How to Develop Your Writing Skills - Part Five

Now that you are writing on a regular basis and excited to see your thoughts turning into something tangible that another person can access, how do you keep the project exciting and moving forward, progressing? I won't kid you. It's difficult to do when the editing begins, when other duties of life intrude, when the phone rings, when a thunderstorm passes overhead and you must turn your computer off even though you are on a writing mania hot streak.

It's hard to keep going when it's so easy to get bogged down with the mundane details. Life throws us so many curves that it's easy to get discouraged after the first draft is complete, or even after the first outline takes form. We can easily sit back and think of how much we had in our heads and how much we've already done to get this far. But as writers, none of us can afford that luxury, not if we are to bring our special gift of words to the world.

Sometimes writing transforms from a creative process to "just a job". So what! I know of no other job that doesn't have it's boring parts, it's nasty people to deal with, it's struggles to climb the ladder of success. But we tend to stop when the going gets a little rough and take the easy path. We fall back on what is comfortable and familiar, even though it may never fulfill us the way that our passion does.

Too many people in the world take that path of least resistance and wallow in self pity, complaining that life hasn't given them a break. They moan and groan that they don't feel excited about anything, that their job is boring, their spouse doesn't support them, their friends all discourage them from doing the things in life that excite them and give them a zest for living. I have two words for those people - STOP IT!

If you want it, go and get it. If you live it, tell others about it by putting it in print, in a video, or into music. Dive into what the universe has blessed your soul with and share it with humanity. Leave your comfort zone and see how much you grow in the process. Reach beyond what you know and search for the unseen, inside and out. Momentum is a mindset that is often difficult to maintain, but you can do it. You may say, "But it will take me five years to finish this project, to share my work, to become the person I want to be." My response to that is, where will you be in five years if you don't do it?

Do you want to go your grave wishing you had finished your book, wondering what would have changed if you had stuck with it, not knowing whose life may have been changed for the better if only you had persevered? And even if you never sell your manuscript, or impress your co-workers and family, you may be an inspiration to a young person, showing them the virtues of taking on a part of yourself, and winning the race. You may inspire another writer, a friend to start his own business, a neighbor to be a better parent, or a child to grow up always reaching for the stars. The world may not know of your influence until they talk of it at your funeral. But you will have left behind a gift that only you can give, an important part of yourself, your contribution back to the universe from which you came.

Stay the course, and keep smiling. There is value in what you do as a writer. Believe in what you bring to the table, then invite others to share with you through your words.