15 Habits of Great Writers: Practice

"Real writers practice. They show up, every day, without excuse or complaint (okay maybe some complaint). This is the work of a professional.

I’m not talking about rehearsal. I’m talking about doing what musicians and boxers and lion tamers all do in order to get ready for their work. To become awesome at their crafts.

They practice in public

In other words, they perform. They go to work. Get stuff done. They stop stalling and playing around and actually do the stuff."  ~ Jeff Goins

So into the lion's den I go!  This weekend I am attending the New Jersey SCBWI conference in Princeton, NJ.  I guess its time to "practice in public".

How do I plan to "practice" at the conference?

One of the awesome "perks" of the NJ conference is that we get a chance to sit with agents and editors during lunch and therefore are given the opportunity to actually pitch our work. 

Up until right at this moment, I was thinking that I would simply chat with the agents and editors but not actively pitch anything.  I guess I was thinking that none of my stuff is truly ready to be pitched. 

BUT...

I am going to practice in public.

Ugh....now to brush up on how to successfully write a pitch.  I wonder why my hands just starting shaking...

Anyway, pointers on pitching would be great!

How are you going to "practice in public" this weekend?  Share your comments...and advice for me below! 

Happy Writing!

15 Habits of Great Writers: Initiate

To initiate means to "take the first step".  It is included in the "15 Habits" because this is something that needs to be done daily, not just once.  Writers need to take the first step every single day.

When I think of this concept of "taking the first step daily", I think of my marathon training.

Can I run 26.2 miles today?  No.  But I followed my training schedule and ran for 30 minutes at an easy pace.  Tomorrow I will run the scheduled 40-50 minutes.  And I know that if I follow my training schedule daily, on November 4th I will run 26.2 miles.  However, focusing on doing a little bit each day helps me not get discouraged and overwhelmed.

As for my writing today, I commit to blogging about "15 Habits of Great Writers" and to spend at least one hour this afternoon working on one of my manuscripts. 

Today I encourage everyone to take that first step.  Don't get overwhelmed.  Do what you can with what you have today.  And then tomorrow, do the same.  Promise yourself to do what you can each day in regards to your writing. 

Happy Writing!

15 Habits of Great Writers: Believe

"Some will win, some will lose.  Some were born to sing the blues.  Oh, the movie never ends.  It goes on and on and on and on!"

~ Journey

How appropriate that such a song about believing in yourself was written and performed by a group called Journey.  It is a journey.  And it does require "scary hope" (as referenced in Jeff Goins' blog today).

On my personal journey as a writer I often have to remind myself of why I started this journey to begin with. 

For years, perhaps even decades, I had often felt strongly that there was a book in me...or two or three.  I would fantasize about book signings and opening up a box of books that I had written.  The problem was that I was not quite sure what that book would be about or what genre I was supposed to write.  But there was a deep longing inside me to be a writer.

In fact, I had many people come up to me throughout my life and say, "You should write a book!"  And my reaction was always, "About what?"  It was frustrating...but not to be ignored.

The point is, I was not a writer, yet...but I believed that I was supposed to be!  I held on to this dream inside me, knowing that someday I would know what to do if I continued to seek.  I had to trust myself...

It was this belief in myself and my desire that finally propelled me into the children's picture book world!  One night, a manuscript just happened.  Suddenly all of the pieces made sense.  The final piece of the puzzle was in place.

 It was time to put the belief into action and strat the journey.

Now somedays I falter and I question my dream.  But when I reconnect with that initial desire, longing and belief, I have what I need to move on.

"Don't stop believin'!  Hold on to that feeling!"

Happy Writing!

15 Habits of Great Writers: Declare

Back in September, I set up this blog to coincide with the school year.  I gave myself the 10 months of the traditional school calendar to start new habits and routines and better myself as a writer.  So...if September was the beginning, June marks Finals Time!!

Therefore, I am participating in yet another online challenge as a Final Exam of sorts.

Writer Jeff Goins is running a special series on his website for the next 15 days (Mon-Fri) which focuses on the 15 habits of Great Writers.  As my Final Exam I will be participating in this challenge AND blog about it each day!  Want to join in on the fun?  Follow the link and share your challenge in the comments.

Today's Habit:  DECLARE

I am a writer.  I am a writer.  I AM a writer.

I often don't feel like a writer.  But I am. 

I am a writer because...

1. I write.
2. I have folders and folders of stories that I wrote...and some aren't that bad.  :)
3. Ideas pop into my head that beg to be written.
4. I enjoy telling stories.
5. I feel guilty/empty/like something is missing when I don't write.
6. I proofread everything that I see...especially signs on the street and subway.
7. If I lost any of the stories on my computer I would be devastated.  (Backing up is soooo important!)
8. I am on a constant quest for inspiration.
9. I have fantasies about book signings, school visits, etc.
10. I love getting critiques of my work, in the hopes that it will help me improve!

