Just Write It!

by Crystal Bowman

In my last post I shared how I get inspiration and ideas for my writing from everyday life, but my writing projects are not always based on “inspiration.” Sometimes my inspiration comes from having a publishing deadline. I am a monthly contributor to a children’s magazine as well as a few online blog sites. I also accept work-for-hire contracts with publishers that typically have a shorter deadline than my royalty contracts. So there are times when I write not because I have a creative idea, but because I have an obligation to fulfill an agreement with a publisher. 

In 1988, “Just Do It” became the slogan and trademark of the shoe company Nike. With this key feature of the brand, Nike was able to increase its worldwide shoe sales from $877 million to $9.2 billion over a period of ten years. According to many publications, “Just Do It” was named the best slogan of the 20th century. 

For athletes, the slogan is motivation to go out on the playing field and give it all you’ve got. No hesitation. No excuses. No whining. Just get out there and compete. For me as a writer, it means the same thing. No hesitation. No excuses. No whining. Just turn on the computer and write (and it also helps to pray).

Writing is as much of a discipline as it is an art. 

I love writing stories or articles when I have a creative idea. I enjoy seeing the words appear on the computer screen as my fingers dance over the keyboard. I keep writing until I have emptied my heart, soul, and mind. It’s a satisfying feeling to transport what’s inside of me to something tangible in front of me. However, I have found the same thing to be true when I turn on my computer with few or no ideas in my head. As I stare at the blank screen, I just start typing and things happen. Of course it doesn’t all fall into place immediately, but no matter what you are writing or why, every project requires tweaking and revising and a billion revisions. 

Bottom Line

So, my advice to aspiring writers is a slogan I borrowed from Nike with a bit of a twist: Just Write It! Don’t wait until you are inspired or when the moon and stars are in alignment. Find your writing spot away from distractions. Have your favorite beverage within reach. Turn on your computer, then get out on the playing field, and give it all you’ve got. You might be surprised at the words that appear on your screen, all because you just did it! 

TWEETABLE

Just Write It! Encouragement from Crystal Bowman on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Crystal Bowman is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 100 books for children and four nonfiction books for women. She also writes lyrics for children’s piano music and is a monthly contributor to Clubhouse Jr. Magazine. She loves going to schools to teach kids about poetry. She also speaks at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) groups and teaches workshops at writers’ conferences. When she is not writing or speaking, she enjoys going for walks, working out at the gym, and eating ice cream. She and her husband live in Michigan and have seven huggable grandkids. 

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Featured Image: Photo by Fa Barboza on Unsplash