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It often seems like my writing projects are moving at glacial speed. If that.
With this feeling in mind, I thought I needed dual dose of inspiration and motivation.
Thankfully, William Kenower and Ingrid Hicks were on-hand to provide the necessary medicine.
Both spent several minutes discussing what spurred them to write.
Ingrid's Backstory
This wife and mother of two was struggling financially, found herself going blind.
She started out as a journalist, but took a memoir writing class.
With the onset of her illness she felt her life was slipping away.
Her epiphany occurred when her children did a birthday skit of her lamenting about never writing her novel.
Her financial and parenting responsibilities didn't change--her mindset did.
Began waking up 1.5 hours earlier I order to write.
Bill's Backstory
Worked as a waiter for 17 years in order to write books. Left waiting tables in 07.
His epiphany moment came while visiting a friend in California, who suggested he become a motivational speaker and blogger.
His first gig was in Spokane, WA with the Society of Children's Writers & Illustrators. He felt he was in over his head, but managed to pull off and impromptu speech.
Met PNWA President Pam Binder and started Author Magazine.
Now I'm not sure who exactly said what during this workshop, but what follows are some snippets of advice for struggling writers.
First, a note about dreams:
If you have a dream, a sleeping dream, no one knows about it unless you tell them about it.
It doesn't exist in the physical world.
But what are the stumbling blocks that are keeping your from fulfilling your dream (in this case being a successful writer)?
The biggest block is money. People feel trapped in their careers.
Ask yourself: Is it possible to make a living as a writer?
Writing, however, doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing deal.
Some steps to whittle-down the stumbling block include:
Believe in yourself.
Make writing a priority.
Writing is a job that you can get paid for automatically while doing it.
Create an environment that pleases you and is conducive to writing.
Writing should be a friendly and pleasing experience.
Look at writing to be a journey of discovery.
Keep in mind the creative process doesn't care exactly what it is you're doing, as long as you're creating something.
Allow yourself enough time to write each scene.
Pay attention to how you feel.
Your job is to feel good!
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| (Image from: The Odyssey Online, The Beauty of a Bucket List) |
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