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F. Barish-Stern

 

Writing is a very solitary experience, so I'm discussing the Pros and cons of Writing With Myself!

 People who decide to write can find themselves in the midst of an arguments!

 

Me #1- I’ve always wanted to write and now I am going to find the time!

Me #2 - I’ve always wanted to write but never found the time... so maybe tomorrow!

 

Me #1 - All my life I loved to read and always wanted to create a great story.

Me #2  -All my life I loved to read and I know I could write a better story than most of those famous authors and maybe someday I will.

 

When situations change:

the conversation becomes,

Now that I’m:  

out of school, looking for work, while I’m waiting at interviews, gainfully employed, a stay at home mom/dad, waiting for my kids to come,

 home from school,

 

Me #1  - I can use my time to start writing

   Me #1-  That’s a great time to make writing notes

Me #1 -  I need to set and appointment for my writing time

Me #1 - Great the kids are sleeping; sit down and write

 Me #1 - This is a perfect time to jot down my thoughts

or when life turns upside down

 an empty nester, retired,

Me # 1 - I can use my writing as an outlet to deal with my children leaving home

Me # 1 - Time is my best friend now, I can really commit to writing

 Me # 1 -  Finally ready, this is, “MY,” time for me to start writing.

 

 

But thanks to Me # 2 this is what happens:

Now that I’m

 out of school, I need to look for a job

out of work, I need to get a job  

gainfully employed, I can’t take time from work; when home I need to rest, so writing will have to wait 

a stay at home mom/dad, taking care of my kids is a full-time job

waiting for my kids to come home from school; they’ll be home any minute… no time to write now

an empty nester, finally some time to myself to just sit and relax  

retired, I’m busier than ever  

finally ready, I am so busy there is no, “MY,” time to sit down and write.

 

For years we tell ourselves, "I could write the next best seller!"

For years everyone told you, "You will never sit down and write it…" 

I guess they were right!"

 

But since life happens now is a great time to re-examine your options  before they disappear... 

 

First Change the Talk! (if someone would have told me about the power of 3 I may not have had to go through all this! 

Check it out and save time and a headache! !

 

Instead of: Good morning!  It’s a beautiful day!  Let’s take a walk and go shopping +
and then go for lunch and meet up with friends and then…

Change it to: Good morning!  It’s a beautiful day!  Let’s take all those great ideas and start writing.  

I

 

Instead of: I have such great ideas, but I have no idea how to start.

Change it to: I have such great ideas, I need to do some research about how to get started. 

 

 

Instead of:  If I really feel lost and alone about my writing, I will know that it’s the time to call it quits!

 Change it to: If I really feel lost and alone about my writing, I could join a writer’s group.

 

 

Instead of: When I finally write my book, I know it probably won’t be any good!

Change it to: When I finally write my book, what an accomplishment that will be!

 

 

Instead of: When I finish, if I ever finish my book, it will probably just go in a drawer.

Change it to: When I finish my book, I’ll be ready to take the next steps: editing and publishing 

 

Instead of: When my book is fully professionally edited, then what?

Change it to: When my book is fully professionally edited, there are so many places to self-publish.

 

 

 

Instead of: Self-Publishing is harder than writing the book…so why do it!

Change it to:  Self-publishing is easier than ever!

 

 

Instead of: There are still many main stream publishers, but the good ones don’t accept submissions.

Change it to: There are still many main stream publishers who accept submissions.

 

 

 

Instead of: Main stream publishers still send rejection letters

 Change it to: Main stream publishers still look for new talent to publish.

 

Instead of: My book is finally published, why aren’t readers flocking to it.

Change it to: My book is finally published, now I can put my marketing plan into high gear.

 

Instead of:  There are so many books available, no one will ever find mine!

Change it to: There are so many books available, I need to create the right description, key words and categories.

 

 

These are just a few of the conversations that many people have with themselves. 
They procrastinate; then start and stop and most never accomplish their dream of writing a book. 
In many cases, the negative is easier to believe than the positive. 

Here’s a list of statements I’ve heard; over my years of working with writers.

Take this quiz and see how many of these statements could be YOU!

 

¨  You’ve  envisioned writing a book, but didn’t know where to start — so you didn’t start.

¨  You’ve sat down to write and got stalled — so you never continued.

¨  You’ve written your ideas down on paper, but couldn’t turn them into a story.

¨  You’ve finished a writing project, and then didn’t know what to do with it.

¨ You’ve finished your writing project and had friends tell you it would be the next best seller, but it wasn’t.

¨  You’ve sent your work to publishers and received rejections.

¨  You’ve received rejections that upset you, and eventually stopped sending out your work.

¨ You’ve put your work in a bottom drawer; believing you would take it out someday— but you didn’t.

 

If you were nodding, “...that’s happened to me,” then Today is YOUR Writer’s Birthday

Decide now which statement below will be YOU!

Gee I never sold even one book…I guess I’m a failure. 

See, I knew I never should have wasted my time writing that book!

OR

Wow! I sold my first book…I accomplished my life’s dream! I am so glad I started writing and stuck with it…from an idea to my published story…
and now, the first of many readers, can enjoy my work!

 

After years of working with writers, I can truly say, once they make the commitment -
no matter the outcome, they are so grateful for the experience.  

DO THIS TODAY!

Kick the Con to the curb and start to write like a Pro.

Plan your writing journey:  what you want to accomplish and how you will get there.

Set a writing destination and decide why you are writing and what you want to begin with.

Find a place and a time to write where you will not be disturbed. 
Turn off cell phones and leave a “do not disturb,” sign on your door.

Set up a system for writing: folders, sub folders, notes, research, have everything readily available.
Ditch the clutter.  Have a place for everything and keep everything in its place.

Set an appointment calendar.  If you had an important meeting you wouldn’t miss it! 
Be sure your writing is a “cannot cancel” timeslot.

 

And when you first put pen to paper, or whatever instrument you decide to use, Congratulate Yourself ! 
That is a big step…now

LET’S WRITE!

These ideas are based on research for the book,
“HOW TO WRITE YOUR BOOK, From an Idea to Your Published Story” By F. Barish-Stern and Bobbi Madry

 

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