Before I get to today's lesson, I need to share my progress with yesterday's lesson. After I finally initiated, I wrote over 2000 words of the book that has been floating in my head for months or years. I just started writing. DUH!
THEN, since I am feeling better this morning I got up at the usual time, but instead of responding to emails and visiting everyone's blogs as I usually do, I immediately started writing. It was difficult to get started but once I did, I was amazed at how the characters seemed to direct me to what was coming next. I wrote for an hour and plan to revisit the story again tonight. Did you get up early to write? Are you initiating?
Today's lesson is to practice. To show up every day.
TO PRACTICE IN PUBLIC. To perform.
Our assignment:
-Pitch a magazine you would like to write for
-Ask someone to guest on their blog
-Publish something on your blog you've never shared before
-Submit that book proposal
Whatever you do, don’t do nothing
Show up and show us your gift. Until then, you are only practicing in private.
You'll probably fail but in failure you learn. Fail fast, then tell us what you've learned.
Practice doesn't make perfect. Practice makes habit
I have always considered my blog as my practice. My problem was that I didn't have anything to practice for until yesterday. Recently, I have tried to get involved in as many Blog Hops and Blog Fests as I could for additional practice. Some have been more challenging than others, but I feel like it is working. My posts haven't been great, but I have faith that they will get better.
I can't think of any magazine to pitch for (although I will be thinking about it today), and I don't have a book to pitch, yet, but I will put an offer out there to guest post for anyone who would be open to the idea.
How are you going to practice today?
Congratulations on 2000 words, that's great! I need to get focused like you. This morning I procrastinated for hours before I actually got around to writing lol.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't know what to do - I've done most of that already!
ReplyDeleteTwo thousand words is great! Now to get to work on mine.
Hey, kudos on your 2K words! The writing process is a bit like birthing, ain't it? (I can actually attest to this, having done both.) ;-)
ReplyDeleteSome Dark Romantic
Congrats on the 2K! My progress was slow, but that's because of outlining. I also have another book I'm editing and have to get the first chapter up to par before my turn at the crit group (AAHH!). I also offer you a chance to guest post on my other blog. It's called Thirsty Thursday and you can write about anything to do with writing=) Here's the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://thirstythursdayblog.blogspot.com
This morning, I was writing next to the pool (still on vacation). A random guy asked me what I was doing. We ended up discussing genres. He seemed to think it was cool to be talking to a writer. Cool for me too. I totally agree that you have to show up for work every day. And take a day or two off.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. I try to get to work about an hour early to write. For me it's a conditioning step that tells me my writing is more important then work, so I never quit.
ReplyDeleteSuch great advice: Whatever you do, don’t do nothing
ReplyDeleteThat is so true!
Fantastic advice! I treat writing as I would a job - albeit, one I love! I start at a certain time, take breaks, and end when I've met my target. It's the only way that works for me.
ReplyDeleteNew follower here! Beautiful blog and educational post. I think I'll check out the 15 habits.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're doing a great job! During NaNoWriMo last year, I got up early on my late work days to write. It went well for a while. I might have to do that again when we change to our autumn schedule.
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