Is Your Attitude Positive or Negative? Ever hear the saying: “Can’t never did anything?” I do admit I often say, “Well, I just can’t do that.” Maybe the statement is in response to rewriting a story that seriously needs an overhaul; to a ten-day blog tour; to spice up a manuscript; to take a workshop that I really need. Instead, be the Little Engine That Could and tell yourself, “I think I can.” Doesn’t that sound much better than “I can’t?”
Is Your Book The Best It Can Be? Does it have reader appeal? Pretend you’re someone else reading your book. (I pretend I’m a lady I know who is rather hard to please—will she like my book?) Does it have urgency, intensity, and enough drama to capture a reader’s heart? Does your own book interest YOU? Remember these principles, and you may just write a Best Seller.
Do You Treat Yourself As Well As You Treat Other Writers? Now, this is simple. If you have a writer friend who is faltering, what do you do? Don’t you try to bolster her confidence, telling her that she is competent, that she is as good a writer as anyone else, and that you have Confidence in her? Then, why not tell yourself these things? Then act that way.
Do You Play At Writing Instead Of Taking It Seriously? By serious, I don’t mean act that way. The one thing you DON’T want to do is lose the joy of writing. Why write if it makes you miserable? Remember how excited you were when you first realized you were a storyteller, and you wanted more than anything to succeed? We need some level of obsession to take ourselves seriously and make others believe it, too. If writing is your dream, then make it happen. Write!
Celia Yeary
Romance…and a little bit o' Texas
TEXAS BLUE-eBook and Print
what a great blog. I have been guilty of being my own worst enemy and have to suck it up fairly often. I used to blame it on my upbringing before I realized I'm an adult now.
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Barbara
Wonderful advice, Celia!
ReplyDeleteI am often harder on myself than anyone I know...except maybe Hubby when he won't take the trash out. LOL But we do need to be kinder to ourselves and we need to write for the joy of writing.
Celia, what wonderful points you make. For me, the first one is so important. It's got to be a positive experience. That's what makes writing so rewarding.
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Steph
I'm afraid I'm guilty of a lot of that. I've got to shape up. (g)
ReplyDeleteMorgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel
Hi Celia,
ReplyDeleteI'm guilty of sometimes thinking I can't when a new opportunity crops up. For me the problem is not so much that I am unable to take on the challenge, it's that I have to give something else up to make it all work out. But I've learned to take a deep breath and not say no in a knee-jerk reaction because I CAN do it. This attitude has served me well in writing and in other aspects of my life.
Great post!
Maggie Toussaint
www.mudpiesandmagnolias.blogspot.com
BARBARA--our upbringing can definitely make an impact on us--good or bad--in how we preceive ourselves. Yes, we're adults, but we still have our pasts dragging along with us.Fortunately, I had parents who gave me a good self-image. Celia
ReplyDeleteREBECCA--sometimes it's useful to be hard on ourselves, but not so much we make ourselves miserable. The joy of writing does keep me going. Celia
ReplyDeleteSteph--well, you're one of the most positive people I know--writers and non-writers. Do you ever get mad or give up? You amaze me. Celia
ReplyDeleteMORGAN--just a little pep talk might do it! But I think you have a great self-concept and outlook. I'd love to be more like you. Celia
ReplyDeleteMAGGIE-You do have a lot on your plate--far more than I do. Sometimes I feel guilty that I really don't have many responsibilities--this should make me more productive,and I do try. Celia
ReplyDeleteLike Maggie, I've learned to say, Sure, I can do that...then I'm left to give something else up in order to do it. Keeps me busy, anyway!
ReplyDeleteLiana Laverentz
www.lianalaverentz.com
LIANA--I understand--but I usually prefer too much to do rather than not enough. I work best under a little pressure and deadline. Nice to see you! Celia
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think I've been my own worst enemy, on top of being my own severest critic, merciless judge, and complete doubter. LOL. Luckily, these sentiments are the exception rather than the norm.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, and great advice. I've definitely been my own worst enemy when it comes to my writing career. I lost the joy of writing for a long time and was unable to write, all because I was too focused on the end product rather than enjoying the journey.
ReplyDeleteI think enjoying the journey is something I need to focus on more. My problem is that I take on too much 'other stuff' then find I can't prioritise my own writing high enough up the list. Also, downtime is a necessity, not a luxury, but that seems to fall off a cliff too. Blog posts like this are a timely reminder that I need to take myself in hand. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Celia,
ReplyDeleteNice, informative blog, very enlightening.
Cheers
Margaret
Funny, I just bought "The Little Engine That Could" a couple of days ago! Learning positive thinking is indeed a superpower. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm probably guilty of all the above but my latest downfall is the foot-traffic I need to put out to hand-deliver my name and book to local area stores. I also find myself feeling inhibited to hand out cards and brochures--what's up with that?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Celia, for giving me an opportunity to get that out and for the reminder that I love this, which is what got me started in the first place!
Joanna Aislinn
NO MATTER WHY
The Wild Rose Press
www.joannaaislinn.com
www.joannaasilinn.wordpress.com
Celia,
ReplyDeleteI think all of us do this at some time or another. When I was getting near to being published I found myself backpedaling a lot until my mentor asked me, "Do you really want to be published?" We discussed the subject for a long while, and I had to make the decision; did I or didn't I want to see my work published. It was a difficult decision.
Sandy AKA Sandra K. Marshall
ADDICTION
Eirelander Publishing
http://www.skaymarshall.com
http://www.sandramarshallblog.blogspot.com
EVIE--I think this might be true for many authors--not all, though. I know some who seem so sure all the time, I just don't know if they really--I guess it doesn't matter, though does it? I, too, am my own worst critic. Celia
ReplyDeleteREBECCA--that's a very good short lesson for us all--you can lose yourself in trying too hard and not enjoying your writing. Thanks! Celia
ReplyDeleteLInda--you said a very true thing I hadn't thought of--"downtime is a neccessity. Yes, you're so right. I'll be leaving on a short fun trip soon--without my computer!!--and I need it so much--Thanks for that bit of wisdom.
ReplyDeleteCelia
MARGARET--thanks for stopping by--Celia
ReplyDeleteLORAINE---how interesting!We thought of the same thing at the same time--Thanks for telling me. Celia
ReplyDeleteJOANNA--we all hate that self-promoting, I think. I really don't know any author who just loves to go out there and promote herself--and her book. It's not easy! Don't let an opportunity pass you by--it might be a really good one. Celia
ReplyDeleteSANDY--believe it or not, I understand that back-pedaling. But yes, we do want it, or we wouldn't have gone to all this trouble! Celia
ReplyDeleteCelia, wonderful, thought-provoking post. I think my best ally in writing and the business end of being an author, is simply 'persistence'. Or plowing ahead with whatever I can get done.
ReplyDeleteSAVANNAH--good thinking. Just keep plugging along. And thanks for stopping by--I'm always glad to see you. Celia
ReplyDeleteCelia: just what I needed to read! I think I'll print it out and stick it above my desk.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs and kisses from Switzerland :)
FRANCESCA--Be my guest. I wrote this for me, and thought you all might see something in it to hit the mark, too. So nice to see you! Celia
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