Some days are just super nice. Friday. Birds chirping. Bright sunlit sidewalks. Friendly neighbors. Smiling faces. Your coworkers bought your favorite coffee, because you’re just a great person. And then, you see that there is a free ebook for your reading pleasure.
The boss walks into your office. “Take the rest of the day off,” he says. “Go enjoy yourself. You deserve it!”
With a smile you stroll into the sunny morning, eager to enjoy the well-earned hours with your free ebook, on a bench by the park.
Find that beautiful day and that free ebook here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HJDFXZS
Until then, please enjoy an excerpt from the book, below:
He woke with a sour taste in his mouth and stiffness in his back. He stood quickly, and saw that the clock read 7:50. “Shit,” he said to himself, half-excited. Immediately he called Anna - she picked up and told him they would be late. Ron wanted to apologize, but she already hung up the phone.
He took a minute to spray some cologne and make sure his hair wasn't too bad. Then he shuffled down the stairs, jumped into his car, and sped to Anna's place as fast as the car and the streets would allow.
She was waiting just outside the door. She was wearing a blue dress, flowy and elegant; it was something to be worn on a special occasion. It hugged her hips and shaped tightly around her mid-section. As she walked, one of her legs slid out of a slit in the skirt. The neck was cut somewhere between classy and risque. The makeup highlighted her eyes, which were already a bright and generous display. Her hair was done in a bob - a new and aggressive look for her. She was wearing pearl earrings, and also a pearl pendant necklace. The whole ensemble was nothing short of stunning.
She wanted to know why he was late.
He said he was busy.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
(Approximately) 100 Ways to Write More
Like
most of us aspiring writers, I have struggled to find the time and
the energy to write. I’m sure you agree that writing is an
intensive and time-consuming process. It’s not something that
can be done sitting in front of the TV, or on a cell phone, or during
that 20
minutes between classes (or jobs).
In compliment, I’ve
been told that writing is a necessary step to be a writer. I
tend to agree. In the same way that taking a class in civics
does
not make you a lawyer, writing one story that one summer a while ago
does not make you a writer. It is a constant process, a
constant calling.
So,
let me pass on some good advice that I have received throughout my
life.
1.
Wake up early
This
one cannot be stressed enough. Often, the early morning is the
only quiet and composed time that we will get in the day. That
goes double for those of us with families. Toughen up, set that
alarm 90 minutes earlier, fire up that coffee pot, and embrace the
dawn.
Ideally,
this would be a 7-days-a-week process. I actually find that my
best time is early mornings on the weekend, while the world sleeps
off the presumptive hangover.
This isn’t always possible, but to be effective, it should be at
least 3 days
a week.
2.
Schedule time to write
Almost
as important as number 1. We
all fall into the trap that goes something like, “I’ll write when
I have more time.” Of course, we either never get that time,
or find a far less productive way to fill that time. The only
way to make sure you actually take the time is to set
it in stone.
Put it on your calendar. Tell your friends. Prepare
yourself for the event (ie, coffee & snacks).
And be as
specific as possible:
“On
Wednesday, from 7:30 until bed, I am writing. Nothing else will
happen except writing. No one may contact me during that time –
any requests will be ignored. Good day.”
I
find that people generally respect your desire to commit time to your
passion. And certain people (ie, the ladies) may admire
that
commitment (wink wink).
3.
Make it regular
In
tandem with the first two. In
order to get into the “habit” of writing, there needs to be some
normalcy about it. Writing should not be a special event, but a
typical event.
It should be part of your life in
some way, everyday.
Being
more of a mathematics/logic thinker, I find that weekly scheduling is
the best way to do this. I’ll
look at what I have planned for that week, determine what can be done
to accommodate my personal and family obligations, and then block off
time for writing. That way, I make sure that I have set aside
the time, for each and every week.
4.
Set goals continuously
Maybe
you want ten pages this week. Or 2,000 words.
Whatever
metric you choose to use, make it ambitious. But not too
ambitious. And,
set those goals early and often.
If
we set a huge goal, like “Finish this book by the end of the year,”
it’s very discouraging when we continually see that goal being
proved too
much to achieve. Instead, set a weekly or monthly goal.
That way, if you don’t quite make it to that goal, you can try to
“make up for it” during the next phase. It’s
a good and easy way to motivate yourself.
5.
Make a hive
There
should be a place that is quiet and comfortable for writing.
Hopefully, you
have an office or a bedroom with a desk where you can shut the door
and politely tell others “do not disturb.”
But
if you don’t, strongly consider finding a “hive.” This
could be at a local library, a coffee shop, or even a bar.
Whatever place is most comfortable for you, and whatever has the
fewest distractions. Simply being at home, on the couch, with
the TV and the cell phone
and whatever other gadgets you have, all make it
harder to write. Distractions distract. That’s what
they do.
But
when you go somewhere different
with
the specific
purpose
of writing, it only helps get into the necessary mindset.
8. What happened to 6 and 7?
12.
Get rid of resistance
If
you have somebody in your life that, for whatever reason, is
resentful or resistant regarding your writing time, then you should
strongly consider remedying that situation. I’m not saying
that you should break up with your bf/gf -
but
instead have a serious conversation about your desire and dedication
to writing. Insist on your desire to write. Be
aggressive, if need be. This goes for friends and family
members, as well.
You
will most likely have to deal with disappointment when you turn down
social events or casual hang outs in favor of writing time.
That’s part of it. But if it is a constant resistance from a
particular source, you need to be proactive. Or else that other
person will win the fight, and you will be writing less and less over
time.
47.
Read
My
personal opinion on reading is somewhat different from most actual
authors, so take it with a big ol’ grain
of salt. While I agree that reading before
you
begin a project is extremely important, and revisiting sources of
inspiration is also extremely important, I believe that
reading while
you
are actively writing is of less importance.
Nonetheless,
it is indeed beneficial to
keep your head in the game, so to speak. Revisit the works and
authors that inspire you. Read articles about writing and
publishing. This will rejuvenate you, give you new ideas, and
therefore aid your writing. Most importantly, this is something
that can be done in 15-20 minutes (unlike writing itself).
72.
Celebrate
We
all achieve certain milestones as we go through a project.
Perhaps it is the first 10,000 words, or completing the rough draft,
or successfully rehabilitating that abysmal fourth chapter.
Whatever your milestones may be, be
sure to reward yourself for the hard work – because it’s almost
certain that nobody else will be
near as happy as you.
Typically,
I’ll find a way to buy a good bottle of booze, or maybe indulge in
a trip to a favorite restaurant. These little celebrations feed
into my energy to write, and give me something to look forward to.
That
said, don’t get carried away. Don’t throw a party every
time you finish a chapter. Or else you’ll be doing more
celebrating than writing, and it loses its effect.
100.
Be Assertive
If
you haven’t learned by now: you don’t get much by being nice to
everyone. In order to make the time for writing and get the
project written, you will need to be assertive; which is a polite way
for saying jerkish. You may have to occasionally piss off
people you love in order to achieve your writing goals. If you
aren’t prepared to do that, then you should reconsider your passion
for writing in the first place.
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