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 🙂

The Writing Bug

I keep seeing signs for flu shots. I can’t remember the last time I had the flu (which is why I avoid the shots).  Right now I have the Writing Bug.

I can’t stop writing. Last night alone I wrote three articles for a website.  Earlier in the day I wrote a week’s worth of blog posts.  Today I have a dozen ideas for things to write next, and new ideas for my book, which has stalled since Comic Con.

The Writing Bug isn’t a bad thing. The only time it poses a challenge for me is when I don’t have the time to write, when I’m driving, and when I’m supposed to be doing something else.  Clearly the Writing Gods have a sense of humor.

Even now, I’m writing this post and I have at least 6 more that I want to write.

I guess I should get on that….

On Writing: From Page to Screen

I think I’ve mentioned here that in writing my book I haven’t been able to really focus on writing when writing on my laptop.  I’ve had far greater success writing things out by hand in my pink notebook with my pink pen.  (Pink is very important!)

I’ve blown through more than one pen and I just finished filling a notebook, so now it’s time for the transcription to begin.  I’m sure some editing will take place during the transcription, which is good.  I’m still figuring out a system to get things into order given that I didn’t write anything chronologically in my pink notebook.  However, I’m sure that system will come organically as we undertake this…ah…undertaking.

On Writing: Productive Procrastination

Sometimes my procrastination can be productive.  Today I wrote a few blog posts (business and personal), Tweeted (again, business and personal) and sent a dozen business emails.  I got a little writing done, and I’m mostly satisfied with it.  Perhaps procrastination isn’t so bad when it’s done in a productive way.

Of course, if I keep procrastinating, I’ll never get the book done.  *headdesk*  The vicious cycle never ends….

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….

Reading to Help the Writing

I ordered a book last week and it arrived on Thursday.  I’m almost done with it, and so last night I ordered another one so that I have a new book to start when I finish this one.  They’re both business books by Alan Weiss and Marshall Goldsmith.  (This is the third book I’ve read by Weiss and the 4th is due to arrive next week)  The book I’m writing is nonfiction, and it centers around a philosophy I developed. Reading their books helps me to get my own book done.

I don’t think reading falls into my procrastination trap.  I think this is more like research.  However, I do find that I get lost in the books, to the extent that I’ve devoured several hundred pages in a few weeks. (I can read fiction much faster; nonfiction requires a different area of my brain, which is why I developed my own personal writing process)

On the one hand, I have tons of new ideas floating around my head.  On the other hand, I haven’t done as much writing as I should have.

Again, this is why it’s a process for me!

Over the Writer’s Block/Procrastination Hump: Inspiration Strikes

All of a sudden the words are coming.  My trusty pink notebook has been within arms’ reach so that I can record whatever pops into my head.

The system is working.  Procrastination as a form of mental warm-up.  Write things that have nothing to do with the book so that the brain is tricked into doing nothing but thinking about the book.

Silly brain.  I have you figured out now….

On a Roll…The Words Are Pouring Forth

It’s funny how much writing I’ve done today.  I laugh only because I am writing a little bit of everything.  I have a solid outline that is my backbone, so I find myself writing a little bit here and a little bit there.  I suppose that after a while, I’ll have everything done and none of it will have been done chronologically.

Is there any harm in this?  I’m going to say no.  

While it’s true that I eventually have to transfer all of these random pieces into the computer in some semblance of order, I’ll consider that part of the editing process.  Indeed, I think that this will allow me to tighten up certain areas because I’ll throw some of it out and add new material into it as I go along.

Again, this is all part of the process.  My process.  As long as it’s working, why would I change anything? (That’s rhetorical…there are tons of things I could change about this nonsensical process of mine…I’m just not going to do it!)

Quick Musing on Writing

This morning I realized that I’d probably have a dozen books completed if only I wrote down all of the things I think about that never make it to paper.

Sometimes I’ll sit and think about what I’m working on, and I’m lucky if I can capture half of those ideas on paper.

This is why they say writing is a process!