How Successful Writers Get Things Done

By: Unknown - [writing]

We share what we know, so that others may grow."

"If you have knowledge, let others light their candle to it.

- Margaret Fuller

That's a metaphore, btw!

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HOW SUCCESSFUL WRITERS GET THINGS DONE

by Craig Lock

I've mentioned those 'D' words before: DESIRE, DEDICATION and DISCIPLINE. Successful writers set goals and work away steadily and unobtrusively (nice long word, like 'earthmoving-contractor') each day.

It may be writing a page or an article, or 500 words a day. I just write and stop when I feel like it - either when I get tired* or bored. * I could have used the word 'fatigued', but 'tired' was simpler. Just put in the effort.

If not, write two pages about living on the inside of an eyeball. My great friend Donovan wrote about that one... and he wasn't high - he's always just like that (as in wearing two left shoes to work - oops, sorry) - true! And * I knew him when I was a "straight insurance man", many years before I became a "funny intellectual arty-farty writer type".

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You've heard the term WRITER'S BLOCK? It's when your mind goes blank and you can't get going, no matter how hard you try for words of inspiration.. You stare at a blank sheet of paper for hours on end waiting for inspiration... but nothing comes... except the cat with muddy paws walks all over your blank masterpiece. That's just happened to me! You then resort to pulling your hair out (is that why most writers are bald?) or kicking the cat? Is this why most writers are broke paying reparations to the SPCA?

* HOW TO OVERCOME WRITER'S BLOCK

Stress and adverse personal circumstances (like financial worries or relationship difficulties - an occupational difficulty of being a writer!) can easily stifle your creative imagination.

My advice: Take a break (not from the relationship!) and relax (for as long as it takes - perhaps even a few months). Inspiration will come to you some day. If it doesn't eventually return, then you will know you didn't have the dedication to become a writer. However, if writing is your job, like mine, I make sure I'm inspired at 7am every morning (it's now 4am), because I have no choice to pay the bills and alimony to my 7 previous wives (and I'm not an African king!). Inspiration comes from SELF-DISCIPLINE. Then, when the words eventually come, you run outside naked shouting,' Eureka, Eureka!'... and you should see the looks on the neighbours faces. That "rather weird, intellectual and serious arty-farty writer-type" next door. Why doesn't he get a "proper job" ( = "just on broke"), like us practical and very down to earth Kiwis in rural New Zealand?

* What's the difference between a writer and a family pizza?

The family pizza can feed a rather hungry family of three ... or ONE starving writer writing away in his garret munching on a carrot!

What's the definition of an aspiring author? A waiter!

I hope that you have enjoyed my "funny, warped and zany" sense of humour with a few chuckles along the way reading this article. And* hope this information may be helpful to you in your creative writing.

Happy writing and have great fun in doing it... as I've done in this article.

Craig Lock

* Can I begin a sentence with the conjunctive (now that's an impressive word - hope I've used it correctly), "And".

Yes you can, Craig!

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P.S: "My writing mission is through my words to inform, illuminate, entertain, uplift, delight, as well as hopefully even inspiring people. I aim to do this by sharing my knowledge and life experiences. I hope to have achieved this aim in the above article.

Happy writing

Craig Lock http://www.craiglock.com

"If a man has talent and cannot use it, he has failed. If he has a talent and uses only half of it, he has partly failed. If he has a talent and learns somehow to use the whole of it, he has gloriously succeeded and has a satisfaction and a triumph few men ever know." - Thomas Wolfe

"Everyone has a talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads."

- Erica Jong

The "original" Online Creative Writing Course http://www.nzenterprise.com/writer/creative.html

The various books that Craig Lock "felt inspired to write" are available at: http://www.bridgeniche.com

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