Tag Archives: writing tips

Writing Program: Week 7 (Just Keep Writing)

As the weeks progress the writing gets more and more intense. I’m not going to lie; it’s even difficult for me to stay on top of the writing schedule. No one said this was going to be easy. So what do you do if life gets in the way of completing a particular day’s worth of writing? I played around with a few options and they all have pros and cons.

Play catch-up

One option would be to double up your writing the next day. You could also try to space out the sessions you missed between several different days.

Pro

You stay on the original schedule, finishing Week 20 on time.

Con

By having to find time for extra writing sessions it is easy to fall more and more behind.

Pick up where you left off

If you missed Monday’s scheduled work, move it to Tuesday. Then move Tuesday’s to Wednesday and so on.

Pro

No stress of having to catch back up to where you originally left off.

Con

You will have to adjust the date of when you were planning on finishing the program.

Hybrid of catch-up and pick up

This is the option I personally try to use. The majority of the time is picking up where I left off. Then if I have the time and the energy I will try to get an extra session in, catching up to where I originally left off. Also on the last day of the week, since it’s a “rest” day I will use that as a catch-up day, if needed.

Pro

Merges the best features of the other two options, while limiting the stress.

Con

You still may need to adjust the date you finish the program.

Of these three options I don’t recommend playing catch-up. I would choose either picking up where you left off or the hybrid option. Writing is supposed to be fun. Don’t let missing a day’s worth of writing stress you

Week 7 Writing Program

First five weeks of the writing program

Weekly Book Recommend

While The Hobbit was the first full length novel I remember being read to me, the first novel I remember reading myself, that truly captivated me was Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park. I remember reading this book while at Scout Camp and that the book was more enjoyable than the activities that camp had to offer. Granted, there was the whole section of science jargon that was hard to read, but once you got past that part it was an amazing story.

 




Writing Program: Week 6 (Crabs in a Bucket)

Talking with those closest to you

With all the writing you have been doing, your friends and family may have noticed a change in your habits. This is a good thing. It’s time to take your writing a step further. It’s time to talk to your family and friends and explain to them what you’re doing.

You need to tell them about the writing habits you are forming and what you’re trying to accomplish. If you’re not sure what you’re trying to accomplish, you better figure it out. You’ve been writing for five weeks now, you should have some inkling of what you want to do with your writing.

You don’t need to have a full detailed plan, just some idea of where you’re heading. Like most goals we make in life they change over time. At this stage in the game an idea of the general direction you want to take is perfectly fine.

Crabs in a Bucket

When talking to loved ones, many of them will be happy for you and give you encouragement. However, some of them will try talking you out of writing. Most, if not all, of these negative people won’t even realize that they’re doing it.

This is what’s referred to as “Crabs in a Bucket Mentality.” When a bunch of crabs are put in a bucket, with the lid off none of them can escape. This is because while one crab tries to climb out the others grab hold and pull it back down, keeping them all trapped.

This is what some of the people that are closest to us do. They are either afraid to try something new or anything different. When the negative person hears someone saying they’re going to start a business, travel to somewhere foreign, or writing a book they immediately try to talk that person out of it and tell them how hard it will be to succeed.

How to deal with Crabby People

While you don’t have to shun them you will want to talk to them. In a very nice way you need to explain to them that this is what you’re doing and that you don’t appreciate their negative comments. They will probably tell you something along the lines of, “I’m just being realistic.”

If they keep up and don’t respect your wishes you will want to do one of two things.

  1. Distance yourself from them. (These will most likely be the people you are not close too anyway.)

Or

  1. Don’t bring up your writing when you are around them.

If you are serious about your writing and keep up with it, those who truly care about you will come around. They will stop trying to bring you down and will become some of your strongest supporters.

Week 6 Writing Program

Welcome to the Intermediate portion of the Writing Program.

First five weeks of the writing programFirst week of the intermediate writers program

Weekly Book Recommend

With each week’s post I wanted to add a little something extra and wanted to start recommending a book that I enjoyed reading.

The first book I wanted to mention is a novel most of us have already read, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. This is the first full length novel I can remember my Mom reading to me when I was little. While I wasn’t interested in reading books, unless they had pictures in them, it’s was the first book that got me interested in storytelling. And yes, if anyone was wondering, I have read it myself once I got older.

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