It’s one thing to talk about writing; it’s another to complete the act. Many writers spend a considerable amount of time thinking about writing, reading about it, or talking to other writers about what it’s like to be a writer. They’ll spend time in chat rooms, on forums, in groups, or the comments sections of blogs. While there’s valuable content in these areas, it’s problematic for the would-be writer. Why? They need to be a writer who writes. Instead, they’re one who likes the idea of writing.
How Can Would-be Writers Get Out of This Rut?
First, read something that matters – valuable content that will help pull you from the rut of consistently pulling you away from your writing. According to a colleague of mine, Mridu Khullar Relph, in Psychology Today, “All I have to say is, there are only so many ways writers can put off writing the things that are important to them, and I’ve done them all.” Why do writers do this? It’s difficult to say. She continues, “You stop arriving at the page expecting to create. You arrive at the page expecting to practice.” Does this sound easy to you? It’s not. You have to make a commitment to yourself and be a writer who writes.
Steps to Be a Writer Who Writes
No matter what kind of writer you are – nonfiction or fiction – it takes commitment to your craft. You must stop making excuses and start writing. Here are some tips:
Make plans on paper:
- What do you want to write about?
- Are you more successful when you create an outline?
- Consider making a timeline or editorial calendar.
Make a plan for accountability:
- Who can help you be accountable? (A friend, partner, spouse?)
- Develop a plan for accountability: For example, setting a word or page count per day.
Set Limits for Yourself:
- Don’t create expectations that are too high.
- When you go to your favorite “haunts,” do so for a set amount of time.
Give Yourself a Break:
- Don’t create a schedule of all work and no play.
- Make sure your accountability partner knows your break schedule.
What Can You Expect from Me?
I’ll be sharing this blog series, “Be a Writer Who,” every Monday throughout 2019. My goal is to help writers by sharing tips, resources, and other valuable content to help them:
- Overcome obstacles
- Hone their skills
- Become better writers
- Establish or improve their businesses
- Continue or start writing books
- Continue learning
If you have questions throughout this journey, please reach out anytime in the comments section on any post, the contact us page, or any of my social media channels.
Would you like to know about Mridu Khullar Relph? She’s written a book (I don’t receive a commission or affiliate sales for mentioning this, by the way) entitled, Shut Up and Write: The No-Nonsense, No B.S. Guide to Getting Words on the Page (Kindle), that’s very much in-line with what I’ve written here. She’s an awesome writer and has a website here, The International Freelancer, if you want to follow her work (I have been since 2002!).
What’s coming next week?
Next week, we’ll be talking about how to be a writer who sets goals. Stay tuned!