Category: Writing

When I wrote Dirty Little Secrets in 2009, it took me about a month to finish the rough draft. That’s it. One month. 4-5 weeks. I took a little break, then started working on Part 2, which wasn’t published until 2012. Next, came Double Down and Dirty which was published in 2016.

It wasn’t until this week when I sat and finished a short story that I realized why it takes me longer to write some novels than others, and it’s not just because of research or other obligations.

I love reading novels that are written in first person. It makes it feel more personable to me. I wrote Dirty Little Secrets in first person. All the rest were written in third person. I’ve attempted to write short stories over the years, and this is the first one I’ve actually finished. It’s written in first person. It didn’t take me long to write Dirty Little Secrets or the short story I just finished because I was writing in the point of view I enjoyed. It felt effortless. The ideas and words flowed easily.

I learned it’s important to write what you love.

This not only applies to the point of view but also tense (present or past), and genres. If you love romance, then write romance. If you love mystery, then write mystery.

I do think it’s good to challenge yourself and step out of your comfort zone from time to time too.  Don’t limit yourself. Try new things, but if you’re feeling stuck and unmotivated with your writing, then work on something that feels natural to help get you back in the zone.

Yesterday, I had an idea for a short story. All day long the ideas played in my head. While I watched television, I saw something that I could use to add to my plot (don’t fret I’m not stealing ideas… simply revising and reusing). As I washed the dishes, I thought of more ideas. I downloaded a new book and as I was listening, guess what happened? Yep! Another idea.

All these ideas were downloading in my mind, and I hadn’t even sat at my computer yet. I didn’t type not one word, yet I was still working on my manuscript.

I bet it never occurred to you that working on your manuscript doesn’t always mean sitting in front of your computer or writing in your notebook (though you will need to do that eventually). Thinking about your manuscript, reading and studying great writing, watching television and observing characters and plot development, are other ways you can work on your manuscript.

Do not… I repeat… Do not use those things as an excuse not to sit and write because as I said, you will need to do that too, but give yourself credit for the work you are doing and don’t beat yourself up over what you’re not doing. When the time is right, you’ll sit at the computer, and everything you’ve been working on in your mind will surge through your fingers and onto the computer screen…. Trust me 🙂

You know those women who work from home and seem to have it all together? Their days are planned, their houses are clean, their meals are prepped. Guess what? I’m not that woman. I’ve been a full-time writer for 8 months now, and I’m still trying to get myself organized. Wanna know a secret? Organizing isn’t exactly my strong suit.

Honestly, I feel like I would do better if I could somehow shut my brain off. Well, maybe not the brain since I need that to function, but my neverending thoughts that won’t allow me to feel satisfied no matter how productive I may be. I have a list of tasks, all very important, and whenever I’m working on one of them, the guilt sets in.

For example, If I’m critiquing my client’s work, I feel guilty because I’m not working on my own manuscript. If I’m working on my manuscript, I feel guilty because I’m not working on my script. No matter what I do, I somehow find a way to make myself feel as though it’s not enough.

Why is that? Why is it so easy for me to give a great big kudos to my clients on their progress, but still find fault with my own?

When I walked away from my full-time job, I imagined a day of writing, filming, coaching, and the gift on an endless amount of time on my hands. I was wrong! Boy was I wrong. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent working on a schedule. How many Youtube videos I’ve watched to help me with planning and productivity. Nothing seems to work. And I won’t bother mentioning those days where the inspiration to be productive feels like it’s on vacation. So what now?

Now, I continue working towards fulfilling my goals. I try to train my brain to feel satisfaction instead of frustration. I keep reminding myself that consistency will help me reach my goal. My manuscript may not be finished by the summer as I planned, but I will finish it. I will constantly remind myself that I’m doing enough. That I am enough.

By now you may be wondering why I’m telling you all of this? Quite frankly I’m wondering the same thing. I don’t know, maybe you’ll see yourself in this blog and maybe you, like me, will come to the conclusion that you can’t do it all in a day. That being consistent towards your goals is really all you can do and maybe… just maybe… you’ll start to feel satisfaction instead of frustration as well.

Did this blog speak to you in any way? I’d love to hear your thoughts or even strategies that you’ve found to help increase productivity. I’m always open to learning.

There’s no excuse you can give that I hadn’t already used myself.
 

• Who’s going to read my book, why even start?
• It’s hard to be creative after working all day.
• I don’t know the first thing about writing a book.
• And most importantly…Will my story change lives and become more than the vision I hope it would be?
• I have small children; there’s no time to write.
• How can I concentrate on writing when there’s so much housework to do?
• Who’s going to read my book?
• After I knock this to-do off my list, I’ll sit down and write – promise.
• There are already so many authors in the world.

I could go on and on, but what’s the point. There’s no excuse you can think of that haven’t already been used by thousands of other people. The truth is, you do have the time. People will read your story. Your story will change lives. 

You know all this, you’re just afraid. Don’t let fear stop you from doing what you know you need to do. Write the book. Change the lives. Enjoy the success. Everyone else is. Why not you?

So, you know how people tell you if you aren’t disciplined on your job then you won’t be disciplined working for yourself? I’m here to tell you that you should believe those people. My biggest struggle has been creating a schedule that would allow me to do everything I need and want to do within a day’s time. What exactly am I trying to accomplish in a day? Well, let’s see… writing episodes for Secrets From the Bayou, creating fresh, new content for my writing clients, writing my blog posts, writing my short story… which is turning out to be much longer than a short story, and I’m sure there’s more I just can’t think of it at the moment.

Today, I had a coaching session with a client, revised the script, wrote this blog post, and that’s about it. Why do I feel guilty if I don’t get it all done? Why can’t I be happy with what I’ve accomplished? Besides, the day isn’t even over yet. I may still get a chapter in there somewhere. 

Oh, wait! School’s out. That means children and nonstop chatter, so maybe I won’t get any more done today :). Balancing my to-do list is going to take time and work. I need to learn to do what I tell my clients and that’s to celebrate the small things. I didn’t go back to bed (which I really could’ve because I was tired), I didn’t sit around watching television (even though there are some really good shows on during the day. Why didn’t y’all tell me? :), and I didn’t stay on Facebook (that itself is worth celebrating for me LOL!)

This is a process and instead of nagging myself and stressing about what I didn’t do, I’m going to enjoy the journey and give myself a pat on the back for what I did do.

If any of my friends have figured out a system that works, please feel free to share it. I’m open to suggestions LOL!

I talk to people every day, all day long and this is what I hear more than anything else. So many people want to write but have no idea where or how to start. The two things I love are teaching and writing and combining those has brought me so much joy.

More than anything, I want to help more people write their books and the only way to write a bestselling book is by writing. I’m ready to help aspiring authors jump-start their writing by working with them through Chapter 1.

I have no doubt it’s going to light their creative fire and motivate them to keep writing the book they were always meant to write.

If this person is you, then I’d love for you to schedule a call so we can get to work :). If it’s not you then please tell others who may be interested.

Click the link to schedule your FREE JUMP START WRITING Call: https://lornalewiscoaching.as.me/