Three Traits Writers Need

 

Today's poster quote spells out the advice pretty plainly. Whether you're a writer, an artist, a sculptor or a football player, you don't reach the top in a hurry. It takes patience and perseverance. A whole lot of both those traits.

When you first started writing, you had dreams of being a successful writer, one who earned money for the words you put together day after day. To attain those dreams, you need to begin by setting some goals. Then, you must work toward those goals a little at a time. You won't get there in leaps and bounds but by small steps. 

Taking those many small steps fosters frustration at times. You climb a staircase one step at a time, and that's the same way you must climb in your writing journey. You can't skip learning about your craft. You can't overlook the advice received from friends or critique groups. You can't write a 500-page novel until you master the 2500 word short story. You won't be very successful if you don't keep up with the trends in the writing world. 

You must also persevere with all those steps. Each step brings you a little closer to the top. The depth of your passion for writing is important to your ability to persevere when things aren't going as you'd hoped. Remember those old punching bags for kids made in the form of a clown or some other personality? You hit it, and it went down but popped right back up. No matter how many times, the clown went down, he came back. That's how you, the writer, must be. 

The writers who give up are ones who don't have enough of the patience, perseverance, and passion in their tool kit. Do you have those traits as soon as you decide you'd like to be a writer? Of course not. You must develop them a little at a time just as you climb those steps to be a successful writer.

I write these words of encouragement as much for myself as for you. We're all in this writing game together. Every one of us needs 'patience, perseverance, and passion' as we move step by step on our writing journey.

4 Keys to Opening Your Writing World

 

I heard a children's sermon yesterday that talked about the keys to Heaven, and as I listened, my thoughts turned to the keys in our writing world. 

What are the keys that open up our writing world? There are several. No one key will work. You will need a set of keys to do so. 

Key #1:  You'll need a set of writing tools which includes a great many items. One is knowledge of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. No matter how great your story is, if you don't do well with these three bits of help, you'll never see your work published. Another is knowing how to use sensory details. Being able to write with emotion so that the reader feels the same is a most helpful tool. The art of good, and not overdone, description is another. This set of tools is the mechanical part of your writing world.

Key #2:  Patience. I wrote a blog post very recently about the patience a writer needs to find success. It's the ones who are not willing to take the time to write on a daily basis, to practice writing with exercises, and who get frustrated at having to wait for an answer to a submission who give up and walk away. Often far too soon. Making it in the writing world takes more time than non-writers would ever realize. 

Key #3:  Perseverance. This goes hand in hand with #2. It's difficult to have one without the other. Giving up too soon is all too common. If you want to be a writer, you must work diligently for a very long time. When those rejections knock you down, you need to stand up and start all over again.

Key #4:  Passion. Namby-pamby writers aren't going to get very far. Writers need to have a passion for writing. If you've heard the expression "Write from the heart," there's wisdom in those words. We have to be able to feel the desire to write. I know writers, including myself, who say "I can't not write!" 

Connect With Other Writers

The photo above has nothing to do with today's topic. In these cold, often dreary, January days, we can use something to cheer us a bit. Those delicate peach roses give me hope that spring will come once again. 

I've recently joined an online group for women writers. This one is different from my main critiquing group. It's more of a place for women in mid-life and older to connect with one another. It started with an invitation through a newsletter. Those who opted to sign on were asked to introduce themselves, give a short bio and tell the others what they wanted from the group. The big question was Why did you join this group?

When I read the answers, the keyword seemed to be connect. These women wanted someone in their own age group to link their writing lives, to chat, to commiserate, to ask for help when stuck on a project and more. Mid-life women responded but so did a few seniors like me. We were warmly welcomed.

Many nonwriters think of writing as a solitary pursuit. When we're at the computer, or with pad and pen, it is a one-person activity. We can spend hours per day all alone with our thoughts and words and getting them into a readable form. Maybe that's why it is also important for writers to unite with other writers. 

Isn't it nice to ask another writer for an opinion on what you/ve written, or how you plan to approach an editor or ways to promote your just-published book? Isn't it nice to cry on the shoulder of another writer when things are going every which way but right? That old cliche 'misery loves company' can apply in this case. 

There are some writers who say they'd like to connect with other writers, but they aren't very good in social situations. I hear things like I only listen when I'm in a group of writers. I don't feel like I have anything to offer other writers. I'm a shy person. We're not all chatty people. In an online group, it might be easier to offer an opinion. Even physically speaking, it is easier to participate in a group online rather than driving some distance to gather at a time convenient for all, perhaps to arrange for another parent to pick kids up from school and more. 

There has been a lot of activity in this new group, but I think that will slow down once everyone has introduced themself and given their reasons for joining. This week, we were given a prompt, and I noticed that only a handful responded to that. I'm fine with that, as I don't want my inbox overwhelmed with messages from one group

As time goes on, I can assess what I am receiving and what I'm offering. Many years ago, I was the moderator of a group of people who wanted to write for children. It started out fine, but it ended up that I was almost the only one bringing something to read to the group and helping them find places to learn more about writing for children. I never mind giving to others, but when I am getting nothing in return, it didn't sit well. The group dissolved which was too bad as there were people in it who had the potential to write publishable children's books, stories or articles.

I do urge you to connect with other writers in a face to face critique group, an online group, or a local, state or national organization for writers. If you feel you are not benefiting, it's quite easy to step aside. I do hope you won't because there are definite benefits to connecting with other writers.

Fuel For The Writer

 We all know that our car, or truck, does not run without fuel. Nor does our body thrive without food. We need to feed both vehicles and bodies on a regular basis. We pay strict attention to both. We would not think of setting out on a trip without fuel in the car or food in our tummies. 

So, why would you start a new writing project without fuel of some sort to feed your writing spirit? Look at the words in red in the next paragraphs to learn what we can use as fuel for writers. 

Consider inspiration as high octane or fine nutrition. To practice good writing, we do need to be inspired. Ever gone to a conference, attended several workshops, and come home eager to write? It's one of the best ways to get inspired that I know.

Visit with another writer who is having some success. Sit across the table at the coffee shop and listen to his/her enthusiasm. Feel your adrenalin kicking in? Sometimes, it happens.

Read a good book on the craft of writing, filled with exercises that get your writing juices flowing. 

Find story ideas wherever you go. There are dozens in front of us every day. The trick is to train yourself to observe with your writer's eye. A few evenings ago, my husband and I walked over to the main building at our senior living complex to have a drink and dinner. In the space of exactly 3 minutes, I saw 3 story ideas. Golden nuggets to feed my writing spirit. I jotted a few notes when we got home so I wouldn't let the moment slip by. 

Online classes are also fuel for our writing spirit. There are myriad choices that you can find on your favorite search engine. Of course, they are not all of equal quality but study the selections, write and ask questions of the moderator/instructor and make a choice. 

Fuel for the truck, food for the body and the same for your writing spirit. Stock up soon!