Summer Writing Self-Discipline

Every summer, when I take off teaching for a few weeks, I vow to get a lot of writing done. Somehow, though, I seem to get more words to the page during times when I am the busiest. I only remedy my lack of word count if I’m either forced, on deadline, to produce, or I impose a deadline on myself. Today, the latter stares me in the face. Whether I tell myself to get a thousand words written or spend an hour with BIC (facebooking and blogging do not count), I am reminding myself that I can always find the time to make the bed, weed the garden or brush my teeth; writing every day should become a part of my routine. What’s YOUR routine?
Writing Tip for Today: Writing is a pursuit that needs self-discipline. Don’t be draconian–we all have days when the car breaks down or the taxes need filing or you can’t stand that dirty refrigerator one more moment. But DO set daily writing goals and think of them not as activities you’ll do when everything else is done, but as much a part of your day as making the bed. When you look back at what you have accomplished over a week’s time, you’ll be glad you did.

About Linda S. Clare

I'm an author, speaker, writing coach and mentor. I teach both fiction and nonfiction writing at Lane Community College and in the doctoral program as expert writing advisor for George Fox University. I love helping writers improve their craft and I'm both an avid reader and writer of stories about those with wounded hearts.

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