by Cathy Fyock @CathyFyock
The Solution
What do you do to encourage your petulant child
to choose to write? How can you
change “I have to write” to “I get to write”?
TWEETABLES
Now, make a choice. Choose to Write - @CathyFyock on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Do you struggle against sitting down and #writing? Author @CathyFyock has some tips for you (Click to Tweet)
Cathy Fyock is The Business Book Strategist, and works with professionals and thought leaders who want to write a book as a business development strategy. She is the author of eight books, including Blog2Book: Repurposing Content to Discover the Book You’ve Already Written. She can be reached at Cathy@CathyFyock.com.
The Struggle
Sometimes I feel like
a petulant child when I sit down to write. “I don’t want to write,” the child
complains. “I want to play games and have fun.”
I’ve tried to
discipline the child and tell her that this is for her own good, that she needs
to buckle down and get her work done, but she protests even more. I set up
rules for her to write so many words, and I promise her a treat if she
complies. Or I tell her that she can play a game when she’s been at the
keyboard for at least thirty minutes. But she whines and procrastinates and
fails to produce anything of value.
But wait, I think. I need to use a little
of Tom Sawyer’s fence-painting approach. “Hey,” I say. “Wouldn’t it be fun
to write that story you’ve been thinking about? Wouldn’t you like to see that
piece published? You can do it if you choose
to.”
And that’s the hook.
I’ve given her a choice. I’ve outlined for her the value of making this choice.
Are you sitting down
to write and establishing rules for your compliance? Are you finding that the
child inside you is resisting your attempts to do the adult thing and get your
work done? Perhaps, you, too, need to use a little Tom Sawyer psychology and
let your inner child know that this is not a command, but a choice. And it can
be a fun choice.
First, outline in your
mind all the benefits of writing. You’ll see your book in print. You’ll be able
to grow your business, get booked for those high profile speaking engagements,
garner media attention. Find the benefit that is most compelling and latch onto
that.
Next, outline in your
mind the fun parts of writing. You’ll lose yourself when you get in the flow.
You’ll discover some new ideas. You’ll enjoy the mental game of finding the
ideal word or phrase.
Now, review the things
you thought you wanted to do instead of write. Is playing one more round of
Free Cell really that fun? Aren’t you getting tired of having your friend kick
your butt in Words with Friends? Isn’t your desk clean enough?
Now, make a choice.
Choose to write.
See, it wasn’t that
hard. And now it’s done. And now you have something to show for your time and
effort. Now you have that chapter written.
Choose to write.
TWEETABLES
Now, make a choice. Choose to Write - @CathyFyock on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Do you struggle against sitting down and #writing? Author @CathyFyock has some tips for you (Click to Tweet)
Cathy Fyock is The Business Book Strategist, and works with professionals and thought leaders who want to write a book as a business development strategy. She is the author of eight books, including Blog2Book: Repurposing Content to Discover the Book You’ve Already Written. She can be reached at Cathy@CathyFyock.com.
Cathy, Thank you, I needed this today. I don't want to write, never did. I do it out of obedience to God. I have a vivid imagination, stories come easy. But, take the time to write when I can be on the beach collecting glass? Please pray that I chose to write...I get to write!
ReplyDeleteYes! Keep praying, "I GET to write!"
DeleteThis is exactly where I have been lately. Thank you for the boost of encouragement. I needed it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad this resonated with you, Susan. I have never really LOVED writing, but I do LOVE what writing does for my business! And, the more I do, the more I enjoy the process.
DeleteWow, Cathy! I needed to read this badly. Thank you spooooo much! Yes, today I get to write!
ReplyDeleteYes, we GET to write! Woo hoo!
Delete