Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Skills That Can Transcend One Task


As a writer I use a number of techniques to help me stay focus and to motivate myself to keep working at the daunting task of finishing a book.

What I find interesting is that others use these same skills – say to lose weight or achieve a difficult task. Why I thought I was unique I don’t know.

Am I as good as others at these skills--probably not, but it drives home the point I have more to learn. Not only about writing, but positive self-talk, visualization of the dreams I want to achieve, letting go of bad junk and holding on to the good.

Here’s to achieving the dream and helping others achieve theirs.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Not one perfect draft, but many imperfect ones

From my evening's reading last night (boldface is mine):

Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers: More than One Draft: "Do you understand that writing a novel, memoir, screenplay involves not just writing one draft but many?...Get your ego out of the way. The more you are able to tolerate imperfection, the more quickly you can finish a draft and every draft makes the story better."

How true. As much as I think I "know" that the first, second, maybe even the final draft down the road won't be perfect, something in my head digs in its heels knowing I have to get words on the page imperfectly in order to make progress. I think this is why I did so well on NaNoWriMo in 2009 - I had permission to write a messy first draft.

I need to remember to give myself permission to write imperfectly on a daily basis or I'll never get anywhere. Just in case you need it: I give you permission, too.

Cross-posted at Mary's Ramble