Edie here: Linda Gilden has written for this blog for years, and this week she moved on to a different address and is now walking the streets of Heaven. For those of us left behind, we face a big hole in our publishing industry. Linda was the director of the Carolina Christian Writers Conference, leader and founder of an active writing group, and mentor to more people than I can count. She will be missed for her wisdom, her humor, and her gentle insight. Today I'm republishing one of her most popular blog posts. Please pray for her family and friends as they adjust to the new normal.
Remembering Linda Gilden and Her Warning that All of Us Have a Writing Goose
by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden
I was sitting on my porch enjoying the inspiration of nature when the chickens started making a lot of noise. I looked toward the coop and just outside the fence was a goose. I had never seen him before and don’t know where he came from. Not only were myeyes on him to see what he was going to do, there were thirty-eight chicken eyes watching every move he made.
The chickens followed that goose as he moved around the yard. The roosters immediately positioned themselves in the doors of the coops. The hens who weren’t in the coop went under them, only occasionally peeking out.
One lone goose moved in without a sound and paralyzed 19 chickens by just being there. That same goose distracted me from my writing and caused me to spend many minutes just watching him and the reaction to his presence instead of writing.
Other “geese” I deal with on a daily basis may include:
- Electronics. Too often I am distracted by the telephone or an anticipated email. Just this morning I spent way too much time clicking over to my mailbox to see if an answer to an emailed question had come.
- Household Chores. Often I procrastinate about regular chores. However, if I designate a certain time to do chores, my writing times are more easily kept for writing.
- Social Opportunities. All writers need to interact with others. Friends, family, volunteer activities, church responsibilities are all important. Plan carefully and schedule social activities between projects or at a time when you can spare a few hours from writing. Often you will find new writing material as you grow relationships.
- Promotion for Other Writing. Currently there is a lot going on in my writing life. Even as I write this I am preparing for the official launch of my book, Articles, Articles, Articles!in about ten days. So much needs to get done to prepare for that. However, if I disrupt my schedule to work on the launch, it becomes a goose.
- Future Projects. When I hit a writing road block, I find my thoughts wandering to the next writing project on my list. Usually I can take care of that by keeping a tablet close by and recording my ideas and thoughts as they come. That way they are out of my head and where I can easily find them when I am ready
- Family. Many writers bar the door and forbid anyone access to them during their writing times. Family is high on the distraction list. However, I differ a bit on this view. Family is the one distraction I welcome. They are the most important people in my life. If at all possible, I try to be available to meet whatever family needs come up.
TWEETABLE
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