I’ve loved writing for as long as I can remember. But dreaming of becoming a writer and actually writing are two different things. It’s easy to romanticize being a writer, fantasizing about sitting somewhere cozy and warm where words and stories pour forth. No interruptions, no distractions, no actual life-living to prevent me from succeeding.
Naturally, the reality is far from my fantasies. I have a husband, two kids, a dog, and a home to manage. All of them are counting on me to be engaged and love them, doing all the things a wife and mama do. For a long time, I struggled to find the things that would make a difference in my writing productivity. I was hard-pressed to gain any momentum and floundered in my efforts to actually write.
But determination and research moved me forward. I had to get creative and reimagine my ideal writing life. Finally, I started hitting on things that altered the way I approached writing. Here are five things that changed my writing life.
Putting My Butt in the Seat
Seat in the seat, fingers on the keyboard, butt in a chair, etc. It’s all the same. Ideally, by committing time to sit and write, I’ll be inherently more productive. There’s a lot of debate over this one. Many feel there is no other way to accomplish writing goals and meet deadlines. Some believe it’s too legalistic and often more stifling to sit and stare at the blank page than to step away and cogitate over your story. To me, “butt in seat” has grown to mean “spend time on my story.” It’s about the commitment to intently focus on writing. So whether I’m physically in a chair (at home or in a coffee shop) churning out words, brainstorming as I walk the dog, or working through plot holes while folding laundry, I’m committed to putting effort into my current project, actively working on my writing.
Attending Writers Conferences
I cannot stress enough how beneficial attending writers conferences has been for me. Last year, I wrote about my top five reasons to go to writing conferences, and I still stand by them. Writers conferences are wonderful places to find your people, connect with other writers, and network with industry experts. The teaching at conferences can expand your understanding of and expertise in writing, editing, publishing, and marketing. And writers conferences are wonderful boosts of momentum, giving writers that shot in the arm needed to encourage and push us forward.
Prayer
As a writer focused on penning inspirational fiction, I realized I needed to be starting any writing time in prayer. I try to spend at least a few minutes reading a Scripture verse or passage, journaling, and praying before I begin the actual work. I feel strongly that the call on my heart to write comes from God, so I want to go to him first before I attempt to be about his business.
Writing flash fiction
If you’ve read my blog much at all, you know I LOVE flash fiction. Learning how to craft a story with a beginning, middle, and end in a thousand words or less is no joke, and I relish the challenge of it. Whenever I’m slogging through a longer project, I can take a break and draft a flash fiction piece to shake things up. When I want to feel accomplished, I can pen a short, short story and be satisfied that I’ve completed a task I started (in a short amount of time, too). All the while, writing in this format pushes me to write better and succinctly.
Creating a website/start blogging
Making the decision to create a website and committing to blog once a week was a game-changer for my writing. It pushed me to see my writing as more than a hobby and reframe it as a business. It forces me to work on a deadline each week because I’m committed to publish a blog post every Thursday. Maintaining a blog is also an important aspect of platform building because it’s one of the best ways to engage with readers and grow a newsletter list. By the way, if you haven’t yet taken the time to subscribe to my newsletter, I’d be grateful if you would take a minute to sign up. That’s the best way to keep up with me and my writing journey, as well as receive bonus stories on occasion.
The writing world is full of craft or how-to books, blogs brimming with advice, and experts who are quick to give an opinion. Sometimes these all align and point to the same best practices, while other times they contradict. I believe writers have to find what works best for them and implement the tools and tips that help them become the best writer they can be. Fellow writers, what is something you picked up that changed your writer’s life? Did any of my practices resonate with you? And if so, which one and how?