These quiet days of January seem perfect for my goal of writing a few times a week about what I have observed in the studio, around the house, in the classroom and about my family.
Too many weeks have passed since I made notes here about the ordinary events of the Feasting of Thanksgiving, the Preparation of Advent and the Celebration of Christmas. I have dreamed of finishing some of the sentences still floating around in my head like paintings left sitting on an easel or turned to the wall. I had even set deadlines, but somewhere there was a disconnect.
So I went back to a list by writer James Scott Bell which I saved almost two years ago about D-I-S-C-I-P-L-I-N-E -- something I handle even less well than goals or deadlines. When I opened the file, "Ten Disciplines for Fiction Writers," I immediately thought, " Yep, Motivation. And Momentum. Yes, I need that. And the nifty 350. . . wonder how 350 words translates to brush strokes?" And it was there that I found yesterday's quote: "A goal is a dream with a deadline."
I looked at each of the ten headings and pulled a sentence which simplified it for me. (with apologies to Mr. Bell.)
- Motivation - Find your own ritual that gets your juices flowing, and don't waste it.
- Momentum - You must find a way to write (create) consistently if you wish to be a working fiction writer (artist.)
- The nifty 350 - (Get) a kick start in the morning. If I don't watch it, my day can fill quickly with little tasks, distractions, interruptions, phone calls and crises of various magnitudes.
- The furious 500 - Whatever your quota is, break it down into furious chunks. . . . You can make it perfect later.
- Super Tuesday - I have designated each Tuesday to be exclusively a writing day. . . . I don't schedule appointments or pleasure trips or anything else on that day.
- Celebrate - Look for creative ways to celebrate even the smallest victories.
- A kick in the rear - Find ways to get yourself back on track if you derail.
- Keep a log - (Record) daily and weekly production. Review this log each week.
- Get Healthy - Your productivity and creativity improve with the care of your body.
- Retreat and Advance - (Assess... Create... Plan...) Then, day by day, week by week, advance on your goals, like a general in charge of an army.
Used by permission of the author. *(words in parenthesis are my addition)
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Mr. Bell's list was first published in The Writer's Digest and was included in the February 11, 2008 on-line newsletter. The full text is here.
http://www.writersdigest.com/article/10_Disciplines_for_Fiction_Writers
This article appeared in the October 2002 issue of Writer's Digest.
Both The Writer's Digest and books by James Scott Bell are excellent creative resources.
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James Scott Bell studied philosophy, creative writing, and film in
college, acted in off-Broadway theater in New York, and received his law
degree, with honors, from the University of Southern California. A
former trial lawyer, Bell is the Christy Award winning author of
Deadlock, Breach of Promise and The Trials of Kit Shannon series which
includes A Greater Glory, A Higher Justice and A Certain Truth. He lives
in Southern California with his wife, Cindy, and their two children. You
can learn more at his website: www.jamesscottbell.com.
A Kick in the Rear
iPhone photo: Winter Tree
appropriate copyrights apply
BushStrokes (c) AAB
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