Eight Habits of a Slightly Unsuccessful Writer (Or, How to Write When You Don’t Take it Too Seriously)
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Eight Habits of a Slightly Unsuccessful Writer
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But first, NOLA NOTE: I recently returned from my annual trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference where I was told by several professionals I am, in fact, doing the Write Thing (aw, see what I did there?). Most importantly, the Godfather (who shall otherwise remain nameless, to protect the innocent) gave me some words of wisdom on how to proceed. In particular, he opened the conversation with, “Why didn’t you come to me for publishing advice?” To which I gulpedshiveredreplied, “I didn’t know I could.” Yeah. So, now I have a mentor for future writings, and, you know, a little eleventh-hour input into NOLA. I’d love to have y’all join my private Facebook group for more information, memes, and all-around fun. (Don’t worry, the Godfather won’t be there.) You can join on Facebook by clicking here: NOLA Swarm. [Side Note: Pray for the return of Bee the Zebra and Whisper, as they did not make their way home in the luggage, and are somewhere, I hope, still on the Ridgecrest Campus, waiting for my rescue.]
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Have you seen Whisper and Bee the Zebra?
And now, the post you’ve all been waiting for:
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Eight Habits of a Slightly Unsuccessful Author:
Isolate yourself. Writers are lonely, crazy beings with no people skills whatsoever. We have no understanding of human nature, and say things we can’t edit. You most certainly will not learn anything by holding unnecessary conversations, especially with other writers. If you must socialize, do so in small groups, and in small doses.
Drink copious amounts of coffee. From noon to 3pm, drink gallons of decaf. At 6pm, drink another cup of espresso for good measure. Sleep two hours. Wake up and start all over. Your brain will thank you for it, even if your body doesn’t. If you must drink other than coffee, add something to it. Like fermented grapes.
Write, don’t read. You don’t have time to pay attention to someone else’s works. It’s imperative you put your own words on paper, in whatever fashion you can. There’s nothing to learn by reading classics or books within your genre. Who cares about the writing style of someone else, or supporting your friends already in print? If you must read, read outside your genre, and read things that will allow your mind to wander as your eyes skim the pages.
Don’t diversify your creativity. It’s best to focus on your writing and master it completely. Train your discipline. Give up photography, scrapbooking, creative journaling and the like. Other people have multiple interests, but that’s not you. So write. And, only write. If you must express creativity in other ways, don’t let others know about it. Don’t invest in it. And never share it on Instagram.
Write only what you know. Stay away from fantastical ideas, and topics you’re unfamiliar with. Research? Who has time for research? World-building? That’s too complicated. If you must write new material, use nonsensical words and settings and make it too complicated for others to understand.
Write when the muse hits you. Don’t worry about setting a time to write every day. Writer’s block? That’s for other writers, the ones who aren’t as focused. Because whenever you sit down, the words always flow without stopping. If you must write on a schedule, make sure to have multiple journals and lists available so you can jot a thousand grocery items and ten ways to fix the house as these thoughts will invariably demand your attention.
Don’t feed your muse. Stay away from inspirational movies and music. Don’t play with your food, enjoy nature walks, or travel. These will only inspire you in other ways and thus confuse your writing. If you must feed the muse, don’t enjoy the arts or have new experiences. This will only deter you from your true calling of being a writer.
Never, ever continue writing unless what you’ve already written is perfect. Brain-dumping and first drafts are myths and will not help you clear your head. Definitely do not use place-filler text [“Write Something Here About Rain’s past relationship with Cheryl and have him hint at why he no longer trusts Penny Jo”]. If you must write imperfectly and continuously, do not revisit those pages. They will only depress you and keep you from getting to the true heart of your story.
LEAVE A COMMENT: What tips and habits do you cultivate for your craft?
