Thursday, October 28, 2010

P.S. The Rules



More on Rules for Writing

Thanks to all who provided input on Monday's post about writing rules! I value your thoughts, and appreciate the time it takes to stop by and comment.

It seems that I was on target with my short list, which included:

1) Practice writing
2) Stay connected
3) Keep learning
4) Give back

So what else?

Your two cents added up to more great guidelines:
  • Fighting and working through discouragement - several of you brought this one up.             
  • "Don't get the big head" (my paraphrase) - keeping that ego from thinking too highly of itself.
  • Read an assortment of things often, to enrich, provide a bigger worldview, and generate ideas.
  • Pray. Divine guidance. For me, always a given.
  • Let it rest. Don't be in a hurry to submit after the last word is typed. A new day provides fresh perspective.
  • Trim it up! Our best work has usually been cut, cut, and cut some more.
  • Keep a positive outlook. Ties in with fighting through discouragement.
  • Chill. Don't get defensive about feedback. Let it settle in and then process.
  • Chocolate. Yes! How could I have forgotten this one? Silly me.

Do you have anything else to add? When was the last time you were discouraged with your writing? What did you do about it?

 Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,

Karen


Photo credit: dbgeorge http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1086794

28 comments :

  1. Hello :)

    I can also apply those rules to my photography, thanks Karen. Big hug and blessings. xxx

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  2. Discouragement and elation are daily things for me. LOL Good list!

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  3. When was the last time? Um. Yesterday? LOL>

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  4. I love the list. For me the addition would be...just start. :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  5. These are all such great bulletpoints! For any who needs a quick sum-up to stayed focused, this is it.

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  6. Discouraged? Recently, as I realize I now must write an even better story to follow my book.

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  7. Raymonde,
    Yes! These principles apply to many things, including your photography (which is wonderful, btw:)

    Jessica,
    It can be an up and down thing, that's for sure. Hopefully the ups outweigh the downs:)

    Heather,
    Thank you. Oh, and Happy Birthday! :)

    Terri,
    Well, perhaps things will be more encouraging today. :)

    Jules,
    Thanks! Yes, just start - a very good point.

    Janna,
    Thank you:) I know it helps me to go back to the basics for encouragement and all.

    Alex,
    Ah yes, I can imagine the feeling. But I am confident that you will do well on your next book!

    Blessings all,
    Karen

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  8. Great list Karen. Im waiting for an edit on my novel and Im trying not to anticipate being discouraged at all the changes. Accepting the aspects of the game, that are bound to come, as challenges instead of a brick walls helps. As for giving back, that's my dream for the conference Im heading up. We need each other.
    Blessings.
    www.inwchristianwriters.webs.com

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  9. All are great suggestions and sound advice! Happy weekend! :O)

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  10. Very good list, Karen. I'd replace chocolate with a mocha, though. :)

    Happy Thursday,

    R.

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  11. GREAT list!!
    Hmm...I think I get discouraged on a weekly basis. More self-doubt than anything. I let it rest a bit and it's usually not as bad as I thought it was. :)

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  12. Jan,
    Thank you! You'll have to let me know how your edits go.

    Diane,
    Yes, we did get great points! Happy weekend to you:)

    Rhonda,
    Well, we can expand the list to include mocha! :)

    Jennifer,
    Thanks so much:) I agree, when we let it rest it sounds better.

    Blessings everyone,
    Karen

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  13. Nothing to add for now Karen, great list!! Enjoy your weekend!

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  14. Aw, geez, chocolate. Of course! How could I overlook that?? You're brilliant!

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  15. Great list, Karen :-) For me I might add, enjoy the process. The journey is as important as the destination...

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  16. Hi Karen -

    I'm working on not letting my emotions rule me. Yeah, I know it's not easy.

    If I have to choose, I'd say, "I'm in a hopeful, waiting mode."

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  17. Marja,
    Thanks so much! You too:)

    Lisa,
    Well, actually Susan R. mentioned it, so I can't take the credit. Yes, and how DID we overlook it??

    Kenda,
    Thank you. Ah yes, this is very important. Thanks for bringing it up!

    Susan,
    That's a good way to put it; I like that! :)

    Blessings to each of you,
    Karen

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  18. For me: knowing when to walk away. =)

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  19. Hello Karen,

    Thank you for getting a wonderful dialog going about writing. One of the things I have to keep reminding myself is that right now I'm writing... I'm writing when I post a blog entry; I'm writing when I email someone; I'm writing when I write in my journal; and I'm often thinking of writing when I fall asleep at night. However, I have to keep reminding myself that sitting down to write a book is simply setting aside all other writing for that time period... otherwise blogging or writing emails gets the most creative energy, while the book project gets set on the back burner. However, all of it is practice for when we do sit down to our writing projects.

    Giving back is so important... thank you for the reminder.

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  20. Wonderful list, Karen. Agree with all of it.

    Btw..there is an award for you on my blog.

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  21. Hi Karen .. try mind mapping your thoughts .. thanks - just done that .. rightly or wrongly! for my latest post .. but found it useful.

    Have a good weekend .. Hilary

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  22. The hardest part of writing for me is getting started back to writing after I've been away from it, as I have been recently. To get started back up I have to read and get more ideas.

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  23. Shannon,
    Oh yes, this is a good one, and should be added to the list!

    Saloma,
    This is true. I know I feel like sometimes all I get to are blog posts. It is still writing:)

    Rachna,
    Thank you so much! That is so sweet of you, and much appreciated.:)

    Hilary,
    Thanks, will have to check out your latest post:)

    Diane,
    These two things are a must, that's for sure!

    Warren,
    Sometimes this is a challenge for me too. And I need to make the time.

    Blessings to all,
    Karen

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  24. Let it rest. This is an absolute. Everything always looks different a day later, even my writing. And chocolate, the darker the better!

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  25. Love the lists both on this post and your last one! I get discouraged at least once a week, either because I haven't given myself enough time to write, or because I feel like I write myself into a hole at least once a week. But then, I just have to write myself a ladder, or pray my way out, and I'm on the right path again.
    As far as arrogance goes . . . I have to admit there are days when I think something is "good enough" and submit that writing to a publication, only to realize the next day that I should have let it rest a day before thinking I had polished all that I could have polished.
    Happy Writing Karen!

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  26. Linda,
    Yes, I think I need to do this more often. As for chocolate, I'm with you, the darker the better! :)

    Tyrean,
    I like what you said "write myself a ladder". I'll have to remember that!

    Blessings,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!