Q: What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the opposite of a wannabe writer?
\nA: One who is experiencing burnout.<\/p>\n
At one end of the spectrum we have someone who says he wants to write, but who can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t discipline himself to actually sit down and write. And then there are write-a-holics\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthose who can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t not write\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwho write at every opportunity\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwho seek reasons TO write instead of looking for excuses not to write.<\/p>\n
Which writer are you? <\/p>\n
If you want to write, but you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t find the time, can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make the time, won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sacrifice anything to create the time, I suggest examining your motivation. You say that you want to write, so why don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you? What is stopping you? I know the answer to this question; you just aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t in tune with your true motivation. <\/p>\n
In order to shift from wannabe writer to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am a writer,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d you must get in touch with why you want to write? Once you discover your motivation for wanting to write, you will either begin to honor it by writing or you will realize that it is superficial and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll walk away from your writing room. <\/p>\n
To discover your true motivation, ask yourself:
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWhy do I want to write?
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWhat emotion would I be feeding?
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWhat objective, value, result, benefit do I seek?
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWhat deep or surface need\/desire would I be acknowledging?
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWhat is the purpose of the book or article I want to write?
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWhat principle would I be honoring by writing this book\/article\/story?
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWhat stops me from writing? (Make a list of obstacles.)
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tWhat fear keeps me from writing? Fear of failure? Success? Ridicule? Lack of confidence as a writer? (fill in the blank)<\/p>\n
Then there are those of you who (like me) are more likely to suffer burnout than writer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s block. You love to write and do it as often as possible. Some of you, like me, do it full-time. You can get so engrossed in a writing project that you forget to eat or pick up your kids from school. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re really on a roll, you might write all day and night like a college student cramming for an exam. And then you crash and burn. Here are some preventative measures that work for me:
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tGet plenty of sleep.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tEat right\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyou know, veggies, fruits, whole grains. Go easy on the chocolate, coffee and fast food.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tExercise regularly.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tStay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tTake regular breaks. Stretch for 5 minutes, jog around your house once an hour, vacuum a room, take a shower, brush the dog, grab a gulp of water and a piece of fresh fruit, call your mom\/sister\/husband\/son\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6, go out and get the mail, chat over the back fence with a neighbor for 10 minutes.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tExpand your creative endeavors. I garden and do needlework, for example. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be amazed at how much more creative you are as a writer when you explore other creative venues.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tAcknowledge your spirituality. Attend church, read inspirational books, meditate.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tHelp others. Taking time away from writing in order to do good only serves to enhance your writing. Try it.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2\tGet out among people often enough that you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t forget how to use your social graces. If your public attire resembles your working attire (fluffy robe and bunny slippers or holey sweats), you spend way too much time in your home office.<\/p>\n
Writing is a pleasure to some and a necessity for others. Writing for publication can thrill some while intimidating others. The writing process can feed the soul or drive you crazy. Use these prompts and tips to help you find your level of comfort as a writer whether you are still trying to find your motivation or you are bordering on burnout.<\/p>\n
For more information, resources and several books on writing and publishing visit Patricia Fry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s website at http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Q: What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the opposite of a wannabe writer? A: One who is experiencing burnout. At one end of the spectrum we have someone who says he wants to write, but who can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t discipline himself to actually sit down and write. And then there are write-a-holics\u00e2\u20ac\u201dthose who can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t not write\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwho write at every opportunity\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwho seek reasons […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t