With a blank page and a full glass, Happy Writing. ~Molly Jo
Frankly, My Dear . . . Savor the Journey!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Bohemian Hurricane
Molly Jo is better known as the Bohemian Hurricane. She is the author/curator of The Unemployment Cookbook and several eBooks available on Amazon. Her work-in-progress, NOLA, is a romantic mystery novel set in New Orleans, and the first in her City Series.
There’s something beautiful in the death of Gene Wilder.
Not that dying is beautiful. But he kept his final struggles from the world, stating “He simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world.”
Of all his characters, Willy Wonka is my favorite. Maybe because he was born from a children’s book. Maybe because the candy is colorful. What child doesn’t want to live in a world that’s completely edible? Maybe because, as I grow older, I understand Wonka’s snarky comments on humankind more and more.
This is one of those celebrity deaths that will bother me for a while. But, because he wouldn’t want the world to be sad, tonight I’ll watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and remember what he taught me about success.
1. All it takes is Pure Imagination.
Willy Wonka: All It Takes Is Pure Imagination.
Without imagination, there is no forward movement. Goals don’t drop out of the sky, and success is never overnight. Start with a dream, come up with a plan, and never stop moving forward.
2. Be sweet. Be salty. Be balanced.
Willy Wonka: Be Sweet. Be Salty. Be Balanced.
Sure, the world is better when sugar’s involved. But too much sugar makes you sick. Not enough makes you mean. So move forward with enough sweetness to brighten someone’s day. But bring enough salt to preserve your place in the world, to leave your own flavor, and balance things out.
3. Don’t give up. Your Golden Ticket is out there.
Willy Wonka: You Have More Chance, Because You Want It More.
You have to get through a lot of pushy people who will try to interfere on your way to success. Haters gonna hate, right? No worries. As Grandpa Joe said when Charlie asked if he had a chance to win, “You’ve got more, Charlie, because you want it more.” So keep on keeping on, always believe in yourself, and, bonus, you get to eat more chocolate along the way. But remember this, too: Charlie thought the Golden Ticket was lost to him. Several times. Others were winning. He cried himself to sleep. He was miserable. And then, he was a winner. Don’t give up. Your Golden Ticket is out there.
4. Take care of the little people.
Willy Wonka: Take Care of the Little People.
Wonka didn’t get to be who we was all on his own. No, he had help. But bigger than that, he felt a responsibility. The Oompa Loompas were more than his workers. They took care of him, and he took care of them. There were plenty of Wangdoodles and Hornswogglers and Snozzwangers and rotten Vermicious Knids out to get them. Going beyond the employer-employee scope, he gave the Oompa Loompas opportunity, safety, comfort, and shelter. Now that’s something to sing about, yah?
5. Don’t be a brat.
Willy Wonka: Tell Me Again What the World Owes You?
There were five Golden Ticket winners. Five kids and their guardians had the chance to inherit the kingdom. But four didn’t deserve it. Charlie didn’t either, truth be told. But Charlie did something the others didn’t: He ‘fessed up. He went to the source, apologized, and tried to make things better. The others laid claim without blame. That is, they took what they perceived as theirs, without consideration of how their acts would affect others. Charlie and Grandpa Joe went to Willy Wonka, returned the Everlasting Gobstopper, and expected to walk away empty-handed. Their sincerity won Willy Wonka over, and won them the lifetime supply of chocolate. See? There’s a reason your momma told you stop smacking your gum!
6. Just roll with it.
Willy Wonka: Just Roll With It.
Let’s face it: The Chocolate Factory is a magical place but there were some, uh, problems. Like Augustus Gloop going down the river and up the pipe. And Mike TeeVee transmitting himself into tiny particles. And Veruca and Violet with their all-about-me attitudes. Did any of that bother The Candy Man? Not at all. He thought, talked it out, delegated, and moved forward. That’s a recipe for sweet success!
7. Success doesn’t mean selling off the store.
Willy Wonka: Don’t Sell the Geese Who Laid the Golden Eggs.
When you find what works, hold onto it. Invest in it, protect it, grow it. But don’t give it up to the highest bidder. Success is a maintenance plan, not a service order.
