Just write garbage

Captain’s Log, Stardate 04.08.2005

Writing: I’ve been realizing that my writing discipline needs work. I don’t get it. I was so disciplined in February and the early part of March. And now I’m slacking.

I always thought writing was all creativity. Through my online groups I discovered it’s 50% marketing, too, once you get published, and often even before the book hits the shelves. Now I’m learning that it’s also plain old-fashioned DISCIPLINE. The same discipline I needed to do my chores, finish my homework, practice piano. I remember those days. Writing is much more interesting than washing dishes, so why can’t I forego temptations like “Alias” and “Lost” and work on my manuscript?

I’ve realized that once I force myself to start, to sit and write even though it’s only garbage appearing on the computer screen, then after a while the writing gets easier and better. It’s forcing myself to stare at my manuscript Word document that’s hard, especially when there’s all these interesting conversations on my writers discussion loops.

I think I will print out a sign to put on my computer to remind me: JUST WRITE GARBAGE.

I did some writing today at work while I waited for the FACS machine to count my cells. It was really cool. When I’m doing mindless things, I go into some kind of zen mode and the words just flow. I wished I had a laptop to record it on instead of writing it out by hand.

In talking tonight with one of my husband’s friends, she mentioned that writing is actually a nurturing activity. I had said that I am hoping my writing will help others seek Christ--not necessarily conversions or anything like that, but if I lift Christ up, He will draw people to Himself, whether it’s deepening their walk or meeting Him for the first time.

She said, “Well, that’s nurturing.” A mother helps a child to grow, I want to help others to grow in Christ.

This is significant for me, who thought I didn’t have a nurturing bone in my body. After all, young children make me run away screaming. There might be hope for me yet.

Diet: Can you say, Thai food? But I did stop when my stomach sent up a protest. Also, I ran a little with the dog today. Another two areas I need discipline: eating and exercising.

Comments

Heather Diane Tipton said…

LOL Hun, I could have told you that you had a nurturing bone in your body evn if kids make you run screaming! It's there, the nurturing thing, you just don't see it or accept it.

why can't you forego temptations like alias and lost? Cuz they are dang good shows! *gg*

Sat Apr 09, 10:55:00 AM 2005

I’m done

Captain’s Log, Stardate 05.17.2006 Blog book giveaway: My Thursday book giveaway is THE PREACHER’S DAUGHER by Lyn Cote My Monday book giveaway is BLIND DATES CAN BE MURDER by Mindy Starns Clark . You can still enter both giveaways. Just post a comment on each of those blog posts. On Thursday, I'll draw the winner for THE PREACHER’S DAUGHTER and post the title for another book I'm giving away. Stay tuned. I’m done. At the beginning of the year, I made a goal of three books this year. That’s four months per book. I started this manuscript January 15th. I finished in the wee hours of May 17th, so it took me about four months, a day and a few hours. Yay me. I’m going to bed now. Yes, this is the espresso maker on the right, and a professional coffee grinder on the left. By the espresso maker, I mean the one I promised to my long-suffering husband if I got a book contract, as a reward for letting me quit my biotech job and write full-time.

I GOT A CONTRACT!

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Ironman

Captain's Log, Stardate 11.12.2008 I realize I’m late in posting this, but I just saw Ironman a couple weeks ago and it was FABULOUS! It was the most entertaining movie I’ve seen in a long time. I even liked it better than Mr. and Mrs. Smith (although that flick is a close second). I think because the acting was great. Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow were fantastic. I especially liked how the Pepper character is an older woman with more maturity than, say, MaryJane in Spiderman . Pepper was strong, intelligent, and relatively cool under fire. And did you guys catch the Easter Egg at the end of the credits??? Awesome!!!

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