"You could write a
story about that." Words like these kindle memories of a lifetime
of unique experiences, and the myriad of untold stories that beg to be
freed from the inner world of wonder known as your imagination. But you
retard your growth as a writer when you allow excuses to overtake your
dreams. If you neglect to challenge yourself to develop these ideas, it
is by choice. To improve your writing the key is discipline…another
choice.
Among the caterpillar’s
stages of life, the chrysalis is where the most dramatic change takes
place. The cocoon develops slowly, beginning at one end of the
caterpillar’s body, until the entire body is encased. It is similar
for a writer.
I remember setting my
first serious writing goal. Sentence by sentence I penned my sci-fi
novel. My first completed draft brought a sense of accomplishment five
years later, but large spans of inactivity had caused the project to
needlessly drag. I had wasted valuable time re-reading my story to
refresh my memory regarding pertinent details because I lacked the
discipline to make my writing a priority, instead of simply something I
did in my spare time.
Like many novices, I also
made the mistake of painting myself into a corner by using trademarked
characters. This narrowed my submission possibilities to one publisher,
and brought a new and bigger challenge. After five years of work, I
needed to start over, developing my own characters and worlds while
using the same plot.
Why did it take me so
long to learn this valuable lesson? Again, I lacked discipline. In this
case, it was the discipline to allow my work to rest before editing and
rewriting, to enlist the help and support of others as I went along, and
to be constantly in search of new ideas and topics.
Had I enveloped myself in
the chrysalis of discipline prior to sitting down to write my sci-fi
thriller, right now I would have a novel ready to submit rather than a
lengthy rewrite project.
Challenge Yourself Not
To Waste Time
For many people, January brings the routine of re-evaluating goals for
the New Year. I vowed to set aside 30 minutes a day, five days a week,
to write. I’m a morning person, so I set aside my 30-minute allotment
for the time of day that works for me. One advantage to scheduling my
time early in the day was that it was less likely to be overtaken by the
busy-ness of the day’s activities.
In addition, this
discipline primed the pump of my creativity because the 30-minute time
slot made me hunger for more time to write. Today, if an opportunity
affords itself, I’m prepared to make use of it. I carry a hard copy of
my current projects in my briefcase so that I can work on them whenever
I find myself with some time to kill. Instead of returning home with a
complaint about how long I waited at the dentist’s office, I arrive
home with completed revisions.
By watching for
possibilities and not squandering the spare moments that present
themselves, I disciplined myself not to waste time and fought the
inclination to procrastinate.
Let Your Work Rest
New writers need to curb their excitement about a new draft and allow it
to rest before editing and rewriting. On the other hand, it is important
not to waste time with long periods of inactivity.
My goals no longer focus
on one project, but rather on the craft of writing. This freedom allows
me to work on multiple ventures, hone my skills, and put my freshly
written articles aside without wasting valuable time. I move back and
forth from one undertaking to another, setting each project aside for a
day or two. When I pick it up again, I have a fresh perspective, making
it easier to see needed improvements. This is when I read it aloud and
look for flaws in words and structure. Does it say what I want it to
say? Are the words precise?
Now I know the importance
of disciplining myself to wait, revise, and rewrite.
Seek Help &
Support
There are a variety of places for writers to find support, including
formal classes and local writers’ groups. In today’s busy world, the
assistance available online is priceless. In such an atmosphere, I would
have learned sooner of the pitfall of using trademarked characters in
the first draft of my novel.
Now, I am involved in
more than one online writer’s group. The key word is
"involved," another thing that requires discipline. The
guidance offered within these cyber-walls, including peer feedback, is
not only helpful but also inspirational. It is here among peers that I
realized I customarily wrote in the passive voice, and challenged myself
to change. Within these groups there are deadlines, assignments, and
accountability. It helps me write even when I don’t feel like it. This
nudge prepared me to handle deadlines.
Fresh Ideas &
Topics
When you write regularly, your need for a bevy of ideas from which to
draw increases. Discipline yourself to take note of what happens around
you. Look for fresh topics. Write them down. We are surrounded by
stories.
Last night on the way to
dinner, someone in the car told me about a woman who parked her car on
the lines around a handicap-parking place. She received a ticket and
returned to the store she patronized, expecting them to pay her fine
because she had been shopping there when ticketed. I took out my notepad
and wrote it down.
When you maintain a
writer’s mindset, you net topics before they escape. Put a notepad on
your nightstand. You may think you won't forget the fantastic idea
crossing your mind as you fall asleep, but it evaporates like the dew in
the morning light. Capture it on paper.
Before You Submit
Just think how an editor feels when they receive a error filled
submission. You see how the previous sentence distracted you? I
purposely allowed a typographical, as well as grammatical, error to make
my point. Not only are careless mistakes distracting, but they scream
out that the writer is unprofessional. In this day of spell checkers,
there’s no reason to submit work with misspelled words. However, after
using spell check, it is important to read your work. Do you mean
disburse or disperse? Spell check will allow both; it is necessary to
manually proof your work.
Research your market.
Learn the editor’s name and be sure the publisher, agent, or magazine
publishes the type of work you are submitting. Obtain a copy of the
submission guidelines from your potential prospect. A useful source for
such information is Writer’s Market. You can usually find this
resource in your local library, but I find it a book worth purchasing.
It’s a waste of your postage, time, and paper to make an inappropriate
submission. Armed with pertinent information, present your proposal.
As writers, it is often
these non-creative aspects of our profession that require the most
discipline; however, if you neglect them, you are sealing your fate as
an unpublished author.
Transformation Within
The Chrysalis
Changes occur gradually as we learn to incorporate various disciplines
into our lives as authors. Following these guidelines will allow you to
reap the benefits afforded within the chrysalis of discipline. It can
transform you from a humdrum writer inching your way among unfinished
projects like a caterpillar to a prolific, published author.
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