I have to admit, I'm a list kinda girl. Making them? Checking things off? It's one of the little joys. I have an app for lists where I record everything from future Christmas present ideas to beach-trip packing lists to names of half-marathons I'd like someday to try. It's a wonderful little app that makes me happy most days.
As I checked through my lists app today, I thought it would be fun to make a list on my blog. So, here goes . . . the top ten most important things I've learned so far to sustain myself as a writer. And they may just apply to other occupations as well.
#1 - Take time to breathe and understand pacing.
Even a runner has to pace herself, to learn breathing techniques for endurance. And as cliche as the running metaphor is, it still jives for so many life lessons. I love this gig as a writer, and I know I have to pace myself—breathe—for endurance. When I try to rush the story, it sometimes pushes back, the same as when a runner pushes too hard and ends up injured.
#2 - Not every new and shiny toy is worth the distraction.
So many strategies and publishing avenues exist for writers. And the path to publication and success is as different as an author's fingerprint. I've learned that I have to shut down the FOMO voice that can whisper to me and leave me worried and drained. As I set my path and work the plan, I can sustain my pace.
#3 - Health before hot mess.
Speaking of feeling drained, this business of writing and publishing is not running marathons or digging ditches, but it does involve a tremendous amount of mental work. Despite what some may think, the imagination can be quite a task-master, and refueling can take different forms. While this may sound a little reminiscent of #3, not only is pacing a big deal, but altogether taking a break with a good road trip or making a quilt or some other creative outlet can often help with a reset, both mentally and even physically.
#4 - There should be a warning label: Patience is required.
As with any venture worth its salt, I've had to accept that writing is a process best seasoned with patience, one of the hard-won virtues.
#5 - Put away perfectionism. It causes ulcers.
As a writer, I am also a self-editor. That doesn't mean I don't use a professional editor. I most definitely do. It simply means, I spend hours self-editing before I send off my manuscript to her (kind of like cleaning before a professional cleaner comes in.) I have this nasty habit of trying to make the manuscript perfect, though. Drawing the line is a skill I admittedly still have to master. I have edited into the wee hours, thinking I've polished my manuscript 'til it truly shines only to awake the next morning, pull up my document, and immediately find that paragraph one could have articulated better, more clearly, more poetically, more concisely . . . followed by paragraph two. UGHHHH!
#6 - Feedback is as valuable as you want it to be.
I've enjoyed feedback on my books from the moment I've felt confident enough to let people read my work. I've also been terrified. Constructive criticism at its best is kind and elevating at the same time it is instructive and developmental. I've been part of critique groups whose feedback has been eye-opening and extremely helpful. On the flip side, I've critiqued with writers whose comments to me or others in the group were unhealthy and damaging. So, I've tried to become more objective, more selective about how to use feedback.
#7 - Research is important, but so are limits.
I'm a researcher at heart, and I love a good rabbit hole! Allowing myself some time to explore those rabbit holes on the front end has often saved me hours of work on the back end. I do believe in limits, though. Those rabbit holes can get pretty deep and winding.
#8 - Networking is Key.
So many good people exist in the world. I've had a good share of experiences with other authors and made friends with people who genuinely want to help, people who really have no vested interest in my success but are generous and service-minded. Yes, plenty of scammers, money-mongers, and ulterior-motive seekers are also waiting in the wings to snag dollars, time, products, etc., but largely, the world has good people with good intentions and insights.
#9 - Embracing and dissecting mistakes builds character.
Inevitably, in this business of writing—or any business, for that matter—mistakes happen, and the ability to embrace setbacks has been a hard one for me. I like things to be right the first time, but when I do make a mistake (and there have been plenty), not only do I try to learn from it, but I tend to memorize it, take it apart, and analyze it. From that process, I've learned so many new things. It can be painful sometimes, but definitely worth it.
So there we are. I wonder what lessons next year will hold. Who knows? Maybe I'll have a new top ten list to share come the waning months of 2024. After all, there's nothing like a good list!
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