The Relaxed Writer

Write During the Holidays - Tip #2: Don't Consume...Create

This post is the second in a three-part series on how to stay on track with your writing during the holidays.  If you missed Write During the Holiday Tip #1 (Gift Yourself), you can find it here.

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Write During the Holidays Tip #2 - Don't Consume...Create

"Don't Consume....Create."

A rather radical proposition, I know. But this year I've come across a few families who are planning to "create, not consume."  They'll skip the malls altogether in favor of crafting and creating their own holiday gifts.

Their reasoning?  Saving money.  Spending "slow" time together.  Creating new holiday traditions and memories.

How could you apply "create, don't consume" to your writing life this holiday season?

Take the idea literally, and you might...

•  write a poem or heartfelt letter and gift it to a special friend or family member
•  write and produce a simple video script using your laptop or desktop computer

Read the concept as a metaphor, and you could...

•  put a time limit on your holiday shopping (both online and in the stores). Do this mindfully and I'd bet you could save yourself at least one weekend day.
•  invest the time you save back into your writing by devoting an afternoon or a day to sending out new queries, working on your fiction or working on your book proposal

Find ways to create a holiday experience that's meaningful to you. 

If a slower, more inward holiday experience appeals to you, see how you can slow things down for yourself and your family this holiday.  If you're someone who loves the holiday bustle, enjoy it all but deliberately counter-balance the energy you're spending "out there" with several deliberate writing sessions each week.

The real tip today is to be intentional.  Take a little time to consider which holiday commitments and activities support your goals and vision for your holiday.  Then invest your time and energy in having fun AND honoring your writing.

I'm here to support you.

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What do you think?  Leave your comments below.  And stay tuned for the 3rd and final "How to Write During the Holidays" tip - coming soon.

 

 

Write During the Holidays - Tip #1: Gift Yourself

No doubt you've noticed that there's a lot competing for your attention this time of year.

Sparkly window displays.  Expectations. Scores of red and green discount coupons.

Amidst the hustle and fun, how do you stay on track with your writing projects? 

Join me for "Write During the Holidays" - a 3-part series designed to help you stay on track with your writing (even if you're busy shopping for sweaters). 

Read on for Tip #1:  Gift Yourself.

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Get Your Writing Done During the Holidays Tip #1:  Gift Yourself

The holidays are a natural time to focus on others.  But what about you?  Specifically....what about your own writing dreams and career plans?

You serve others better when you're actively honing our talents and working at your craft. 

Get used to the idea that it's okay to devote time to your writing.  Not only "okay," but beneficial to everyone in your life.

An way to get to the writing desk more easily is to do the work you love and reinforce the benefits you experience whenever you invest your time into writing.

Try this simple exercise.  Before, during and after your writing sessions, remind yourself:

• "A fulfilled writer is a better parent."

• "A fulfilled writer is a better friend /significant other."

• "A fulfilled writer is a better boss/employee/freelance business owner."

• "A fulfilled and writer is a happier person."

A happier you is the ultimate holiday gift, wouldn't you say?

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What do you think?  Leave your comments below. And please stay tuned later this week more holiday tips for writers. 

In the meantime, consider joining me and a group of excited, hopeful and ready-to-work writers for four days of training calls & two days of private and group coaching in December.

Join "Two Days to Write" and you can pick up some seriously useful writing, productivity and mindset strategies to use long after your two-day intensive is over.  You can learn more and register here:  http://www.twodaystowrite.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Gratitude: A Simple Game and a Few Lovely Links for Writers

I'm usually a chirpy, early riser.  If I didn't share a cozy cabin-of-a-house with my husband, kid and cat, I'm quite certain I would wake up singing.  Literally.

But yesterday morning? 

No way.

I'd been up late the night before, working myself into wakefulness fretting about a few people I love, rewriting reality to suit me better (good luck with that one, right?), stressing out over my big to-do list and worrying over a big organizing project I'd been putting off. 

Then I turned my attention to my daughter's immediate and far-off future. I freaked out about it all--for no good reason at all. 

And when my alarm went off the next day, I was not chirpy.   Or "sing-y." 

I was grumpy.

And I really couldn't afford to be.  I had a sweet family to breakfast with and a full schedule of private clients to coach once I left the house. 

I needed to get out of the "stuck place" so I could move on with my day.

Playing "Ten Things"

Life and meditation and coaching have taught me to take perspective when I'm feeling hijacked by fear or anxiety.  Rather than buy into the negativity and let it immobilize me, most of the time I try to gently shift my thinking.

