Writer? Keep Learning

I don't know about you, but I often feel as if I'm never going to make it. There is always something new to learn, to experience, to write about. 

Do writers ever think to themselves, "Well, I've made it now"?

Or do they, like me, constantly feel as if they're climbing that wall or mountain?

Seems to me, most jobs are like that. It's when you 'think' you know everything that you run into trouble. Because frankly, you don't and won't ever.

Even if you haven't been a part of the polical arena that is currently upon us, like a huge rock in a small stream, you realize that even the big haunchos don't know it all, even if they think or say they do. The problem arises when they believe they have all the answers when they most assuredly do not, and even go so far as to treat others with disrespect because they feel they can.

But I'm getting away from myself...

As a writer, we will never know everything. We will never know how to write perfectly, research without flaws, cover ourselves so totally and compelely with the written word that we never even consider - writer's block.

Some things are just the way they are.

And this is good. Because we want to be humble. We want to avoid being vain. We want to reach out and learn and help others to learn, We don't know everything and that's okay. That's no excuse for doing nothing, but it's okay that we will never know everything.

The good news is that we can learn something new, even today. And that something will make us a better writer, a better editor, a better researcher, a better mentor for another writer.

And that's a goal we can all reach.

Write Like a Pro

I don't know about you, but it feels nice to treat yourself like a pro, even when you're in the beginning stages of writing.

And I know what that's like.



I was expected to write a query letter with no previous published writing credits, market a fresh new book without ever previously marketing anything, speak at an elementary school on writing when I'd never broached the subject before.

But there has to be a first time, right? If no first, then no second, or third or so on.

You've probably heard the saying, "Fake it till you make it," but what if you went out there, using all of your guts, all of your ingenuity, all of your writing talent, and didn't have to 'fake' anything? What if everything was already inside you for use?



Writing like a pro means you don't allow yourself to dwell on the beginning of your journey. Sure, you might honestly be 'beginning' this journey, but what is it that you want? What is it that you feel like you can give right now to get what you want?

To me, that's living like a pro, and writing just comes naturally after that.

Have a great day!

Kathryn

Are You a Prepper?

Years ago I became a Pepper. Dr. Pepper was my drink of the day and I loved it. But through the years I discovered some things about Dr. Pepper and my health. It felt pretty good going down, but the after effects were less than desirable. I was bloated, tired and felt as if I needed another Dr. to get me moving again.

I have been off the caffeine trip since August of last year, and I need to tell you I'm doing much better. No doctor necessary. But I have to tell you, I still want that one sip, that one time where I can go out to lunch or dinner and have my favorite drink.

But I haven't done it. I am thinking of my future after all. I want to feel good as much of the time as possible and Dr. Pepper just doesn't do it for me.

So what is a Prepper? you ask.

Photo by: Mullica, courtesy of Flickr

A prepper is usually someone who stocks up on food storage for the end, or maybe not even the end, but the surprising end of a paycheck as they know it, at least for a time. These preppers prepare water, food, toiletries, 24 hour kits, clothes, and on and on.

Why?

So they can be prepared.

I like this kind of prepper. It make me think of a writer who does all he/she can do to learn the skills of writing. He/she may have a natural born talent, but this natural God given gift must be honed for greater things. And these greater things called publishing and marketing and selling come only after much preparation. Your preparation might include:

• Taking a class
• Joining a writer's group
• Attending a writer's conference
• Checking out books at the library and practically devouring them
• Getting mentored by another writer
• Mentoring a writer
• Saving your rejection slips and paying special attention to the hand written notes occasionally found in the margins
• Taking feedback and criticism
• Rewriting
• Being patient
• Working hard

Being a Prepper when it comes to writing takes guts. Even after you're published, the end is still not clear and you may find yourself groping for new answers to questions that can only be solved by continually moving forward and continuing to learn.

Are you a Prepper?

Aching Muscles?

Okay, so I've started a new exercise program. You should find me toned and slim by the end of the year. At least that's my hope.

Photo by: sierrafit, courtesy of Flickr

We all want to feel our best, whether the best is physical or something else, but often, as is the case of exercise, we have to deal with sore muscles in the process.

Writing is a bit like that.

It may take us 8 years from the first day we put pen to paper to get our first article published.

We may find that we get more rejection letters than the acceptance sort.

We way even find that after we've published, it is still difficult to publish.



Photo by wiiu-spiele.com, courtesy of Flickr

Today my arms are aching from the Just Dance Wii game I use for my exercise routine. But they hurt a lot worse the first and second week. I am trying to get the leg moves down too, though I'm not judged for that according to the system, and I'm exercising 5-6 days a week even if I don't feel like it.

It's true that workout gyms all over the country are big business in January, and even in February, but come March the places are suddenly as empty as a park in winter. I hope that I'll be able to continue, that I won't give up even when it hurts, and that by the end of the year I'll have published that book I told you about yesterday. I also hope that I've helped others published theirs--my ultimate goal when it comes to working out.