Thursday, August 27, 2009

Working on Goals in Publishing

Its easy to sit down and say, I'm going to write a book.

You go and buy the pens or pencils, remember to slip in the whiteout, look for a notebook that had the right "Theme" look and bring it all home. Then to remind your family, you shut off the phone and take command of the kitchen table.

With the paper spread, the pencil's sharpened. You placed the thesaurus and dictionary beside you and sit down. Did you notice how white, I mean really white the paper is? Those little lines just seem to stand out. Real attention grabbers. Then suddenly 101 different things that you need to do NOW jump out.

Its all part of being a writer. Believe it or not paper and pencil can be intimidating, almost to the point of bullying you. Well, you have to show them who is the boss.

If you are having trouble writing. Begin by telling yourself this is a business. First of all when you are away from home in the workplace, do you worry about cobwebs? dirt on the floor? or the dreaded cat box that needs emptying? Well, maybe on your lunch hour you make a list, but the thing that occupies your mind is the abitity to finish your job.

It has to be the same with your writing. Set up time that everyone knows is your writing times. Let the machine pick up phone calls and messages. Get a datebook and sign in/ sign out when you are working keep a track of your word progress by putting down what you begin with and what you end up with. If you find yourself not knowing what to say. Pull up that blank document or a blank sheet of paper and begin with , "I don't know what I'm gonna talk about today. My mind is blank." before long something will begin to form because you are getting those errant thoughts in order.

Remember writing is 50% inspiration and 50% determination. If your butt isn't in the seat, the story won't get done. ... Hum saying that, sigh I need to write. talk later.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

NANCY--yes, I believe you're getting the blogging idea down.Even after I was first published, I still began a new story on paper (or notebook--yes, me too, on the "right" look to the notebook. I'm very picky.)I'm gradually getting away from that, though, simply because it's time-consuming transfering my handwritten sentences to WORD.Celia

Maggie Toussaint said...

H- Nancy,
Yes I'm a frime believer in sitting htere and getting the work done. Words won't flow onto the page (or screen) by themselves. You have to be part of the process.

Maggie Toussaint said...

where's the spellcheck on my fingers. I meant to say I'm a "firm" believer in sitting "there" and getting the work done. Sorry to be so sloppy.

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