Teacher! Cath cannot resist when writers bring you particularly instructive write-ups. I’ve had the joy of meeting these writers when their first books came out, and the wonderful thing about both Jeaniene and Maggie is that success has not *sniff* changed the sincerity with which they come across on the Internet. 🙂
In seriousness, though, these are excellent articles with instructive advice, and I really encourage you to take a look.
Jeaniene Frost brings you a comprehensive article on Advice for Writers, or Everything Jeaniene Knows about Getting Published. Jeaniene has put together a great series of links from her journal trying to comprehensively answer reader questions about the entire process. It’s a great orientation and one stop shop for those general questions that an author might have as they start the zany journey in the right direction. I admire Jeaniene for putting the links together, and for being accessible.
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Additionally, Maggie Stiefvater writes a thought-provoking article on time management. And it’s really good stuff.
I was impressed by number three, priorities. And I have to say that since I decided to make writing a priority in my life, rather than letting everything else happen first, it has made a huge different. It really was a matter of deciding how I wanted to spend my time and then doing that, rather than lamenting how much time I didn’t have to write. I agree totally with Maggie on that one.
Doing what you love is also a point well-made. Many of us turn writing into a psychologically twisted, guilt ridden thing. It’s work to right, sure it is. It is also uplifting, soulful, and creative on occasion. If I didn’t enjoy it overall, I wouldn’t do it. I feel much the same about teaching.
Maggie’s post is a good touchstone for writers who need to remember that they can do it, or perhaps remember why they started doing it.
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*dust hands* Well, that’s Monday’s entry done. With much less fuss than usual too.
Catherine
