Write Anyway

by PeggySue Wells @PeggySueWells

Daughter of a town marshal, and recipient of the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels. Known for her western romance series, and living in the west, she offers these tips to fellow writers.

Writers are, by nature, empathetic and passionate. They can get carried away by emotions, their own and those of other people. And they can come up with endless and valid-sounding excuses, being creative types, not to write. 

• The dog is sick. 
• My mother is driving me crazy.
• There’s a war on. 
• AIDS is running rampant in Africa. 
• Etc., etc., etc.  

The most common reason for not writing is fear of failure, or not having a solid grasp on the story. The best advice I’ve ever received – and I read it somewhere, years ago – is this: Write anyway. 

You’ve got a head cold? 

Write anyway. 

You have no clue where your material is headed? 

Write anyway and discover the best direction in the actual writing. 

You’re not sure that you can do this? 

Write anyway. 

Nora Roberts writes what she calls a discovery draft. She doesn’t worry about whether it’s good or not – she just gets it down on paper. She’s discovering the story. Having done this, she has something to work with. Too many aspiring writers cripple themselves, over-editing, nit picking, not moving on until what they’ve written is perfect. Hello. Perfectionism isn’t a goal. It’s a pitfall.

Try my other favorite trick, the List of 20. Ask yourself, what are 20 things that could happen in this book, chapter, or synopsis? Then write whatever comes to you. No judging the ideas, just put them down. I have used this successfully for many years – credit for it goes to motivational speaker Brian Tracy.

Real writers write. Lay excuses aside and put words on paper. No matter how you feel, or what is going on, write anyway.

TWEETABLE

Write Anyway . . . that's what writers do - encouragement from @PeggySueWells on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Tropical island votary and history buff, PeggySue Wells parasails, skydives, snorkels, scuba dives, and has taken (but not passed) pilot training. Writing from the 100-Acre wood in Indiana, Wells is the bestselling author of twenty-eight books including The Slave Across the Street, Slavery in the Land of the Free, Bonding With Your Child Through Boundaries, Homeless for the Holidays, and Chasing Sunrise. Optimistic dream-driver, PeggySue is named for the Buddy Holly song with the great drumbeat. At school author visits, she teaches students the secrets to writing, and speaks at events and conferences. Connect with her at www.PeggySueWells.com, on Facebook at PeggySue Wells, and Twitter @PeggySueWells.