Two months ago I was instructed … well, kind of ordered (haha!) by my mentor to plan a day solely for writing. I had shared with her how anxious and frustrated I had become with trying to write, wanting to write and never having time to write. I know, I know … all writers complain about never having time to write. Same song lyrics, different beat. My reasons are I work full-time, I attend online graduate school full-time, and I actively serve in my church. By the time my feet hit my kitchen, I am not thinking of saying or writing another word. If I am thinking of writing, it’s how I wish I could write full-time as my bread and butter. That day is coming — Millionaire Writer status on the horizon.
So, until then, I heeded the wisdom of my mentor and scheduled a day with my laptop, my journals and the Holy Spirit to draft three chapters of my Christian-based, self-help book. I got through two and a half chapters. And that was not easy. Having nothing to focus on but my words on a blank Word doc caused a momentary shock and block that took me about 30 minutes to pass through. Once I moved past the obsession to be perfect and the fear of failing, I typed. I know it sounds dramatic … battling yourself is dramatic.
As writers, our work is tied to our egos in a way that many other lines of work are not, because our writing represents us and it comes from within. To a great extent, we often feel that our personal value is tied up in our ability to write things that others will read, accept, enjoy, and gladly pay us for, which can place us in a very vulnerable position emotionally. -Retrieved from Writer’s Notes – By Jeanne Dininni
To get over myself was a straining process … I needed a nap. Once awake I came to grips with my fears and allowed myself to translate that fear into fire — fuel to push forward and get my thoughts–un-eloquent and unsteady as they were–on the page. Suddenly, I was having idea after idea, line after line. The Holy Spirit is awesome!
After 18 hours dedicated to writing I was done. I didn’t edit. That is for another day. I intend to continue scheduling these Writing Stay-cations. It truly progressed me.
Tags: author, book, drafting, writing, writing process
love this!! glad you gotmotivated. wish i could lol…miss you and want to read it
Yes, I feel a wall came down. Great!