There are basically two types of writers. There are those who can\u2019t get enough of it\u2014who are so motivated to write that they miss appointments, avoid household chores, and forget to feed their cats because they\u2019d rather be writing. Others struggle to finish a manuscript. Butt in chair is a difficult concept for them to embrace. They arrive early for appointments to avoid writing. They have a wonderfully organized office and their cats are not only fed, but groomed, manicured, and trained.<\/p>\n
Do you struggle to complete a piece of writing you\u2019ve agreed to do\u2026that you really want to do? Does life get in the way of the writing you\u2019d like to complete? Are you torn between outside tasks\/activities and writing a chapter or article? Try bribery and reward. Yes, bribe yourself to write and reward yourself for doing it.<\/p>\n
What are the things you love, love, love doing? What do you really want to accomplish around your house with your job? What obligations mean a lot to you? Use these to bribe yourself to get some writing done. Think about it, don\u2019t you feel good when you finish a chapter or a page of your book? After all, you\u2019ve decided to write it because you want to, right? It\u2019s something you truly want to do. But you\u2019re discouraged because it\u2019s going so slow\u2014because you can\u2019t discipline yourself to sit at the computer long enough without playing games and sending emails to make much headway.<\/p>\n
So, do something different. You know the drill, if it isn\u2019t broken, don\u2019t fix it. If you don\u2019t like the way something is going, stop using the same methods. Here are some of the things I and other writers have done in order to complete a writing project.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been writing full time for decades and I still follow most of these practices. I just looked them over again and I have to say, I follow all of them. I recently remodeled my office (after 25 years). It\u2019s lovely. I love being in here. I have framed many of my published book covers attractively and they hang on my walls. I have photos of family and my kitties around me, and some of the wonderful photography I\u2019ve done (a pair of eagles, a wild horse, etc.) I\u2019ve displayed a large ribbon I won at the county fair for one of my photographs and some of my awards for public speaking are tucked in here and there. Until I did the remodel, I also had a photo of me modeling with my granddaughter for a fashion show, one of me swimming with stingrays, and some memorabilia from my trip to Dubai for a speaking engagement.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s going to be hot today\u2014into the triple digits\u2014again\u2026and I want to finish some writing work I started earlier in the week. I also want to get a good walk in. I got up this morning at 4:30 with plans to write for two hours. Then I\u2019ll take my walk while it\u2019s still cool before returning to my office to finish writing.<\/p>\n
At some point today I plan to tackle a rather difficult (for me) challenge. I\u2019ve been writing fiction for only 3 years\u2014cozy mystery books. I\u2019ve decided I\u2019d like to try writing a short story. I\u2019m a little apprehensive and a bit nervous. As is human nature, I would typically procrastinate\u2014work on what I know, instead\u2014what is familiar to me and within my comfort zone. So I will be using some of the tactics above today in order to nudge myself to start the short story. I\u2019ll let you know how it goes.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, we\u2019re close to completing the work on my first Christmas story in the Klepto Cat Mystery series. I\u2019ve scheduled it for publication October 15. Although, we\u2019re ahead of schedule and I might jump the gun with it. I will be making the announcement soon. Check out all 12 of the Klepto Cat Mystery series here: http:\/\/amzn.to\/1kAI8I2<\/a><\/p>\n And if you are writing a book\u2014no matter where you are in the process\u2014be sure to check out my brand new book, Propose Your Book, How to Craft Persuasive Proposals for Nonfiction, Fiction, and Children\u2019s Books<\/em>. http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Propose-Your-Book-Persuasive-Nonfiction\/dp\/1621534677<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There are basically two types of writers. There are those who can\u2019t get enough of it\u2014who are so motivated to write that they miss appointments, avoid household chores, and forget to feed their cats because they\u2019d rather be writing. Others struggle to finish a manuscript. Butt in chair is a difficult concept for them to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","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