Writing Right

I'm not sure if it's even a valid worry. With every book I read on craft and process, it seems the overwhelming belief is that there is no right. There are good stories, stories that capture your attention and never let go and then, there are bad stories, that just don't have the pull to keep a reader interested. My inner editor differs. She tells me that there is only one way to write and I just haven't been illuminated on how that is.

Again and again, I hear her whisper..."This sucks. Why even bother? You'll never be able to write like...insert witty, smart author here..." At my strongest, the joy of writing keeps the doubt at bay. I sit and I write and I write and it doesn't feel like writing at all. It feels like being moved, like seeing the words appear without any effort at all. Are they the right words? I'm not really sure. Craft book after craft book inspires but am I learning enough to make a difference in the second draft?

How to Write When Your World Shifts

It’s hard. Crazy hard. Procrastination isn’t even the issue. If it were, I would be writing like mad, instead of staring at lists, spending time trying to figure out what stuff I need to pack, how I’m going to live so many months without a physical place to call home.

I so badly want to write my words down, keep the story rolling. I can only hope that life won’t throw too many barriers up between traveling, hotels, and the uncertainty of what life will be like in the fall. I am grateful that my characters still feel alive and that I am only not writing because time, space, and energy have kept me away.

Here’s my plan:

For the next five weeks, while we transition to the next post, I will keep a notebook and pen handy at all times. If inspiration hits on a plane, in a car, or at a restaurant, I will be ready. My netbook will be ready at a moment’s notice. Whether I get in 5 or 500 words, I will see it as forward progress. I will keep my writing self flexible. Stress and pressure will only stifle my abilities.

Put One Foot in Front of the Other

My son is a huge fan of Christmas movies. Even now, in March, he could watch any one of the DVDs we have stored away. One of the films, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, has a song where Kris Kringle sings, "Put One Foot in Front of the Other." I've been trying to keep the words in mind lately. Every project, every to do list item, every goal, starts with just one step. With this blog, I'm hoping each step will take me further into the life I want to lead....the life of a writer and storyteller. So here's my first step...my first blog post....just one foot in front of the other