Why Do You Write?
Writing is a joy for many people; a way to express their views on many things, writing allows them this gift of expression and hope. Mentally it is a thing that people use to define the events and people who matter to them.
Why Do Writers Write?
Once an individual starts writing, its almost impossible for him/her to stop. Writing becomes a person’s passion, joy and compulsion. A serious writer writes at the bus stop, in the dentist’s office, in cafe‚’s, as well as on beaches, in lonely woods, at his computer, and sometimes even in bed. Some writers begin as hobbyists or recreational writers, jotting down ideas after work or on the weekends when they have a free hour. They may find themselves spending more and more time at the writing venture until they think about it most of the day.
Writing about what we care about
It is always best for writers to write about what they are passionate about. If something really matters to you, you should write about that because you will have the most likelihood to have the manuscript written. Otherwise, writers who don’t have a passion about what they are writing have a tendency to let such ariticles, blogs, or manuscripts fall by the wayside before completing them.
Voice is not Style of Writing
Over the years, I have discovered that voice is not the same as writing style. I have also blogged here about the importance of discovering your writing style. This should provide you quite a few hints about how you can write at your most optimal.
Setting Goals for 2010
Every year around this time, I start thinking about my goals and priorities for 2010 in all parts of my life. Since this blog is devoted mostly to writing, I will share my writing goals for 2010 below. Before I do that though I want to focus on why it is important to set goals and to express and share what these are to someone else and not just keep them to yourself.
For a long time, psychologists have said that the practise of writing down your goals on paper and having them visible so that you could refer to them often can really help you to accomplish them. Apparently, this visual representation of your goals helps remind you that these are things that you said that you would accomplish.
New Year’s Presents A Renewal Weekend For Writers
For many the New Year is a time when people “reconnect” with themselves: spiritually, mentally, or physically. They overlook one valuable place. Often, if they multi-task they forget that they also need to renew themselves in one critical area, in this case their work, especially in the case of writers. For many writers, there is no such thing as a holiday or time off. Writers can be critical of taking such time since often it is the only type of way to make or keep money. A time of renewal, however is vital. The New Year is the perfect time in which to renew.
Writing Patterns
There are two kinds of writing patterns that all writers engage in. Patterns that work and patterns that don’t work. Writers seem to develop patterns without thinking and some of these patterns are less than productive for us, especially over time. Developing writing patterns is usually helpful. Writing patterns can help save time and to become more efficient. But not in all cases.
Writers Holding Back Time?
Can writers hold back time? Can writers bring a time long since passed from life? A simplistic answer is a resounding yes, but this answer lacks some power, as there are many non-fiction writers who do not write with an ease that makes a reader long to continue reading their work. Some are more popular now, however their time is fleeting, and others who were never popular in their own lifetimes, yet they are considered masters of a craft that is unforgiving at best.
Having Faith in Your Writing is Like Having Faith in God
If you write a book, you are going to be monk-like sequestered, but the comparison goes deeper than just the physicality the two endeavours share. Faith means not worrying. That is what can be called a fearless, focussed writer. If you write, at some point, you give yourself over to the process. You let the book write you.
Negative Self-Talk and Writing
In order to develop a healthy and enjoyable writing life, we must all learn to curb our habit of negative self-talk before, during and after our writing sessions. Negative self-talk is all of those negative things that we tell ourselves over and over. Negative self-talk can create a lack of confidence and lead to procrastination, or even writer’s block.
Developing Habits of the Mind As A Writer
Developing habits of the mind as a writer can mean the difference between getting the writing we set out to do done or not. Habits of the mind are central to overcoming endless distractions and what could become a habit of procrastinating that can produce a bout of writer’s block.
Writing Requires Discipline
I was reminded of how writing requires discipline by one of my writing friends who called me the other day and was complaining that she hasn’t written anything for weeks because she was too busy to simply sit down and write. She was the inspiration for this blog because I think that so many writers are in this boat. We feel pressured to do so many different things in a day, but usually writing isn’t one of them. And that is okay unless you consider yourself to be a writer.
