Excuses, Excuses

Do you love to write but think that you "just don't have time" or "don't know where to start" or "are stuck where you are with the story.” So often I hear writers make excuses for not writing. It's a great way to get away with not doing it when frankly you should JUST DO IT!

That exact sentiment is written about in a frank and funny non fictional guide titled, Bird By Bird, by Anne Lamott. The book is inspiring, insightful and interesting.

You can compare the act of writing like getting up for a job you have to go to every day. You work nine to five and set your alarm at 6:00 a.m. so you can be at work at 9:00 a.m. Each task you do when you wake up is one task closer to getting to work. You shower, brush your teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast, grab your car keys, etc., and head out the door.

Think of writing in the same way. Setting your alarm could be equal to making a time on your calendar to write. Showering could be pulling your hair back in a ponytail or getting into something comfortable. Instead of brushing your teeth you grab a glass of something warm or cold to drink. Then instead of grabbing you car keys grab that door knob and go into your office and turn on the computer and DRIVE to work and WRITE.