A Dozen Hacks to Make the Writing Life Easier


by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

The writer�s life isn�t an easy one. So much of what we create comes from some place deep inside ourselves. Giving that way can be exhausting, not to mention frustrating, when we feel empty.

The good news is that there are things we can do to help ourselves. I�ve come to learn that we either set ourselves up for success or we set ourselves up for failure.  Today I�ll share some of the writing and blogging hacks that every successful writer needs to know.

Writing Life Hacks

1. Writing is a mind game�and our minds play tricks on us. When we�re in a good mood, we have confidence. When something goes wrong, that confidence melts away. Successful writers don�t base their confidence on emotions. 

2. Speak kindly to yourself. Along with the attitude comes the way we treat ourselves. We talk junk to ourselves in ways that we would never talk to someone else. Decide right now to stop. Speak words of encouragement to yourself and you�ll speed the path to success.

3. Take care of yourself physically. Writing isn�t just hard because of the mind games. It�s hard on our bodies. Just sitting all day has shown to cause horrible health problems. Take time to get the exercise you need and fuel your body with healthy food and plenty of water.

4. Schedule some rest and relaxation. I�m not necessarily talking about napping, although that's not a bad idea. Writing regularly is important, but so is time away. Take a drive, plan lunch out with a friend, what ever helps you relax. 

5. Follow a regular writing schedule. Notice I said regular�not normal. You may only be able to write late at night, or early in the morning. Or you may only be able to write on the weekends. Whatever works for you is fine�as long as you do it regularly.

6. Surround yourself with other writers who have the same commitment. This is so important. If you surround yourself with others who aren�t serious about writing or those you constantly have to shore up and encourage, you�ll wear yourself out. Find people who are committed to finish well, no matter what life problems crop up.

7. Set goals that you can track and measure. If you can�t tell how close you are to a goal, it�s pretty frustrating, so make sure the goals you have are ones where you can track the progress. For example, set a goal to send out so many queries or proposals or attend so many conferences. Don�t make getting a publishing contract the goal. You really don�t have any control over a publisher saying yes or no. BUT you can write the book, send out the queries and get everything in place for when it does happen.

8. Invest in your dream. You have the right to follow your heart. Don�t let anyone say you don�t. But also don�t be your own worst enemy. Invest time, effort and money in making your publishing goals a reality.

9. Learn how to take critique. Writers seem to range from one extreme to the other. We either think everything we write is perfect and better than anything out there. Or we think everything we write is junk. We have no perspective. Find others you respect and listen to what they have to say about your writing. Improve where you need to, and relish the parts that truly are great.

10. Read regularly. I know that none of us has the time, but successful writers (those who are growing in their craft) know it�s vital to take the time. Read regularly, read deeply and read widely.

11. Never go anywhere without a notebook. That notebook might be a note-taking app on your mobile device, but never be without a way to record idea. Inspiration ALWAYS strikes at inconvenient times. Don�t get caught without a way to capture an illusive idea.

12. Keep writing, no matter what. Yes, life happens. But no matter what rough time you�re going through keep writing. You might be able to put away the formal projects when a crisis hits, but keep writing something�a journal, a poem,  a prayer. 

These are the things that help me keep moving forward, no matter what. I�d love for you to add to the list.

Don�t forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie

TWEETABLES
A Dozen Hacks to Make the Writing Life Easier - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

A writer�s life isn�t easy � 12 Life Hacks for Successful writers � via @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to P.R.E.P. for a Great Writing Fall!

Image
by Lucinda Secrest McDowell @LucindaSMcDowel Summer 2018 will soon be only a memory� Labor Day will have come and gone.  Whether you are back into the routine of filling backpacks and lunchboxes or at the stage of filling your calendar with work or volunteering, FALL can be a season of fresh beginnings.  Since I juggle three jobs (writing, speaking and high school teaching) Fall is my serious kick-off-and-start-running time. Perhaps you feel this way as well.  May I suggest my own strategy for balancing life at this time of year? I call it  P.R.E.P P � PLAN  R � RHYTHM E � EXTRAS P � PRIORITY   PLAN :  Right now, lay out your calendar pages for September, October, November, and December and fill in all that is already scheduled: work, activities, appointments, concerts, church services, Bible studies, etc. Include your children�s� games, recitals, field trips and school holidays as soon as you get the notice. Look at the four months. What is already on your calendar is a given�the empt
Read more

Go. Write. Love.

Image
by Sarah Van Diest @SarahVanDiest Do you know that what you do matters?  Do you understand that the way our Father speaks through you is unique? That there is no one else who can carry his message and his love like you can?  I want you to hold that idea in your mind as you read today�s story. What you do makes a difference.  I wish I didn�t have this story to tell you today, but I do. It sits in my hands and waits to be opened and shared. I feel a strange sense of honor holding it, while its tragic nature makes me wish it never existed. But it is also something precious and something worthy of words.  Four months ago, baby Kaenon was born. He came early. As soon as the news broke that he was on the way, his grandparents rushed to meet him. Mark and Laurie Francis arrived at daughter Ashlee�s side and welcomed their first grandchild into the world.  His early arrival meant complications, though. Kaenon�s body wasn�t quite ready for the wideness of the world. He would undergo multiple su
Read more

My 10 Commandments of Social Media for Writers (and everyone else)

Image
by Edie Melson  @EdieMelson Today's post is short and sweet, but I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did writing it! 1. Thou shalt always promote others ahead of thyself. 2. Thou shalt not have a running self-promotion and/or commercial for thy newsfeed. 3. Thou shalt add substance and value�not trivia or irritation�to those who like and follow thee.  4. Thou shalt not hog the stream of any social media network thou are a part of. 5. Thou shalt interact with those who comment upon and share thy updates. 6. Thou shalt not share thy location or the fact that thou is on vacation. 7. Thou shalt take time to edit thyself before posting (auto correct is not thy friend). 8. Thou shalt not plague others with auto responders when someone new follows thee. 9. Thou shalt ALWAYS use a recognizable headshot as thy avatar. 10. Thou shalt not add others to groups without permission.  What commandment would you add to the list? I could think of several others but I was trying to stick with
Read more