Twitter - Not a Waste of Time

TWITTER UNIVERSITY

Just say "I've been accused of being a tease. But that's not true: it was suspense. And that's an honored writing skill. " [see last post 8/17/09] So here is the reveal.

Since I've joined the Twitter world, I've been following several agents and authors. From them I've learned valuable things about the book writing business.

I like following authors best though. They Tweet about what they're doing, such as cooking, attending writing conferences and their conversations with other writers. The one thing the published writers all have in common from the majority of the unpublished writers, is their approach to writing.

They write... All the time.

Once in a while they come up for air, Tweet about what they've done, then tell the Tweeterverse what they're going to do next.

Reading their Tweets has been a huge lesson in reality. These writers treat writing like a job, and it's obvious in what they Tweet.

For example:

* "Writer's block" isn't an option. I got kids to feed, man.

* Books don't write themselves. You might think they do.

* Time for lunch (finally.) Then more words. I can't play all day, much as I'd like to.

* Writing the worst piece of dreck ever is still an improvement over "not writing." You can't get better unless you actually DO IT.

* (continue) Besides you have to have something to edit.

* And the timer has rung, so it's time to turn off the modem and focus on writing. Wish me luck.

* A few more words, then I can finish cooking dinner. Just a few more words...

* Choices, choices. A night spent adding another few thousand to the book, or reading? The agony of decision.

Okay... So I really need to change a few things.

And you can learn something from Twitter.

What Keeps Me Going - Starting Over #5

WHEN I'M TEMPTED TO QUIT?

I so totally stole this title from Michael Hyatt's blog posted Friday July 31. It was a great blog with a great question that started me thinking. [Michael Hyatt]

What keeps you going when you want to quit? I fight this malady all the time. Sometimes its too hard to get up. It's too hard to go to the gym. It's too hard to bypass the ice cream and eat the salad. It's too hard to park my rear in the chair and work on the current scene. And lately it's too hard to shut off all the nifty internet sites like, myspace, facebook and now the really addictive Twitter. (So pulled in by the twittering of TweetDeck. Who knew!)

Like Michael Hyatt says, "Everything important requires work. Hard work. And sometimes there is a long arc between the dream and it’s realization. That is where the work and the transformation occur.

In my experience, the thing that keeps me going is answering this question, “Why am I doing this?” I then try to remember the dream. “Why I am doing this hard thing that I am doing.” I try to get connected to the original vision, because that keeps me going when the going gets tough."

And sometimes even the dream needs a little help. Family, friends and fellow writers are valuable supports. I have several. If I list them, I'm certain to leave somebody out. So just know you are very appreciated.... all of you.