Wednesday, January 28, 2015

What is Your Writing Battlefront?

by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Do you know your opposing army in the world of writing and publishing? Because if you don’t know who is against you, you will fail miserably. Perhaps you have no idea who’d ever want you not to write a bestseller or have your blog or tweet not go viral. We all have fellow writers who are determined to deepen their craft, master social media, create a phenomenal website, and spread good will to readers and other writers. 

We’re all forced to get involved with the battlefront. Those who are prominent in the industry are writers we want to emulate. We treasure their discipline and genuinely want them to continue pleasing readers. In short, we want to be just like them. Since we are dealing with friends and peers, how does a writer approach the publishing battlefront?

An army is trained physically and strategically to win. So let me give you a few tips on how to train for success. 

Train for Writing Success
  • Physically. Yes, solider! This means keeping our bodies fit by eating nutritionally sound and exercising. Put a healthy plan in action, and you’ll never be disappointed. Plus your body will thank you.
  • Mentally. Soldiers understand the first battle of any engagement is fought in the mind. Confidence builds stamina and determination. You can be a successful writer. Believe it.
  • Spiritually. God is our General. When we spend time with the One who gives us our marching orders, we’re able to put our trust where it really counts.
  • Intellectually. Writing is learning on a professional level daily. Sometimes it’s hour by hour. Every soldier studies those who have a reputation as unbeatable. We lose our status when we refuse to fill our minds with information. The publishing industry is constantly changing, and those adjustments need our attention: publisher’s requirements, publishing methods, reader relationships, social media, marketing, promotion, and an awareness of the world around us.

Accept the fact we can be our own worst enemies. But when we practice these four simple training maneuvers, we’ll be victors and raise our flags high.

What battles do you find most difficult in your writing life? Be sure to share your thoughts below.

Don't forget to join the conversation!
DiAnn

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DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

8 comments:

  1. As a Veteran I loved this. Thank you for the analogy Great tools for a new writer like myself.

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    1. Hi Cherrilynn, You are so welcome. We writers need a battlefront plan!

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  2. I figured out a good plan for me. In the morning, I sit with Hubs in the morning, having coffee and while he listens to the news, I do email. I get it out of the way before going into my office. Then after my quiet time, I start writing. But I have to turn off email. If I leave it on, I'm distracted.

    It's strange, I can write in a noisy coffee shop without being distracted, but email? Nope. Gotta check it and get it out of the way. It's my biggest obstacle.

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  3. I turn off my email too - it's like a temptress when I'm supposed to be writing. :)

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  4. Another veteran here! I loved this post. The enemy I engage is making the time. Every soldier knows each of every day is structured to the hilt. After a few decades, the memory of waking abruptly to lights on at five am, making my bunk and getting dressed in time to be in formation at 5:30, and jogging to the mess hall where I had to gulp down my food in record time sticks with me. With my stomach in knots, I realized this had to be. If we were in a real-life war, there's no time for lolly-gagging. I need to take on this routine (taken down a few notches of course...I'm a civilian after all) when it comes to writing and everything else I've got going.

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    1. Linda, your words of wisdom and experience need to stick with all of us. Thanks for posting!

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  5. Loved this post, DiAnn! I struggle with the battle of finding time to devote to writing. That other job gets in the way! :-) However, I know it's not finding the time...but making the time! I'm learning how to put things aside. I'm marching on! Thanks for continued encouragement.

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  6. Hi Darlene, thanks for posting. Yes, we march on, battle scars and all!

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