Hope for Writers
I want to talk about a topic that is vital to grasp hold of as a writer at any stage of your career.
This is a good point at which to consider Hope …as the United States has a new President and as the United Kingdom rolls out its vaccination program on a large scale. Both countries are up against the Covid enemy and daily life is unrecognisable to many.
What Are Writers Hoping For?
Every time you sit down to write, you are exercising your Hope. Think about these actions:
- a brand new idea being gently explored
- a project written, ready for market
- a competition entered
- a submission emailed or posted out
- a course being studied seriously
- a book completed, for leisure or business
- more ideas and entries stored in your notebook
- themes explored
- a new genre tried
- research started – settings, history, present day, geographical location explored (current Covid restrictions limit this but there’s always the Internet)
All these actions are in the past tense, as highlighted. They are not fleeting ideas; they are ongoing and completed projects.
Routine Is Important
When you have free time, use if for your writing. Get used to setting a period of time aside to write. Have a space that is dedicated to writing. Go there. Show up (an overworked but vital phrase).
Always carry your writing notebook or get used to making notes on your mobile phone. (I use Microsoft OneNote – not an affiliate link).
These are great days to be writing – software and the Internet synchronise our work, storing it online and on our phones, tablets and laptops. Emulate your grandchildren as they home school – see how many ways they use to connect with their work and their teachers.
A line added to your current Work-In-Progress (WIP) is better than not writing today. Why? Because you cannot allow your Inner Critic room to roam around your mind.
Instead of thinking, “I’m useless at my writing!”
Think: “I can write today!”
