A to Z Blogging 2012
On Being a Published Writer
April 14, 2012
Day 13
It’s the rare author who doesn’t occasionally run out of steam. We’re spouses, partners, parents, children, siblings. We wear a bunch of different hats every day. So how do we stay motivated to sit at the computer and write something every day when the dishes, the laundry, the kids, the job, the significant other, and even the dog, all need our attention?
For me, the first step in answering that question was accepting that some days I couldn’t do everything in my day the way I wanted to do it. Yeah, it was tough. I aspire to be the modern woman but my roots go waaaaay back to Helen Reddy. “I am woman, hear me roar…”
When I was growing up, it was fashionable to be a superwoman. We were told we could have it all, but no one ever told us how exhausting achieving everything can be. I learned to pace myself - until I signed the first contract and became a published author. After that, I did a bit of backsliding. Multi-tasking became a way of life.
But you know what? For me, too much multi-tasking is counterproductive. I get a lot more accomplished when I stop trying to do four things at once and focus on completing one phase of a project at a time. Getting that one thing finished and out of the way is a great motivator, too. I find a peculiar personal satisfaction in knowing I’ve done something well.
I’ve reached the point in my life where I realize that I’m happy with what I’ve done in a day even if it’s not everything on my To Do List. I don’t have to stress over those twelve things undone in my day. The sky won’t fall if I don’t get five hundred words done in an evening when I’ve had to take care of something in my life. I’ll get another crack at my list again tomorrow.
There’s an old saying - “if it is to be it is up to me.” Now here’s the thing. I get to say what “is to be” every day. Most days, it’s all the motivation I need to moving forward.
It’s a good place to be.
KC Kendricks
website at: http://www.kckendricks.com/
blog: http://www.kckendricks.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kckendricks
mailing list at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/betweenthekeys
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1989106.K_C_Kendricks
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Kc-Kendricks/1439574042
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kckendricks
2 comments:
The phrase "Jack of all trades....master of none" comes to mind. There are times when too much multitasking can become detrimental to the quality of work. Good post!! :)
I had a talk with my daughter yesterday about this. Her room is a disaster and once she enters it, it looks too daunting to tidy up. So I said, let's just tackle one corner at a time. That's the plan and we'll see how it goes.
I'm having a difficult time with this blog challenge with all the hopping, and blog writing, not to mention all the other stuff I have to do as a wife and mother and writer. I've given myself permission to let things slide a bit in April. May is going to be the month!
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