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“Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.” ~ Barbara Kingsolver
Jack London said we can’t wait on inspiration. “You have to go after it with a club.” That’s why I often sit here in the dark with a big, fat club by my keyboard. No, but I had you going there for a second, huh?
Anne Lamott’s father taught her to write daily. “Even if you’re in a bad mood or if you’re a little sick, or you don’t know what you’re doing – especially if you don’t know what you’re doing,” she said. Geez, no more woe is me.
Finally, Stephen King, when asked how to write, answered simply, “One word at a time.” Good advice. Thanks, Stephen.
As these authors refocus my writing, I’m remembering to:
1. Write true to my heart. I have something say.
2. Write until I find inspiration instead of waiting for it.
3. Write routinely to develop my personal rhythm. This helps me learn to write through anything.
4. Start with just one word or thought, and build on it.
My plan is to post smaller chunks daily (or almost daily) instead of waiting for longer stretches of time to blog. Those longer stretches are hard to come by when you’re keeping an infant every day or dodging curve balls. Smaller posts are manageable. After all, the web is geared to shorter attention spans; people like succinct. I do, too. So in that sense, less is more. ♥
Tell me, which author’s advice hit home? Have you figured out what you need to be writing? I’d love to hear about it.
LOVE hearing your voice!
“Write true to your heart.“
Hi Karla! Thank you. I’ve only just begun. (sounds like a song..hehe)….Hugs!
One step at a time.
…one step at a time.
Number three is definitely the one for me. I tend to “frame” my writing around a certain concept or ideal and in the long run it comes out rather formulated and insincere. It takes time for me to find my flow through words and many times we only have small snatches of time to write in. This is where that journal is coming in handy. It is helping me to narrow down and say it ‘big’ without all the planning.
Hey Danielle, I love the journal idea. For some reason, I too easily forsake it when things get rough. I think you’re on to something, though. THanks so much!
Yes I meant ideal not idea in my comment
gotcha!
Vicki, I really needed to hear this today. My soul is pressed to write; yet, my heart is filled with caring for two of my granddaughters each day, besides the truth of physical pain.
I want to embrace the reality of “smaller chunks.” Thanks for a lovely, timely post.
Andrea
Andrea, I can really relate to what you’re facing. Hope the ‘smaller chunks’ idea helps. It overwhelms me if I have to write a long piece. Small posts are more manageable to me. Glad you stopped by! I’m coming right over:-)
Jack London said we can’t wait on inspiration. “You have to go after it with a club.” This verse and the others are great starting points to getting back the writing groove. You have inspired me to no end!
Hi Mrs. Mac! Thanks so much. Hope you’ll take that inspiration and go blogging again. Hugs!
Anne Lamott is an inspiration to me. Have you read her book “Bird by Bird: Some instructions on Writing and Life”. love it! Oh I think you just gave me a blog post subject…Love you! I’m happy to be on Facebook hiatus and back to blogging.
Hi Donna! I’m happy you’re back to blogging,too. I’ve long neglected mine. Yes, I read Lamott’s book awhile back and hear she has a new one out. Happy blogging, dear friend. Thanks for the visit.
Loving your posts…very encouraging♥
Thank you, Leti. You’ve always been my spiritual cheerleader ♥
I was so excited to drop in and find 2 more posts! You go girl!
Stephen King was the subject of my Freshman English Term Paper and I had SO much fun with it so Stephen’s “one word at a time” is my pick. So glad to see you taking his advice and inspiring us to do the same.
Tina
Thank you, T. That’s cool to know about Stephen King. His advice is so simple….and effective:-) Hugs!
1 & 4. the next paragraph inspired me more. writing in smaller chunks daily. applying 1 & 4.
Pia, writing in smaller chunks has been mostful helpful to me. Let me know how it goes for you!
So happy that you are writing once again Victoria! God given gifts should not be stilled nor silenced…So, let your words fly and may they soar to the heavens and bring joy to your Soul! Big hugs!
Thank you, Tricia. You have the heart of a true encourager! Hugs!
Hi Victoria, I was inspired by Ann Lamots because I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know how to spell, nor do I know grammar. I’m always so worried about how jumbled and out of order my writing is that I’m embarrassed to even try. But I love to share my thoughts and my life on paper ( or blog) even if no one cares to read it. I’v gone back and read past posts and have read my life story. Ever since face book. I’v neglected my blog and only put up simple pictures. I like short as well because time slips. I like all the inspiration. I have always written my most interesting things late at night when all I hear is tick tocking and snoring. I don’t know why I have three blogs and three paper journals though. Thanks again for sharing tips on writing. I look at it as a legacy in the making.
Love hearing from you, Jannette. I feel a connection with you. Let me encourage you to keep writing your thoughts and feelings. Let it flow at first, without any concern for spelling or grammar. Just get your heart on paper – all that other will smooth out. Writing at night is my favorite time, too:-) Keep writing – it IS a legacy in the making.♥
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