Life Lessons—What are You Waiting For?

What are you waiting for? It's time to follow that DREAM!

So often, when I tell people I’m a writer, they’ll look at me, sigh and tell me how they want to write . . . if only.

So I ask you, what’ are you waiting for? Is it time, money, fear? Well the year is young and I want to challenge you to put your if only aside and take a chance on your dream.

Thursday Review—MoGo 7000

Lost Your Mojo? Try MoGo!

a Review by Lynn Huggins Blackburn

Have you ever had this conversation?

Interested, supportive friend or family member: “So, how’s your book coming?”

Shame-faced, sad-eyed you: “Um, well, you know, I’m really busy and. . . uh. . . ”

That’s how it’s been since the beginning of 2011. Somehow, after sailing through NaNoWriMo, I lost my fiction mojo. It was just . . . gone.

I’m still a new writer and this has been a learning experience. Your mileage may vary, but if I quit writing, no matter how valid the reason, even for a month or two, the passion wanes. After four months, I couldn’t drum up any enthusiasm for my novel. By the six month mark I had to admit I was 52,000 words into a novel I couldn’t figure out how—and didn’t want—to finish.

Much of the conventional writing wisdom says to write 1,000 words a day, or 5,000 words a week. I’ve done it before. But right now, 5,000 words a week is as unattainable as me squeezing my post-pregnancy body into a Size 4, 6, oh just forget it, ANY bathing suit.

My friend Lori Roeleveld challenged me to write 10 minutes a day. Every day. I committed, but I wondered…just how much fiction could I write in 10 minutes a day?

And then I remembered MoGo7000. MoGo7000 is the brainchild of Vonda Skelton. She noted that if you set a monthly goal of 7,000 words, by the end of the year, you’d have an 84,000 word work of fiction or non-fiction on your hands. And that’s nothing to hang your head in shame over.

And she made it easy. If you want to participate, all you do is write 7,000 new words for your book (blogs, devotions and articles don’t count). Then tell Vonda about it on her blog, and get yourself entered into a drawing for $100 cash.

So in July, I decided to give it a shot. The first few days were painful. The words didn’t flow and those brief ten minutes felt like torture. But I kept at it and after a week or so, I was churning out several hundred words in my ten minute sessions. Even with that, I’ll admit that it came down to the wire. I was writing at 9PM on July 31st but I finished the month with 7,524 words. (In honor of my achievement, I treated myself to some celebratory chocolate & I highly recommend you do the same!)

MoGo7000 taught me several lessons…

• Writing ten minutes a day will keep me motivated. Give it a shot—you’ll be amazed.
•  I’m apparently willing to try just about anything if you dangle $100 in front of me.
• A monthly word goal is ideal for me right now. Instead of feeling like a failure for not meeting a daily quota, I feel energized by my success. 

The most important thing I learned in July is this . . . If I lose my mojo, there’s a simple solution. Start writing and keep writing until I get it back.

So how about you? How’s your book coming?

Don’t forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Lynn

Lynn Huggins Blackburn has been telling herself stories since she was five and finally started writing them down. On her blog Out of the Boat she writes about faith and family while her blog Perpetual Motion documents the joys and challenges of loving and rearing a child with special needs. A graduate of Clemson University, Lynn lives in South Carolina where she writes, reads, knits, takes care of three amazing children, one fabulous man and one spoiled rotten Boston Terrier.

Follow Lynn on Twitter @lynnhblackburn

What’s Holding You Back?

So often, when I tell people I’m a writer, they’ll look at me, sigh and tell me how they want to write . . . if only.

So I ask you, what’s holding you back from following your dream? Is it time, money, fear? Well the year is young and I want to challenge you to put your if only aside and take a chance on your dream.

Here are some practical steps you can take to get started. You’re already partway there—you’re reading this blog!

1. Join a writers group—it can be online, or one that meets nearby. Don’t know where to find one? Check with your local bookstores and libraries. Get a copy of Sally Stuarts Christian Writers Market Guide, she lists groups in the resources section.
2. Set some goals—TO WRITE. You can’t be a writer if you don’t sit down and write. The goals can be small, maybe a few hundred words a week. Or set a time goal, spend so many minutes a day writing.
3. Make a schedule—I can hear the groaning now and I’m right with you. I HATE schedules—they seem almost anti-creative. But a schedule helped me publish 700+ articles last year. It doesn't have to be a minute by minute schedule, just one that lets you know when to work on what.
4. Enlist a friend—preferably one who writes. But anyone will work. When I start a new endeavor I've found I keep my goals when I build in accountability.

If your goal is to write a book this year I have a special announcement for you. My friend and writing partner, Vonda Skelton is launching a new program. Visit her website to see all the details!

Now it’s your turn—share what you want to accomplish in 2011.