Writing? Dieting? What are the Triggers that Jump Start You???

Ruthy here on a holiday week and lovin' every stinkin' minute of it!

We're not really talking diets, I leave that to Jennifer Hudson and Marie Osmond, Valerie Bertinelli, et al...

We're talking "Triggers".

Not that kind of Trigger....

Sigh.

(Arches brow, looks down...)

The kind that make a difference to us, the type of thing that manifests our individuality. The uniqueness in YOU.
A lot of us realize that to start a food diet successfully, it takes more than just cutting calories. Those of us who have failed at that ploy a GAZILLION times understand the truth therein.

So science has figured out that we need to FOOL our bodies into change. And it can be done, the trick is finding out (usually through trial and error) what works for you. Low carb? Juicing? Hyped-up aerobics? Counting points? Specifically designed meals delivered to your door?

Writing is very much the same, you have to identify who you are to figure out a way to get where you want to go.

Do not trust these two, they will lead you astray!!!! And laugh, doing it!

Here's a simple test to get started:

• Are you a morning person?
• Are you a night-owl?
• Are you impulsive?
• Do you need to do in depth assessments before tackling things?
• Are you picky and need all your ducks in a row on a regular basis?
• Can you push through a job and fix loose ends at the conclusion?
• Are you sensitive to criticism?
• Do you shrug off criticism and stay forward-focused
• Are you uncertain?
• Are you cocky?
• Do you have lots of friends?
• Are you a loner?
• Does negativity bother you?
• Are you impervious to other people's mood swings?
• Are you self-motivated?
• Do you need a deadline or a challenge to be motivated?

That basic check list is a starting point for self-examination. If you're waffling with your writing, if you're stopping and starting intermittently, if you're finding yourself constantly interrupted... or engineering your OWN interruptions, then this is a good way to FIX ALL THAT.

We're not going to talk nature vs. nurture because no matter what our inherent "nature" may be, we can "nurture" ourselves into a writing career. If you want it badly enough...

1.  Pick a time of day that works the best for your writing. If that time isn't available, go to the next best time.

At "1K1HR" on Facebook, we have people "clocking" in at all hours of the day and night. Some are up late naturally. Some are up early for the same reason. Some are feeding newborns and take an hour to write after baby's feeding. Some are awakened by storms or have an unexpected day off from work and they choose to spend part of that time WRITING. Personal choice weighs into this very individual preference/resource. (As you become more confident in yourself and your writing, you'll find the "time" issue isn't as important as it once was. You'll have attained the skill of picking up and moving forward without an absolute schedule for most authors)

2. Plotter or Pantser?

There is no write or wrong on this answer, creative flow varies from author to author and many great authors pre-plan at great length. Note that Pantsers may still do pre-book research, but they don't have to delve as deeply into the characters backgrounds, their preferences, their family history or town history. They may do this later, or on an as needed basis. If you are a Plotter, do a self-examination to make sure you're not delaying the onset of writing by spending too long on research. Avoidance is an author's arch-enemy. Recognizing which strategy works for you personally can save you a lot of time and discouragement.

3. Are you a perfectionist?

If so, you may take longer to write a book or books, but they may need less editing once done. This is not always the case, sometimes perfectionists get so caught up in their own quest for absolute rightness, they forget to let the story unfold. If you're not a perfectionist, are you writing your book well enough to COME BACK and fix the loose ends, or is it a hodge podge of errant left turns?

Some authors do a daily edit on what they've written the previous day... And that keeps them on track for what is to come.

4. Are you a Highly Sensitive Person?  TEST FOR HIGHLY SENSITIVE PEOPLE (Ruthy gags, just a little, just WRITING THAT PHRASE because as we all know, she's an insensitive clod and proud of it.)

Sensitive souls need to be more careful with critique groups and partners. Your inherent sensitivity may make you more susceptible to other's ideas, criticisms and opinions and that can stymie your natural talent. We non-sensitive types just make fun of critiquers when they disagree with us, then call it all good and go eat ice cream. We Really Don't Care.

