, but I’ll check it out. I can identify with you and it’s probably why I’ve landed in this ghostwriting career. I’m usually writing 5-10 books at a time. Never a chance to get board!
This is gold! Thank you! Thank you! I'm struggling right now with family matters. Daughter just coming off a 3 year fentanyl addiction and just had a baby. We are struggling to keep up with evenmeals, laundry and dishes. I've struggled to write anything the last few months. I think with women it is harder because men can just write like it's their job but it's hard to set aside the family. I understand men have to do that too. But not to the same extent. I find this concept and the practice ideas very helpful. I often need to be inspired. And often inspiration comes from writing. I was part of an online group where your pieces had to be 1200 words or less to be posted. It really helpede tighten up my writing--taking out superflous details and extra words that werent contributing a lot. That was a great lesson for me.
Saving this to read again and going to take up a couple of these practice sessions. I have a book to finish!
Awesome! Let me know how the exercises go. Praying for you in this season—for God’s help with family stuff, and for His inspiration and motivation to put pen to paper!
This is wonderful Jeff, thank you. It caused me to ask myself why am I not obsessing about writing what God has called me to do. I feast on His word minimum 3 hours each day to know Him more. This is His story for His glory and I want to get out of His way. The second part of this my Why. Your why made me think. I have always known my why , but you caused me to get very clear. My children are starving, not financially, but they do not know the Lord. I desire to have this book written before I see Jesus face to face. Thank you Jeff for this has brought much needed clarity. Blessings
Good stuff (but I skipped your bulleted list that reminded me of the “practice record” I used to give to my band students for their parent to sign).
Writing is not program music. Don’t let your sonata form outline (for SEO) ruin the melody or keep you from some dissonance driving your reader to the climax .
Thanks for your providential direction. Grace and peace.
Love this! Sometimes I think we don't write even when we really want to because we lack clarity and urgency. For those who aren't writing to support their families, there isn't the same urgency. And sometimes our ideas are so broad, so general, that we aren't sure what to work on next. But I loved the writing routine!
Yes Coach, I can see the finish line. My book will be finished by the end of this year! Our Tuesday Writing Class has also helped me continue to grow as a writer. My cohorts give me feedback, and I depend on our little writing community for encouragement. But writing on Substack for a year has had a huge impact on my writing, and for that I am thankful. I believe posting weekly will help your writing, and keep you inspired. Period.
I have a confession to make. I think I have more than just a touch of ADD when it comes to writing. I'll start writing a story (literally, by hand, with my favorite fountain pen), then soon I have an idea for another book. I'll write down some ideas, and the next thing I know, I'm working on that second story while the first one falls by the wayside. Then a third...a fourth...a fifth...and none get finished. How I've managed to get 12 books indie-published like that is a mystery to me. I have so many book projects started that I have enough to keep busy for quite some time; it's just a matter of picking one to finish. I love to write; I just can't seem to keep my attention on one manuscript at a time. I think it may have started when I read about one or more authors who will have 3, 4, maybe even 5 projects going at once. I tried it, and it didn't really work for me, but now none of them are getting done.
At 5,000 words a day, how many times (if any) have you participated in NaNoWriMo?
I also have a meme saved to my phone with a Ray Bradbury quote: "Write one short story per week for one year. It's impossible to write 52 bad short stories in a row." What are your thoughts on that?
I love the one story per week idea and it makes sense. I have not heard of NaNoWriMo, but I’ll check it out. I can identify with you and it’s probably why I’ve landed in this ghostwriting career. I’m usually writing 5-10 books at a time. Never a chance to get board!
This is gold! Thank you! Thank you! I'm struggling right now with family matters. Daughter just coming off a 3 year fentanyl addiction and just had a baby. We are struggling to keep up with evenmeals, laundry and dishes. I've struggled to write anything the last few months. I think with women it is harder because men can just write like it's their job but it's hard to set aside the family. I understand men have to do that too. But not to the same extent. I find this concept and the practice ideas very helpful. I often need to be inspired. And often inspiration comes from writing. I was part of an online group where your pieces had to be 1200 words or less to be posted. It really helpede tighten up my writing--taking out superflous details and extra words that werent contributing a lot. That was a great lesson for me.
Saving this to read again and going to take up a couple of these practice sessions. I have a book to finish!
Awesome! Let me know how the exercises go. Praying for you in this season—for God’s help with family stuff, and for His inspiration and motivation to put pen to paper!
Thank you! Prayers appreciated!
This is wonderful Jeff, thank you. It caused me to ask myself why am I not obsessing about writing what God has called me to do. I feast on His word minimum 3 hours each day to know Him more. This is His story for His glory and I want to get out of His way. The second part of this my Why. Your why made me think. I have always known my why , but you caused me to get very clear. My children are starving, not financially, but they do not know the Lord. I desire to have this book written before I see Jesus face to face. Thank you Jeff for this has brought much needed clarity. Blessings
I’m so glad, Lisa!
Good stuff (but I skipped your bulleted list that reminded me of the “practice record” I used to give to my band students for their parent to sign).
Writing is not program music. Don’t let your sonata form outline (for SEO) ruin the melody or keep you from some dissonance driving your reader to the climax .
Thanks for your providential direction. Grace and peace.
I love that!