How Often Do You Write?
Thank you for visiting Addicted To Writing if you're new here, you can stay up to date by subscribing to our RSS feed.
I hope you are having a sparkling day!
That’s something I’m asked quite often. Practically every day is my response, in fact, I cannot remember the last time when I didn’t write daily. Whoops, I take that back. My appendices ruptured in 1992. I was in the hospital for about a week. The last thing on my mind was writing. I just wanted to get out of the hospital.
A much anticipated book arrived in the mail a few days ago. Writer Mama How To Raise A Career Alongside Your Children is written by Christina Katz. I ordered it over three weeks ago from a third party associate from Amazon. It’s a 7 x 6 X 1 inch book. It’s 296 pages.
I had read the reviews and a sample chapter on Amazon. However there’s something about holding a new book in my hands for the first time that gets me excited. I eagerly flipped open the book. Oh, I thought it’s a book of ideas. I put it down. I have plenty of ideas, I thought. I’ll come back to it later. Later occurred yesterday evening. I picked up this book and haven’t been able to put it down. Christina Katz assumes that you know how to write and like many writers out there you are looking for tips to get yourself published.
Whether you are a writer with children, single female, or male, Christina offers many practical tips that move you one step closer to becoming published. I really like the chapter on following up with editors, and the suggestions she gives on writing query letters. I’ll definitely be using them. She also gives advice on tapping into local markets, such as newspapers.
Each chapter in Writing Mama begins with a quote from a writing momma. I thought that was appropriate, and I really enjoy reading them. My favorite, so far, is on page 39, Pam White writes about a woman who had started writing almost eight years before. She said when this woman started her writing. Her punctuation was atrocious, and she had a habit of putting herself into every story. I had to laugh because she could have been talking about myself. Pam also goes on to say that this woman wrote daily, and she must have learned something from her writing because when she again discovered her writing it was “beautifully crafted, engaging, an germane to readers everywhere.” I really liked the statement because it showed that this woman with guidance, and continually exercising her right to write was able to improve this skill.
I enjoy exercising, and I work out daily. Physical exercise has always been part of my lifestyle. Guess what? It shows. I’m approached often about what I’m doing to maintain my physique. It takes a lot of practice, dedication, and hard work. Excuses won’t work. I cannot imagine life without exercise. I have a goal. I’ll be competing in Figure competition this year so it’s important that I have a plan. I don’t want to lose my focus. It will take a lot of dedication to achieve my goal but for me it’s worth it.
Writing is one of my mental exercises and each chapter in Writer Mama ends with an exercise. I thought that was very cool. As with physical exercise I’ve listed areas I want to improve with my writing. Realizing the importance of making improvements I work on my writing skills daily. I know if I’m persistent it will improve. I will continually work on enhancing those skills and not get disappointed by obstacles that stand in my way. I’m considered advanced when it comes to physical exercise. I occasionally take on clients that I physically train however, I always think there is something I can do to improve myself physically. I feel that way about many aspects of my life. I can always make improvements even in writing.
How often do I write? I write daily.
Technorati Tags: freelance writing, improving my writing, Writing Mama How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Children
Related Posts
- How Can I Improve My Writing?
- Freelance Writing: My Daughter Writes…
- Freelance Writing: Write A Query Letter That Sucks!
- Addicted To Writing: Minor Updates
- Addicted To Books & Addicted To Reading
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically each day to your feed reader.
I absolutely adore this post, Opal! You’ve done a wonderful job of sharing your heart, your dreams, and your strength and determination.
I know what you mean about holding a new book, too. There’s nothing like it!
Smiles,
Michele
I try for a little something every day, whether it be writing letters or writing stories. I’ve gone through dry spells though and it was difficult to get back to my former level of writing. I’ll have to say that my biggest downfall is that I still consider writing notes for school as actual writing - If that’s all I do, my creative writing suffers drastically.
Way to go on the physical exercise! It’s awesome that you can make time for that
Hi Opal - it sounds like a great book. And I like the story you mentioned about the woman who improved her writing - it will give great inspiration to others.
I write daily - usually aiming for at least 1000 words a day. Not by hand though, always on the computer. When I first got a computer I used to write everything by hand then type it onto the computer. I just couldn’t understand how people managed to write straight onto a computer, but now, I couldn’t go back to writing by hand - it would take forever.
Michele,
Thanks, I guess I should do that more often on my blogs. I usually write that stuff in my private journals, but occasionally I’ll write it on my blogs.
There is something about a holding a new book. It’s truly special, and I enjoy it immensely. Although technically this wasn’t a new book. I bought it used (although it sure looks like new) from a third party bookseller at Amazon.
RLD,
I remember college days well. I had a few boring professors (government) that sapped my creativity (or so I thought.) The college I attended was located on top of a mountain. My way of reconnecting was to find a quiet spot on the mountaintop. This was something I did almost every evening. I would gaze at the stars. They seemed so close. It felt as if I could reach out and touch them.
I let my imagination soar it took me many places. I was out of class and was free to think however I wanted without restrictions. I loved that feeling. Sitting on the mountaintop, gazing up at the stars, was a great chance for me to think, set goals, clear my head, and do half a dozen other things. I’ll never forget those four years.
Catherine,
I found that inspiring also. I had to mention it within my post.
Re: 1000 words daily
That’s very good! I write longhand. I mainly do that for my four-year old daughter’s benefit. Although she types on the computer. I want her to see that it normal to write with pen and paper. She loves to read and write. She writes daily. I keep her notes in a drawer, but I’m running out of space. I’m thinking of making a book out of her creations. She gives me love notes daily. How sweet is that?
Opal - that is so sweet. If I wrote longhand I wouldn’t get anywhere near 1000 words. Plus, my handwriting is so messy that I would struggle to read it myself and type it up.
Opal,
I love the title of the book. Those of us who have to trudge off to work each day sometimes forget how hard it can be to stay at home with the kids and try to get anything accomplished.
Thanks for the book suggestion. I’ll have to check it out. I love books that give practical writing exercises to work on the things you’re reading about.
Keep up the great work.
Jim
CatherineL,
However I’ll be the first to admit longhand isn’t for everyone. I mainly do it for my daughter.
Oh I’m sure you could improve if you wanted to do it.
Jim,
Thanks so much I’m reading daily and applying what I’ve learned to my writing.
I happened to browse through the book in a bookshop over the weekend. It was very promising - I’m going to buy it. Thanks for the review.
Chryselle
Chryselle,
You’re more than welcome. I really love that book. Thanks for stopping by my virtual home.
Hello Opal,
I really admire your ability to focus and get the job done. This is a very special trait that we all can use some help with.
I am a writer too…and a reader…I read anything I can get my hands on…I definitely believe the more I write…the more I improve. I tend to pick up silly little habits though, I have a habit of entering three little dots instead of a coma.
I have to work on that…thanks for the great article.
I’ve read somewhere that “the modern working world runs with rules that exclude child rearing”. That is why a lot of moms look for a job connected with Internet.