A Productive Member of Society
It's raining today in Minnesota and I'm home alone with my two preschoolers. Bambi is playing on the DVD player in the background. Thumper's mother is scolding him for eating only the flowers and not the greens.
I rarely have adult conversations during the course of my day. Usually I'm saying things like, "Stop sitting on the baby!" or "Do you want to watch Barney?" or "Don't spit your food out" (usually after I've been spattered by Gerber's creamed peas).
When the only people you talk to are three years old and younger, it's easy to forget that you're a halfway intelligent adult capable of more weighty talk. Easy to let the laundry and cleaning and chasing children overtake your days so that you don't write at all. When the memories of past accomplishments fade so does the confidence that that capable person still resides within you.
So, what's a person to do?
First, start with a mantra. You can make up your own, whatever works for you. I like Jack Handy's old saying from 1980's Saturday Night Live show (as near as I can recall it): "I can do it and gosh-darn it people like me." Tell yourself the truth, that you can be the best person God made you to be and He'll never leave you. That's a good starter.
Second, make a game plan. Randy Ingermanson has a system called "Snowflaking"--it's a step by step guide to creating an outline, synopsis, and first draft to any novel. I recommend it, especially if you're uncertain about how to proceed.
Third, get off your butt and start. It doesn't have to be big. It can be a certain amount of time per day or a certain number of words. Fifteen minutes of writing is more than not writing at all. You'll be surprised how quickly those words add up. This works in a lot of areas of life--visit www.flylady.net for more.
Just doing a little bit, but making progress, will go far in regaining that confidence that years of Barney episodes chipped away at.
More later,
Traci
5 Comments:
Ha. I forgot about that character on Saturday Night Live. Now that I've got children, I don't get to see that show. (I do catch Saturday Night Zonked though, not as funny as the original)
Sometimes I think we all need a reminder that we're still capable. I keep a file of nice things people have said over the years about me and my writing so when I'm feeling inadequate I can read them and remember that Gosh darn it, people really do like me.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I love Randy Ingermanson's snowflake. It helped to organize my thoughts. My technique is to sharpen three pencils. I can't stop writing for the day until their all so dull I can barely read it. I usually 8 or 8 pages!
Trust me. The days fly by, and soon you'll be saying things like, "Don't bring the car back on 'empty.' :)
I like your game plan. Write a few minutes each day. It's better than not at all - which is what I did. I waited until the kids were grown. God will multiply your efforts and your words as you endeavor to write for Him.
May God bless you!
Donna
Well now, Baby Bop, it's just not that easy to sit down and write when BJ keeps comin' in to annoy with some pesky comment.
But I'll keep on workin' on it.
Made a decision once my only son started first grade to write 500 wpd no matter what.
We are into our second week of school and I have already modified it.
Actually, last night at critique group we all committed to 1,500 words per week -- and checking in with each other via email when we're writing.
Sounds a bit immature, now that I'm putting it in words. But, if three other grown women need this kind of accountability, discipline must be a very common achilles heel, eh?
Enjoying your blog. We share a few common favorite writing blogs.
Sandra
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