Constantly Digging--A Disciplined Writer

19 August 2015

"In the final analysis there is no one who can make you write but you. Writers are self-made. Make it a rule to spend at least two consecutive hours in actual writing time every day."
- Lee Wyndham, Writing for Children & Teenagers

The first step to becoming a writer is discipline. You have to find time to devote to writing, preferably every day. As you write, you become a better writer, your ideas become clearer, and you are better at knowing what to cut and what to save. Practice makes the writer, not necessarily God-given talent, brilliant plot ideas, or masterful understanding of the English language.

And, yes, thinking about what you are writing or going to write counts.

Start off with small projects; a short story, a children's book idea, or an article that you can submit to a local magazine or paper--maybe even a blog of your own making. But start with small works that you can craft your logic, define your audience and tone, and tweak and edit until it is ready for submission.

Then, jump to the next idea and write more! Never let your writing habit go stagnant. Have the discipline to keep writing. Just write.

A friend of mine worked really hard to write every day, crafting a novel. Even when she was stumped or had writer's block, she already had the habit of writing daily and had the discipline to keep it up. She'd write funny little stories to amuse herself or her family. She'd write a rant against the injustice of slugs in her garden. She'd test out a new voice, new pace, or new angle.

The point is that my friend had the discipline of a great writer because she kept writing, even if it wasn't always working on her "masterpiece."

As Lee Wyndham suggests, consider your time writing as an apprenticeship. Give yourself the dedicated time that you need to learn the trade. Don't let yourself come up with excuses*; just keep writing. Great novels and short stories have been written by before the 9 to 5 job, between child care and housekeeping, in jails and in late-night dorm rooms.

Find the time.

Find the inspiration.

Find the writer's voice in you.

*One of my favorite quotes is: "Excuses are like diapers. Every baby has one and they are full of the same stuff." Don't let a load of poo distract you from writing.

Sandboxes and Sand Castles

15 August 2015

“I'm writing a first draft and reminding myself that I'm simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles.”
― Shannon Hale

Like young adult author and award winning Shannon Hale writes, words are the building blocks to creating castles in the sky, in the water, in the mind. But the words must each be purposeful, intentional, and fitted to the work.

In this blog, I intend to help you create sand castles in your own backyard sandbox, giving you tips on each stage of writing, especially in your editing process. For your initial writing, I can only give you some guidance, because dictating word shoveling is only counter-productive.

But, when your ideas have come together, look here for ways to sift your thoughts, solidify your logic, and cement your writing style.

And with that, let's begin!