Writing. A Lot.

Life has a funny way of sorting itself out.  It really does.  Call it fate, cosmic coincidence, or divine intervention.  Whatever you call it, it works.

I needed more time to write, and suddenly the sea parted and the time appeared.  (So, too, did several new clients, which is both fantastic and time consuming–but no complaints here!)  With my new time and schedule, I have spent every morning this week working with clients and then writing during a three hours gap.  This schedule will change next week, as I’m sure it will do for the remainder of the semester, but the great thing is that I’ve had a chance to enjoy the time and to see how helpful it is to have it.

There will always be interruptions.  Last night I was being called upon to run a late-night errand, and as I was leaving I was also frantically trying to capture an idea in my notebook.  But in the end both tasks were accomplished.  I ran the errand and I finished the thought. (Of course, I still need to finish said thought in the article I’m currently working on today, but…c’est la vie)

So…I’m writing.  I’m writing.  There is nothing else I’d rather be doing right now. And it feels great.

Discipline and Writing: One of Many Resolutions for 2015

One of my resolutions for 2015 is to write more.  This is a huge goal because I have to do a ton of writing. A ton. No, seriously, a ton.

In addition to working on my nonfiction education book (for my business), I need to write more for my professional blog, my personal blog, a blog I write for a friend’s comedy show, various articles I publish, recaps and articles for DarkMediaOnline.com, and personal writing (including the novels I’ve been writing for years now).  Some of it overlaps, but most of it is 100% fresh and unique.

In sum, it’s a ton of writing on a regular basis.

To get it all done, I need discipline.  I need to focus on whatever I’m working on and not let myself become distracted by other things.

Of course, it’s easier said than done…but it’s still early in 2015. I have high hopes 🙂

New Years Resolutions

Do you set New Year Resolutions?

I never used to, until a few years ago when I realized that having goals was helpful.

Even though we have yet to hit Christmas, I’m already thinking of what I want to focus on in 2015.

In 2015 I want to focus on a running goal, a writing goal, a professional goal, and some kind of personal goal.

My goals are as yet undefined, but I suspect that they will start to take shape as we get closer to the New Year.  I will share them with you all once I figure them out!

On Writing: The Headache at the Base of My Skull

I have a headache. It’s at the base of my skull and the pain is radiating down my spine.  My shoulders ache.

The cause? Stress. 

Stress from what, you might ask.

The answer is pretty simple, really.  I have a zillion things I want to do, and want to be doing at this very moment, but I can’t do them for a variety of reasons. 

How many of us have our creativity stifled by the dreary minutiae of everyday life? Like work.  Work (if it isn’t your dream job) is the pinnacle of the dreary minutiae of which I speak.

The solution? Persistence. Keep your nose to the grindstone and keep pushing through until you get where you want to be.  In my case, I write every moment I can so that I can be where I want to be.

So I keep going.  And I keep writing.  And using my lunch break to write is just the catharsis I need to rid myself of this headache….

On Writing: The Author’s Bandwagon

I think I’ve fallen off the bandwagon.  Lately I’ve been so pressed for time that writing has taken a backseat to everything else.  This is not good.  

I’ve considered things like daily page goals, or word count goals, but generally I feel that with writing nonfiction, trying to work toward a word or page count goal could lead to a bunch of crappy writing.  Instead, I’ve tried to write something solid, and if I’m satisfied with the quality, then I’m happy with the progress.  However, I suspect that I’ll never get done if I keep this system going.

Perhaps there is a happy medium that I’m not seeing.  For now, I’ll consider any progress to be good progress.

An Ode to my Coach

I have a business coach.  As you might have read, I’ve been having trouble getting my book done.  My book is tied to my business.  I explained my challenges to my business coach, and by the time we ended our conversation I had much more clarity, along with a clear vision of how to proceed.  My business coach is now my writing coach.

The benefit of having a coach is that he won’t hold back.  He told me to refocus my efforts and head in a different direction, which is exactly what I needed.  

A writing coach can be anyone, from a friend to a relative to a trusted colleague.  The important thing is that you find someone who won’t be afraid to push you or challenge your ideas.  The idea is to help you, not hinder you.  Having someone who will keep you accountable and focused on your goals will only move you toward your end goal even faster.

So…many thanks, Coach.  You’re the best!

Now…back to writing….

My friend and my Hero, author A.J. Linn

Over a year ago I told my friend that he should be a writer.  We both love writing a lot, but he was doing really exciting things on Word Press and Twitter and he was just ready to make the move.  So being the cheerleader/motivator/instigator that I am, I’d like to think I pushed him into starting on this adventure in publishing.

He just published his second book.  I’m in awe of the man.

His pen name is A.J. Linn and A Gentleman’s Affair was his first book and A Gentleman’s Secret is his newest release.  Now he’s working on a prequel.  The man is indefatigable. (He hates when I throw out the SAT words…)

His books are based on a playboy hotel owner named Donovan Hart.  Donovan is tired of being single and he’s looking to find his one true love.  These are his stories.  If you haven’t read them, they’re perfect reads over Valentine’s Day if you’re on your own.

Linn’s characters have depth.  How do I know this?  You fall in love with them instantly, and you have the urge to smack them when they do things that you, the reader, know they shouldn’t be doing.  That love/desire-to-smack relationship should be the goal of any writer.

I’m proud of my friend because he navigated the world of self-publishing on his own and he got it done.  Some people talk about their goals, and he went out and did it.  That’s why he’s my hero.

Good job, Denver 😉