What about you?  Are you a writer?  How do you know?  Share your comments below and come back tomorrow for the next habit.

Wednesday Writers Weigh In: The Work of Maurice Sendak

Last night I am sure hundreds of thousands of bedtimes were started with the profound words:

"The night that Max wore his wolf-suit and made mischief

of one kind
and another

his mother called him 'WILD THING!'

and Max said “I’LL EAT YOU UP!”

so he was sent to bed without eating anything."

 

And anyone would have been hard pressed yesterday to avoid countless reflections on the work of Maurice Sendak on the internet, television and radio.  In fact, NPR dedicated it's whole day of programming to Sendak.

In writing classes, symposiums, journals and conferences around the world Sendak is hailed as a genius.  "Where the Wild Things Are" is often called the perfect picture book.

Most of us will never see such success or impact in the world of literature.  If I get read in one stranger's house at bedtime I would be honored.  So it brings me to today's Weigh In.

Its no surprise that he is being mourned throughout the world in various communities by children and adults alike.  But why?  He was gruff, outspoken, and often polarizing.

So...from a writer's perspective, what is your reflection on Maurice Sendak and his work? 

Rest in peace, Mr. Sendak.  I pray that in the end you found the peace which alluded you so much in life.



Today's Treat: 5 Things I Learned from NaPiBoWriWee (so far!)

Today's Treat is a Friday segment dedicated to helping writers 1) treat themselves like a writer by building confidence and craft and 2) putting themselves in situations where others will treat them as a writer to build community and connections.

Well, I am happy to announce that for the first time in a loooong time I feel like a writer!  I think it is safe to say that my slump is over.  With participation in NaPiBoWriWee this week I have broken through and have written a manuscript a day!  I wrote my 12x12in'12 April draft on Monday (which was the last day of the month, by the way).  On Tuesday, NaPiBoWriWee started and I wrote Manuscript #1, followed by Manuscripts #2 and 3 on Wednesday and Thursday consequetively.  What a rush to set a goal and accomplish it! 

Now I know that I have yet to complete Manuscripts 4-7, but I have today through Monday to do that.  What I want to focus on today, is what I have learned from NaPiBoWriWee so far.

5 Things I Learned from NaPiBoWriWee (so far!)

1)  Brainstorming is key!  Although my job does not always lend itself to writing manuscripts during the day, I have made sure to spend the entire day brainstorming on the story I want to write on that day.  Therefore, when I finally do have time to type it all up, it doesn't take as long.  In fact, two times this week I didn't open my laptop til 10pm, but was finished writing up my 550+ word drafts within an hour.

2)  My good ideas have not dried up.  I know its kinda silly to say, but sometimes I think that I will never have another good idea for a story.  And yet, each day this week I have started to write one!  And most of the ideas did not come to me til the night before.

3)  A draft is a draft.  As hard as it is to stop line editing every two seconds, it is important to just "pound out" the draft.  Don't worry about too much description or being too wordy.  Focus on the plot: beginning, middle and end.  Also, focus on developing fun characters that the readers will care about.  Once you have all of this you can deal with revisions later.

4)  I love to write.  There are plenty of times when I wonder if I even want to be a writer anymore.  Sometimes it just seems daunting and tedious.  But, you know what?  I do!  I love writing!  Just getting back to that basic is so priceless. 

5)  Accomplishing a goal is an energizing feeling!  I have been feeling so blah lately.  But not anymore!  Thank you, NaPiBoWriWee!

Wednesday Writers Weigh In: NaPiBoWriWee!

Its National Picture Book Writing Week (or NaPiBoWriWee)!  This amazing challenge, hosted every May 1-7th by author Paula Yoo is a fun event created to encourage people to stop procrastinating and actually write and FINISH a rough draft of a picture book.

But to challenge everyone, Paula made it an entire week. So from May 1st to May 7th every year, you must write 7 picture books in 7 days!

I, myself, have been in a creative funk lately.  Nothing seems to inspire me.  Everything bores me.  Therefore, I am taking part in NaPiBoWriWee to break though this slump!  And so far, its worked!  I wrote Draft #1 and am working on Draft #2 today.

Sound like fun?  Well its not too late to join!  Head over to Paula's blog at http://paulayoo.com/napi/ and get writing!

This all brings me to this week's Weigh In...

what is the craziest thing you have ever done to break out of a slump?  Writers Weigh In!