Become a Disciplined Writer
The Secret to Becoming a Successful Writer of Novels for Children
Many new writers wait for inspiration to strike before putting words to paper. Being disciplined means you keep inspiration burning every day.
Learning to be disciplined is the single best thing you can do if you wish to be a successful novelist.
Don't Talk Away your Story
The story you have to tell comes with a limited amount of energy. It’s like telling any juicy piece of information – it gets stale the more you tell it, and soon you, as well as your listeners, lose interest in it.
If you spend your days in coffee shops chatting to other writers, telling them about your fabulous book, describing your characters, talking about the conflicts they are facing, you will chat away the energy of the story. When it comes time to sit down and write, your story will feel stale, and you will find any excuse not to commit the words to paper. Hold your story close to your chest – its energy is precious and irreplaceable.
Be a Writer Not a Moaner
Writing is hard, lonely work. It takes guts to keep at a story every day until its finished. It’s nice to find a fellow writer to moan with, but resist the temptation. It saps your energy. Rather put your head down and write your prescribed number of words. Writers write, and moaners moan, and never the twain shall meet.
Generate the Creative Energy to Write Every Day
Every time you sit down to write you have to generate creative energy. When you are feeling inspired it’s easy. But more often than not inspiration evaporates, and you are left with a long difficult task of capturing your words on paper. But you can generate the energy to keep going.
Regular Writing is Like Feeding a Fire
Writing a book is like starting a fire that has to keep burning until the final rewrite is completed.
The fire can be started in two ways – by the lightning bolt of inspiration, or by rubbing two sticks together until they make a flame. When you are inspired the fire burns brightly, but when inspiration dies, you have to find a way to keep the fire burning. There is one way to maintain that fire, thus ensuring a book that is filled with energy and life.
Write a Set Number of Words a Day
Set yourself a goal of a certain number of words a day and stick to it. That way, when you sit down in front of your computer or notebook, the story is still burning from the day before. Every day you add enough fuel to keep it alive until the next day.
If you miss a day or two, the fire goes out, and you have to spend time rubbing sticks together to light it again. It can be done, but it wastes time and energy.
It Doesn't Have to Be a Thousand Words
A thousand words a day is the classic formula. If you are busy and know it is unachievable, set yourself a lower number – 600 or even 500 if necessary.
Write a predetermined number of words every day, no matter how you feel, and you will find the fire of inspiration burns consistently.
