Day 14, Monday, March 14th

Writivation

“The Book is more important than your plans for it. You have to go with what works for The Book ~ if your ideas appear hollow or forced when they are put on paper, chop them, erase them, pulverise them and start again. Don't whine when things are not going your way, because they are going the right way for The Book, which is more important. The show must go on, and so must The Book.” 
― E.A. Bucchianeri

"Rubbish! Simply rubbish!" That's what several entire chapters looked like this morning. Not a great way to feel, especially when hoping to pitch the manuscript in a few days. I closed my computer in disgust and headed to the shower. Then the thought came: Remember the actress in the latest Star Wars saying, "Oh! That's the version of that scene they used!"

In the best films, many hours of hard work end up on the cutting room floor. But the early work must be done in order to capture the best "gems" of really fine work. Think about it: gemstones are usually buried under layers of sand and dirt, embedded in solid rock. Then, they need cutting, polishing, and light shining on them before they sparkle.

Audiences, (or readers) don't want to go through all that effort. They want it already done for them. To produce a really fine piece of work, we've got to wade through the trash. Sometimes, it's "recyclable" garbage -- and can be used somewhere. Other times, it needs to be taken to the dump. As creators, we must do whatever we must, to let those gems shine.

The shower is a really wise teacher, don't you think? - J.M. Clark

Creativity Kick-Starter

Will work for cookies

FREE ILLUSTRATORS

Color pictures with your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, students, etc. then write a story based on the images. To make it extra special fun, have the kids tell you a story based on the images then turn it use it as the basis for your story. I think you’ll find they have a greater appreciation and investment in your writing afterward.

Share your new illustrated manuscript with us on the Tumblr page. (The link is just below the Writing Sprint.)

- PJ Switzer

Writing Sprint

(Listen to the songs and see what stories they inspire)

or

Let's get the mojo going. 

Set your timer for 15 minutes 
and write fast & furious. 
- PJ Switzer

Ready. Set. Go!

Share your sprint on our Tumblr page:

 http://anwawritingsprints.tumblr.com

Productivity Pointers

No one will die if the living room looks like this when you
go to bed tonight. Although, you may want to wear shoes if
you walk around that room.

LET IT GO!

Curse you Disney for taking that powerful idea and making it into the most infectious song ever written!

But seriously, sometimes you really do have to let things go. If you’re going to spend time writing it means you’re not going to have that time for other things, like cleaning, or watching TV. And that’s okay.

Your writing is important. Don’t let it fall to the wayside because you’re worried about a spotless bathroom.

- PJ Switzer

LINKS TO LOOK AT:

No links to today. We want you to share the links to your blogs instead.

Return & Report
Do you have a blog? Share the link with us.