If a Writer Waits Too Long...

 

Today's photo poster is one that's pleasing to the eye. It also has a valuable piece of advice. It could be used in many parts of our lives, but since this is a blog for writers, I'm going to narrow it down to that group.

Writers often have good intentions as to what they plan to do while on their writing journey. Special stories that are swirling in their heads that they want to write. Conferences they want to attend. A poem about a sight they witnessed--they are going to write it. Soon. Maybe. Someday. 

We plan to write our goals for 2023. We want to finish some stories that only need a bit of polishing before submitting for publication. We are going to clean out our files. And the top of our desk. This is the year we will write those family stories told around the holiday dinner table.

Yes, we all have plans for our writing life. Too often, they get put on hold. The intention is good, but the action might not be. Why? 

Some writers, like some non-writers, are career procrastinators. If a writer starts putting things off, it becomes easier and easier to continue in the same vein. The longer we avoid some action on our intentions, they begin to fade until suddenly we don't even think about them anymore. That is a sad state of affairs.

The list of things writers have not gotten around to grows and grows. When that happens, the writer truly feels defeated. She/he might even give up. A good story idea might float away, never to be found again.

Lists are good aids. Make a list of what you want to get done in your writing life. Go through it agan and put a star by the most important ones. Those are the tasks you should work on first. When you complete one, draw a line through it, or put DONE n caps next to it. Seeing those stars or DONE should give you a sense of accomplishment and spur you onward. 

I'm well aware, and you are, too, that other parts of our life often throw a monkey wrench into our writing plans. Deal with what you must, then get back to your writing world.

What about the writer who writes short stories, personal essays, and a few poems, but he/she has a deep desire to write a full-length novel? Someday. The longer you wait, the older you'll be. Just like our poste says. Why wait?

Fear that you might not be able to accomplish writing an entire book is one reason that writers hold off. You'll never know unless you try. You don't have to write an entire book in a week or a month. Give yourself time. You've waited this long, you have no real deadline, so take it slowly. 

There are writers who have files filled with stories, essays, articles or poems they've written but never had the courage to submit to an editor. Why wait? You'll never know what response you might get unless you start submitting. It doesn't have to be scary. Either it works or it doesn't, and if it doesn't, you keep trying. 

If you're a writer who waits on many parts of your craft, heed what the poster says:  If you wait, all that happens is you get older.