Consistency breeds confidence

Can This Marriage Be Saved? (Or, Can You Teach An Old Dog New Tricks?)

Posted on by
26

I spent a good part* of two days rewriting the start of my novel. (A novel I have already given a decade to). I took out all the backstory and started where the “story begins.” Still, it needed more work. Lots. I was telling instead of showing. (That “show don’t tell” principle of the craft). I was in the protagonists head way too much. And, the novel needed re-structuring. All these are part of the craft of writing. I was not born knowing these crafts. I have read dozens of books on how to write. Novels worth reading are obviously … Continue reading →

Ten Ways To Show Up Consistently and Write

Posted on by
5

YES “It could happen any time, tornado, earthquake, Armageddon. It could happen. Or sunshine, love, salvation. It could, you know. That’s why we wake and look out–no guarantees in this life. But some bonuses, like morning, like right now, like noon, like evening. –William Stafford, YES, from “Learning to Live in the World”   Anything can happen. If we show up, something will happen. My novel, now in its lengthy stage of rewrites, won’t write itself. (I know, duh). But this relationship with my novel reminds me just how important it is to show up. And, how hard it is … Continue reading →

How To Be Certain & Confident

Posted on by
13

There is a way to become certain and confident,–– Keep at it. Consistency breeds certainty and confidence. Keep showing up at the page to write and you will develop certainty and confidence in your writing. (You will feel certainty in your ability to do the work and confidence in your improved writing.) Keep training consistently in awakening compassion (with everyone) and you will gain certainty from this practice. (If you are compassionate only some of the time this will not generate certainty through the benefits experienced by such a practice. And, the benefits of consistency will create confidence.) A consistent … Continue reading →