One of the simplest way I know is to play "Ten Things I'm Grateful For."

Sp yesterday I stayed in bed 5 extra minutes, doing my best to survey my life and all the great things in it. 

"One, I'm grateful for my healthy body…"

(Playing "10 Things" always feels a bit awkward at first.  Usually don't let myself quit until I get to ten.)

"Two, I'm grateful for my family…"

I don't know how this game works, but it does. 

By the time I got to Number 10, I didn't feel perfect.  But I felt a little suprised at all the good stuff. 

And I felt better!

…Good enough to greet my little daughter and sleepy husband with kindness.

…Good enough to coach my clients.

…Good enough to write a few short pieces that really needed to be written.

…Good enough to draft this post for you.

I'm not promising your obstacles will melt away magically.  But a heart filled with gratitude has a little more agility, a little more ability to move freely and respond to life in helpful ways. 

When you need to write but are feeling too antsy or afraid of the page, try practicing gratitude by playing "Ten Things."  Try it, too, when you're driving home from work or waiting in line at the grocery store.   Ask your lover or friend to play along with you.

You deserve a happy heart.
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Lovely Links for Writers

In the spirit of feeling great about your life and writing, I wanted to share a few links to help you reconnect to your writing happy place -- that wonderful space where gratitude and possibility meet...

Writing to Change the World -  Carolyn Rubenstein
http://www.abeautifulrippleeffect.com/2011/10/writing-to-change-the-world/

Become a Better Writer by Practicing Gratitude - Jeff Goins
http://writeitsideways.com/become-a-better-writer-by-practicing-gratitude/

3 Ways to Recharge Your Writing Dream - (mine)
http://marla.typepad.com/the_relaxed_writer/2010/08/writing-dream-recharge.html

Grateful?  Now, go do something. - Judy Stone-Goodman
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/feeling-grateful-and-hungry-put-them-together-to-help-those-in-need/

Enjoy your day and thanks for reading.  Feel free to share your thoughts and comments below.

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Two Days to Write, Two Days to Query: a December coaching intensive, now enrolling!

Two days to write...

Two days to revise...

Two days to query...

Two days to finish a long-postponed writing project...

Two days to explore a new direction in your writing career...

If you're ready to jump-start your writing, I'm ready to help.

No matter how you want to use your time, I've created an inspiring, practical and effective coaching program to help you get your writing DONE before the new year.

Two Days to Write, my coaching and writing intensive, is now enrolling for December. 

If you'd the chance to learn and apply new productivity techniques with the help of a coach and the support of like-minded fellow writers, please check it out.  As of this writing, I've got 6 openings for the one-on-one, private coaching option.  If you'd like my direct support as you head into the new writing year, the Two Days to Write premium option is an affordable (and fun) way for us to work together.

Thanks for reading today.  I'm wishing you a productive rest of the year, no matter how you choose to pursue your writing goals.

The "Almost-Done" Predicament: a Take Action Challenge for Writers

Do you have an inventory of almost-done writing projects?  (Most of us do.)

If you're up for today's take action challenge, go ahead and grab a piece of paper and a pencil.  (Go ahead, I'll wait!)

Here's a funky monkey to get you in the right frame of mind.  :-)

1.  Now...quickly jot down a list of open projects. 

• That "just needs a polish" personal essay?  Write it down.
• Same with your unwritten ebook.
• Add your "send more queries" project to the list.
• And don't forget to include your poems, short stories and other creative writing projects.

2.  Review your list for anything you've left out.  (You might want to get up and thumb through your file cabinet for a minute or two to jog your memory.)   At this point, most writers are surprised at the number of items on their lists!

3.  Take a look at what you've got.  I'm guessing you've got one, two or more very important writing projects on your list, right?  Circle them. 

4.  Now jot down a phrase or two to describe the benefits you'll enjoy when you wrap these projects up.  For example:

• Add a new income stream to my freelance business.
• Publish my story in a magazine I admire.
• Earn more money / get more writing assignments.
• Use my talents to do what I'm meant to do (creative writing).

5.  Circle all the projects you're actively working on in a given week. 

6.  Now choose one project -- a single, finish-able project -- that you could realistically complete before December 31st.

• What would it feel like to have this project wrapped up and done?
• What new opportunities would it open up for you?
• What challenges would you need to overcome to get it DONE?

7.  Jot down two simple actions you can take this week to start working on -- and finishing -- that important writing project. 

