Friday, November 4, 2016

A Big Waste of Time



Writers tend to be worriers. True or false? I think that a majority of writers are worriers. So, what do they worry about?  

Writers worry about: 
  • never getting published
  • the length of time it takes to hear from an editor
  • the quality of writing they produce
  • whether or not their writing shows improvement as time moves on
  • whether they can write a full novel
  • being a so-so poet
  • meeting deadlines
  • finding time to write
  • continuing to find story ideas
  • word count
  • whether to submit to no-pay places
  • self-publishing
  • marketing their writing
  • book signings
  • having the means to go to writing conference
  • putting too many cliches into a story
  • getting just the right amount of sensory details
  • the grammar and spelling parts of writing
  • having a suitable vocabulary
  • and more and more and more!
Yes, there are lots of things we writers could worry about, but as today's poster tells us, it is one of our biggest wastes of time. Nothing changes because we worry. All it does is give us a headache or a tummy ache, makes us think bizarre things and labels us as Grumpy Gertie or Growly George. 

When you meet one of the things in the list above, stop and ask yourself Is this really worth worrying about? Most of the time, the answer should be a resounding No! Then ask Will my worry change the problem? 

Next, consider the alternative to the worrying part. What can you do to keep from worrying or to change whatever it is. Usually, we can tell ourselves to do our best and move on. We'll fare much better and be a happier, more positive person. 

If you're in the 'Worries a Lot' group, you aren't going to change overnight. Like most things, we need to work at it a little at a time. Inches turn into feet, feet into yards, yards into miles. Eventually, you'll reach your destination. 

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