5. Assess your self-confidence level.

This is different from your sensitivity levels. You can be sensitive and have strong self-esteem. Likewise, you can be a clod like me and have a roughed up self-esteem. While sensitivity may come from "nature", a trait you were born with, self-confidence and self-esteem are often developed by "nurture", experiences you've had throughout your life.  Dove's Real Beauty Sketch Video  Cocky authors may assume they are good enough to make the cut, but they don't necessarily have the work ethic... or the adaptability... to do so. Insecure authors may have the talent to write, but their internal scoldings warn them off.  It is critical to recognize why you stutter-step as you write. If time and money aren't TRUE issues...(we all perceive ourselves as "busy" but examining your wasted time over a 48 hour period might show you something else entirely) then you need to see what's tripping you up. And then modify accordingly.

6. To Join or Not Join an Author's Group

Some people are born to join. Others aren't. Some people are in love with the ROMANCE of writing, and they join organizations that validate their hopes and dreams. If your organization is draining your creativity by urging too much volunteerism, or if it is rife with critical members who don't recognize your dream, it's not only okay to quietly tiptoe away... it's probably crucial. But if you're really only there for the camaraderie, then it's perfectly okay to stay as long as you'd like. RWA statistics hint that only 20% of members become published. That means 80% do not. 80% of those people taking up chair space (or computer time) will not succeed. Am I being harsh?

No. Factual.

Learning how to put yourself into that twenty percent is very Winston Churchill:  "Nevah give up."

Or as Nora Roberts says, "If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.”

7. Negative People: Avoid or Ignore?

Regardless of your sensitivity "profile", negativity can be your downfall. Negative perceptions, or other's perceptions because you hang around with negative people can undermine your success? Why? Because birds of a feather really do flock together.

 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

You are the company you keep professionally. And if you allow others to adversely affect your likability and workability quotient, then you are being short-sighted and short changing yourself.

“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain--and most do.”   Dale Carnegie

Avoiding negativity must be somewhat important, because every self-help guru writes books about it, books that make A LOT OF MONEY, telling us the common sense of hanging with positive people.

Link to People Making a Lot of Money Saying What I Just Said

You should send me chocolate for SAVING YOU ALL THAT MONEY!!!!  :)

8. Do You Need A Boss?

This is not a terrible thing. Some writers are self-starters. They can jump in, both feet, eye up the calendar and to them the challenge is getting things done and done and done...

But others need a DEADLINE APPROACHING to push themselves to write. There are multiple reasons for the difference.

Myself? Writing is my treat to myself, my reward for a great work week, the frosting on my cake and the cherry on my sundae.

Some writers see it as work, a job, a task that needs to be done. It's possible that mental image slows the second writer down... Their perception of the writing is more work-based and less fun-oriented.
Also, some folks simply need a boss. Without that accountability source, they don't self-discipline themselves to perform.

That's not a bad thing IF YOU RECOGNIZE IT AND ACT ACCORDINGLY. For all of these scenarios, it's not the "being" one way or another that stifles creativity, it's not recognizing your "handicaps" or "triggers" and spinning your wheels with little effect.

“You can fix anything but a blank page.”  Nora Roberts

I'm in total agreement with that!  You can't sell something that doesn't exist. 

Hey, coffee's on.... I expect our DEBUT AUTHOR HELEN (YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!) has been by to set up the pot, but I'm here early and I'll gladly serve it up to you on this lovely opening to a holiday week... my holiday week will contain writing (no one pays me to clean), working (no one pays me to clean) and more writing (no one pays me to clean).

It will also include watching 1776 at some point because I need that reminder of how valiant and courageous and strong our forebears were... and to remember to thank God for their existence!

LINK TO "SIT DOWN, JOHN" 1776 (1976 MUSICAL!!!)

I promised books today, and ....

Never one to go back on my (our !!!) word....

Love Inspired Suspense author Deb Giusti, Love Inspired author Glynna Kaye and I all have September releases so we'd like to show you the covers NOW....

OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE AUGUST 20, 2013, GLYNNA KAYE'S 

"A CANYON SPRINGS COURTSHIP"!

ALSO OFFICIALLY RELEASING AUGUST 20, 2013 (on her 47th birthday!!!) IS RUTHY'S 

"FALLING FOR THE LAWMAN"!!!

AND RELEASING ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2013 IS DEBBY GIUSTI'S LATEST SUSPENSE NOVEL
"The Soldier's Sister"

Stop by and leave a comment... as often as you'd like, agree or disagree, or let's chat and find out just what kind of author you are...

We've got plenty of eats and the drinks are on the house!!! We'll draw three names from the cat dish and we'll each send you a copy of our upcoming releases once they're delivered to our respective homes!!!

TALK ABOUT A SWEET DEAL!!!!