Keys to Writing Success - Part 7

This week I'm going to share with you something that has served me well for many a year. It is also something that I have touched on before but is so important, is worth mentioning again.

To make the most of your writing time you need to stay organised and think ahead. By doing so, you will be preparing yourself mentally for what it is you want to write. If not, there is a risk that when you do have writing time, you could be sitting in front of a screen or sheet of paper without any firm ideas.

Writing time is too valuable to waste.

To help me maintain my own output, I always plan out on Sunday what I intend to write during the week. This gives me something to aim for as well as allow me to collect my thoughts. This weekly plan is not necessarily detailed but serves as a useful guide and prompt.

I also make a daily to do list, again setting out all I want to do that day, including specific writing projects as well as other things.

By making weekly - and daily - lists you will find it will not only help you with your writing output but keep your writing projects on track.

The Keys to Writing Success - Part 6

One of my favourite writing maxims is, 'To be a writer you need to be an eternal optimist.'

And to succeed, you do need to believe in what you do and keep putting your work and ideas forward. Such is the way of publishing, some work and ideas will get rejected but you must keep going and be optimistic and hopeful.

During the week I was saddened to read one person interested in writing, write 'I have never had anything accepted and probably never will.'

With such an attitude making that breakthrough and getting accepted will be doubly difficult. As Henry Ford wrote, 'If you believe you can do a thing, or if you believe you cannot, you are RIGHT.'

As a writer believe in your skills. And know that if you keep writing, keep putting forward ideas and proposals and retain a healthy sense of optimism (despite the inevitable knocks) you will get results.

Good luck and I wish you and your writing well.

Back from my holidays

In case you have been wondering why there haven't been any postings recently, I have been away on holiday - and a very idyllic time in rural Estonia. As is always the case after a holiday, loads of emails, post, the unpacking etc. But I hope to be adding a new (and important) Key to Writing Success in the next few days.

Also as a reminder, for those in the UK who may prefer to buy a copy of Achieve More Acceptances and pay in sterling (rather than dollars) please email me at neil@neilsomerville.com.

Until my next post, here's wishing you all the best with your own writing activities.