8. Write down a few simple steps you can take to get the help you need. Some suggestions:

• Call a friend or colleague and arrange to be each other's accountability buddy.
• Clean your office.  :)
• Join an online forum to meet new writers.
• If you need more writing time, get your hands on my free "Making Time to Write" ecourse for writers.  I'll lead you through 5 simple lessons designed to help you start shifting the way you think about time and writing.
• If you need help prioritizing your projects and following through, get my simple, easy to implement strategies to help you get your writing done. Join me tomorrow for a free productivity teleclass for writers.  (Details below.)

Chip away at your 6-week writing goal with simple, consistent actions.  You'll feel great knowing you're writing what matters most and if you follow through with your plans, you'll have a completed writing project and a sparkling clean slate for the new year. 

You can do this!

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FREE TELECLASS FOR WRITERS: 

"Get It Done:  3 Keys to Following Through with Your Important Writing Plans"

In this free, one-hour class I'll share practical tips and strategies to help you:

• finally stop postponing your big-picture writing projects
• follow through with your writing plans in 3 simple steps
• create serious writing momentum and jumpstart your writing project (making you feel GREAT again) -- even in the midst of a busy professional life or freelance writing career

I'll also set aside time at the end of the call to answer your questions about the class content and my upcoming "Two Days to Write" coaching and writing intensive. 

Details about the teleclass:

• class meets Thursday, November 17 at 11am PT / 2pm ET
• if you can't make the call, you can still listen in by registering below for an MP3 recording (free to download and keep)
• save on long-distance by dialing in via a local number, Skype or webcast

Get It Done:  3 Keys to Following Through with Your Writing Plans

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Note:  I respect your privacy as my own.  Your registration includes a complimentary copy of my monthly email newsletter, The Relaxed Writer.

One Good Reason to Go For That Bigger, Better Writing Assignment (plus, a new free teleclass)

A few announcements for you today:

• Learn More About Overwhelm and Freelancing:  Today Linda Formichelli published "Are You an Overwhelmed Freelancer?  Marla Beck Tells You How to Beat the Overwhelm and Kick Butt" today, an interview with me over at her excellent blog for writers, The Renegade Writer. Read about the power of a "two-day marketing push" and please stop by and say hello!

• Get Help Staying Accountable to Your Own Writing Projects:  I've created a brand-new teleclass for writers who have trouble following through with their own writing plans.  Sound familiar?  Click here or scroll down to learn more and sign up for the free call and a copy of the MP3 recording.

• Get Motivated to Go for What You Really Want:  And now, a not-so-obvious benefit to going for that bigger, better writing assignment.  Read on for more.

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One Very Good Reason to Go for That Bigger, Better Writing Assignment

You know this already: that well-crafted and thoroughly researched pitch, lovely seedling that it is, may not land you the first "bigger, better" writing assignment you're going for. 

But even if your pitch is rejected, keep watchful for the many healthy offshoots that often spring up as a result of you taking decisive action and bravely sending out that pitch:

• Your research may yield a thicket of intriguing new story ideas. 
• You may learn something new about the craft of writing successful queries, saving yourself time and wasted effort in the future.
• Your contact with the publication may spark a potentially fruitful relationship with the editor in the future.
• Re-slanted or reworked, your pitch may likely find a more suitable home in another bigger-'n-better writing market.

There are many good reasons to go for a bigger, better writing assignment.  The ones I've mentioned above I call "meta-results" - potentially positive, career-building outcomes sparked by the decisive actions you take today.

The trick to "meta-results" is to consciously look for them. 

Don't let yourself get so focused on the answer an assigning editor gives you that you miss all the good things you’re learning and doing as a writer.  Savor these positive movements in your writing career.

Widen Your View

Train yourself to widen your view and see more than just the ("Yes!") outcome you're expecting. 

Do so and you'll see that regardless of the potential financial and professional gains, the process of going for a bigger, better writing assignment becomes valuable in and of itself.

Get busy and start going for your writing dreams.  If you pay close-enough attention, you'll be able to do the happy dance whether your pitch is accepted this time...or not.

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Join Me for A Free Teleclass

"Get It Done: 3 Keys to Following Through with Your Most Important Writing Plans"

Thursday, November 17th at 11am PT (2pm ET)

call in via Skype, telephone or listen online with your computer

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(Please note:  when you register for this class, you will also recieve a complimentary subscription to my monthly ezine, The Relaxed Writer.  Can't make it Thursday?  Register anyways for a free MP3 recording of the teleclass.