Writers and Making Decisions

 

This quote has no name associated with it, but whoever said it is a wise person. Those of you who read my blog on a regular basis know that I have concluded many posts by saying something like 'it's up to you. or it's your decision.' 

In our writing world, we have lots of choices. Among them are:  Do I write fiction or non-fiction or stories for kids? Shall I use my real name or a pen name? Should I start with a novel? Or should I write short stories first? Can I write poetry without having studied it in college or a master's program? Do I want to emulate my favorite writers or be different? Should I submit to more than one publication at a time? Should I edit once and call it quits or keep editing? 

I could go on and on with the choices writers must make. The quote tells us that all kinds of other things in our life are not responsible for the decisions we make. I would add another thought. I do believe that we are responsible for all our decisions and choices, but some of those things listed--your parents, past relationships, jobs, the economy, or your age--enter into the choices you make. Your life experiences make you the person you are and help form the decisions you make. 

We do have many choices in our writing lives. Whether you are prone to a negative or a positive outlook makes a whale of a difference in the choices we make. 

When you are in decision mode, it helps to make two lists. One for the pluses and the other naming the minuses of whatever it is you are trying to decide. Don't just think about it, make an actual list., one you can read a number of times. Letting it flit through your mind and actually reading the list numerous times will make a big difference in the final choice you make. 

A friend might be able to help you, but in the end, making decisions or choices comes down to you and no one else. Once you've made up your mind, go with it. Don't berate yourself if the choice turns out to be a poor one. We don't all bat a thousand with our decisions. 

Writers Have Choices

Look at that. How great is it that Santa is helping Mrs. Santa Claus decorate their tree? Pretty nice of the jolly old guy when he has a long list of other things to do this month.

Like so many of us, I have a list of things that must be done before the 25th. I check them off as I accomplish the tasks and attend or host social events. The list is dwindling but not as fast as I'd like it to. Meanwhile, there are several publishers to whom I'd like to submit some stories. There are new stories swirling in my head and I don't have as much time to work on them right now.

There's one story that won't stop calling out to me. I think I must make some time to work on this one now, not in January or February. I know that I'm capable of making time for the things I want to do. I might have to give up a party invitation or going to see a Christmas show or make fewer cookies this year, but I can do that.

The other day, I received a call for more stories for a Chicken Soup book. It was sent to writers who had stories in previous Chicken Soup books. Most likely, the editors did not get enough of the type of story they wanted for the book. It was definitely a call for help and the topic is an interesting one. The big problem is that the deadline is December 12th. That doesn't give time to write a first draft, let it sit awhile, then revise and/or rewrite before sending it in. That goes against all my principles of writing. Those of you who read this blog regularly know how I feel about rushing a story you write.

But in this situation, I'm going to have to do it if I want to be able to send the editors a possible story for their book. That old saying Rules are meant to be broken. may apply here. I wouldn't want to do it on a regular basis though.

If you have an urge to write but are swamped with other things to do right now, take a step back and look carefully at your agenda. What can you give up? What can you do without? Each one of us has to make the decision to create some writing time or scratch your writing totally this month and devote yourself to family and friends and celebrating your holidays to the fullest. There is no right or wrong. Do what feels right to you.

Choices In Your Writing Life

We have choices to make in our writing life. They they are looming in front of us, all lined up like ducks in a shooting gallery. It's up to us to decide. 

Should we pick one kind of writing and stay with it? Or should we branch out and try various things? If I've written four novels, should I suddenly veer off into the world of non-ficiton? Or should I attempt to write poetry? Or memoir? That's one of the nicest parts of being a writer. We don't have to stay on one path unless we're totally happy with writing in only one area. 

It's a personal thing. No two people are going to look at the choices in the same way. All the things that make you a unique individual come into play here. What's right for Writer A may be a horrendous choice for Writer B. So, don't measure yourself by what other writers have decided to do. Do what's right for you.

You have other choices to make in your writing life. Do you want to be published or write only for yourself and perhaps your family and close friends? Do you want to aim for the small markets or shoot for the big ones? 

Many areas of writing offer us many choices. I ran across a good quote recently which fits quite well in deciding what you want in your writing life. It said Everyone has 3 choices in life: give up, give in, or give it your all. Which one will you choose?