Authors Tools Blog

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We are starting the last week in January. By this time a lot of people have abandoned the goals they set for the new year. Have you made any progress on your writing goals for 2009?

If you’ve fallen behind, don’t beat yourself up about it. Start where you are now to get back on track.

Author Diana Duncan sent me this quote recently. I’d never heard it, but it struck a chord with me.

Annie Dillard: Writing a book is like taming a lion - every day you stay out of the cage, it’s more dangerous to step inside.

It’s really true that writing can be like taming lions. The longer you are away from it, the harder it is to sit down and put your hands on the keyboard.

Here are a few ways to get back on track and make writing a daily habit.

• Pick a time to sit and write for 10 or 15 minutes everyday
• Call or email a writing friend and set your goals for the week together
• Check in with your writing buddy at the end of the week to compare progress
• Meet a friend for a write-in
• Have a word war with an online friend
  • Pick a start time
  • Write for 10, 15, or 30 minutes
  • See who can write the most words during that time

The more often you write, the easier it will be. Writing can really become a habit that you don’t want to break. You can become twitchy if you are unable to write every day.

Start out by writing a little every day. You will build up your writing muscles. You’ll find yourself writing more and more every day.

Promise yourself that today you will make progress toward your writing goals. A few words every day will mean a big difference at the end of the year.

Stop surfing the web now. Go write a few words!

Write on,

Lynn