Freedom to Write – It Starts With You: Guest Post by Dawn Goldberg
What keeps you from being free to write? Is it that you don’t have time? You’re too busy? Do the kids, work, laundry constantly call to you, making it darn near impossible to write?
As much as we wish the time and structure to write would just appear, the truth is that it won’t. Imagine all the time you spend picturing yourself writing (or with that published book). You have to create your writing life and get the writing out of your imagination and into reality. Get up 30 minutes early. Cut your lunch break in half. Ask your husband to get the kids ready for bed. Let the laundry pile up on top of the washing machine. It will still be there when you’re done writing.
Let the people around you know that writing is important. You may have to train them a bit, but it’s the same when we do any kind of endeavour. If you decided to train for a marathon, you’d have to carve out the time to run all those miles and miles—daily. Do the same for your writing. Carve out the necessary time and commit to it.
Once you have that down, work on yourself. You can write. You write well. You will finish that article, book, eBook, or series. Don’t let that inner voice inside your head stop you. Tell it to pack its bags and move to Cleveland, Ohio. (And if you live in Cleveland, by all means send it somewhere else!)
We are our own biggest obstacle.
Freedom to write means freedom from (or pursuing in spite of) our own inclination for the status quo. It takes effort to push out of the muck of daily life and write. But when you push out, you spread your wings and feel the gentle breeze of possibility. Now you’re free. Write.
Let me introduce you to Dawn Goldberg:
After several years in education and owning a business as a virtual assistant, Dawn saw the need for good writing and effective communication. As founder of Write Well U, she’s created several writing programs to help people use words well and become stronger writers.
You can find out more about Dawn’s work at Write Well U and follow her blog at Write Well Me.
Dawn responded to my request for guest posts for the theme of writing and freedom – thanks Dawn! I hope to have one more guest post for you later this week as we draw this theme to a close.
“Don’t let that inner voice inside your head stop you.” — For me it is often that inner voice more than the outer distractions that hold me back, and although it hasn’t moved to Ohio, I do have it packing its bags!
SpaceAgeSages last blog post..Is ingratitude like anti-matter?
Yes, you must tell your wife and kids how important writing is to you. BUT — if you make a few bucks at it and take them to Disneyland, you’ll never have a problem. That’s kind of a big metaphor for when you ought to be writing and when you ought to find another pastime/part time job.
Great article
SpaceAgeSage – I’m glad you’ve got those bags packed! I think the inner voice is the most troublesome one of all. I try and think of mine as a gremlin rather than a voice – it’s easier to keep him under control!
Joanna
Damien, I like that image of you treating your family with what your words, skill, creativity and work have brought you.
I know we all write for different reasons but if generating some money is a goal it’s good to celebrate – and share it with those who’ve helped you create the time and circumstances to do it
Hi Dawn – this is a great post. As you say – we all have the freedom to write, it’s making time to do it that’s important.
Hi Joanna – glad you’ve got moved safely. It’s good to see you back.
Hi Dawn, as a runner the marathon analogy definitely hit me. You are right marathon training takes a commitment. You must sacrifice some things like late nights, and sleeping in on Saturday for your effort, but you do it because your goal is more important than the temporary sacrifices. Thank you Dawn for the encouragement.
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Very encouraging! I find it easy to put off starting a project – there’s always some other work that needs to be done. But you’re right, Dawn. You just have to dive in!
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Hi Cath, good to see you too. Carving out time – and time that we can use rather than fritter away is vital isn’t it? (I’m very good at frittering!)
Karen, I think if you can run a marathon you can pretty well do anything! I take my hat off to anyone who can do such a thing
Brad – me too. I’m a most excellent procrastinator. Sometimes I think blogging is a good diversionary tactic – I put too much energy into this rather than other projects. But it is so creative… and so much fun
Joanna
To me, writing and bloggind have become a part of my life and I cannot even imagine the life without it…
Yep, it’s definitely not too hard to find the 30 minutes each day to write an article or blogpost, the only matter is whether you have the determination to do it or not!
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Wow! First, thanks for all the kind words. Second, it shouldn’t be a surprise that many of us share that issue of getting out of own way, whether it’s the inner voice or the time or the drive.
The thing is we all can do it. Just because it doesn’t naturally come about (Oh, darn, I only wrote 5000 pages today) doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be doing it. Status quo is always easier.
That’s why we need to make status quo include writing. Then, world, watch out!!!
Thank you all again for your comments – may we all get out of our own way.
Dawn Goldbergs last blog post..Freedom To Write – Guest Post Over at Confident Writing
Wilson, it’s great to hear how writing and blogging has become so much a part of your life. I think once we waken up our creativity like this we really don’t want to stop again!
Joanna
Dawn,
So fun to find your post on this blog. You are so right! While I can’t say I practice it perfectly – when I make the decision to write regularly I can always make the time.
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Hi Donna, good to see you here and thanks for stopping to say hello. “Making the decision” makes the difference doesn’t it – whether it’s writing or anything else
Joanna
I thought all writers were royal procrastinators?
As for me, I need a deadline-as soon as I have a deadline, I can do amazing amounts of work with my writing. Especially in Nanowrimo.
But without one, I move at the pace of a snail.
~Dianna
Hi Dianna and welcome to Confident Writing.
Interesting to hear how deadlines work for you. I hope you’re looking forward to this year’s Nanowrimo!
Joanna
For me, the biggest step to writing and writing well (and writing confidently!) really does start with that regular writing. It seems as if everything falls into place after that. If I’m writing every day, then if I have a not-so-great writing episode, I know there will always be tomorrow. Talk about freedom to write. It’s also freedom to not be perfect. Oooooh.
Dawn
Dawn Goldbergs last blog post..Say Good-bye to Summer–and Drinking from Garden Hoses
Dawn, freedom not to be perfect is freedom indeed
Thanks again for sharing your experience with us
Joanna