Over the last few months, I have been mentally flogging myself because I have been delayed in moving towards my personal writing and book goals. I am not doing my “real” writing, so I must be failing? Then, I read the following tips on writing by Jeff Goins.
A list of 10 essential tips on writing (from Goins Writer):
- Write every day.
- Make sure your writing is effective.
- Don’t be lazy; do your best to avoid sounding stupid.
- Stay focused!
- Stop worrying about being a good writer; just write.
- Forget about fame; write what’s worth writing.
- Get over your perfectionist [or inner-editor] tendencies.
- Don’t write to just to get published [ Not everything written needs publication].
- Read.
A few I numbers stood out to me: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 9.
Right now, I have been engaged in page after page of academic material. My brain hurts from formulating ideas and material, then breaking them down into simpler components for students, faculty, and colleagues. However, I can safely say that at the end of each day, I have been writing and doing it by the bucket loads.
What I am writing and doing now is only temporary. My personal writing and book ideas, many almost finished, will get their time in the limelight of my work soon. For now, they will have to wait patiently backstage. There is a benefit to it that many established writers often recommend. The time away from creative writing projects usually allows a writer to see work with fresh eyes. From experience, best ideas and editing come from time away from my projects.
In the end, there is no need for mental flogging. Celebrate writing every day, no matter the writing.
~SR
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