8. Don’t forget who you are.
Willy Wonka: We Are the Music Makers, and We Are the Dreamers of Dreams.
Successful people know one thing: Who they are. They learn, grow, change, revert, detour, strive, push, pull . . . But they are always in motion. They may not always know where they’re going, or how they’ll get there.
But they believe in themselves. And their dreams.
And they’re the ones who get the sweet rewards.
Rest in Peace, Gene Wilder. Thank you for giving us the best of Willy Wonka.
After my peeps joined my campaign to bring Raven to Bedford Manor [Translation: When my family and friends supported my fundraiser to buy a new laptop], I was approached by several friends and associates who asked for advice on crowdfunding.
Now, before I get into all that, I need to let y’all in on a not-so-secret. I’ve been pursuing knowledge this year like never before. I’ve attended conferences, used Google like a best friend, and sought information from anyone willing to share it.
And I’ve learned that I’ve already learned a lot. It’s time to use my knowledge. It’s time to grow.
I’m a writer, right? So what’s This Girl to do with some of this wisdom, but, well, write it out? I know, bet ya didn’t see that one coming, did ya? [*insert snarky comment here*]
In a mutually beneficial effort to not only get my Social Media Ninja name out there, and to help others, I published a new Kindle booklet: Crowdfunding Your Way to Success.
I did this because my most recent crowdfunding campaign, Molly Needs A Mac, was so successful and I want to help others exceed their goals and needs. It’s also my second completed project on my new Mac (the first was setting up and producing last week’s Firsts In Fiction Podcast). See? I told y’all I’d continue to strive to be worthy of your investment.
So if you’re thinking of crowdfunding your next creative endeavor, you’ll find some helpful tips in my new Kindle booklet. Just click on the photo for the link.
Crowdfunding Your Way to Success by Molly Jo Realy
As always,
With a huge jar of pennies and quite a bit of sweet tea,
~Molly Jo
This is my new Samsonite carry-on suitcase. I picked it up last week during Kohl’s super sale.
“Oh, the places you’ll go!”
I was so excited I posted the photo to my NOLA Facebook group. As I started keying in the description, the realization of why this suitcase is so important became clear.
At the store, I thought it was just a nice suitcase, in a nice color. But I didn’t really need it. It wasn’t really necessary.
But once I took Green home, it spoke to me. “I’m never empty. I’m always full of promise. Adventure. A future. Dreams. Success. Something Good. Trust me.””New,” it says. “Look forward, not behind,” it beckons. “Change is good,” it offers. “It’s okay to let go,” it comforts. “I’ll protect,” it promises. It was half price, and I had a 20%-off coupon, plus I received $20 back in Kohl’s Cash. This $240 suitcase cost me less than $90, and it’s already worth the investment.Because it’s an investment in me. In my dreams, hopes, excursions. It makes it okay to think about the future. It tells me there are places out there I’m going to, and it fills me with a sense of adventure. I’m going to soar, and Green is coming with me.
As I write this post, when I first shared the photo on Facebook and Instagram, when I wrapped my hand around the handle and took it off the store shelf, and all the times in between when I think of it, I hear Dr. Seuss telling me “Oh, the places you’ll go!”
I didn’t know how much I needed the promise this suitcase could give. I can’t explain why I’m so full of gratitude and longing and thankfulness and excitement and anticipation and confidence. I just know I am. And it feels marvelous. There’s a world out there waiting for me to embrace it. And I’m on my way.
This is my suitcase. This is my green suitcase. This is the color of my company. My lucky bamboo. Frogs. My writing chair. Lizzie Cat’s eyes. My Narnia room.
Get out of your own way, and just step. Just once. And then once more.
Do it. Do it and you’ll be amazed.
Do it.
Take that first step.
This is your nudge.
Know how I know? I’ve been nudged myself lately.
I’m familiar with the comfortable. Comfortable with the familiar. But it’s time to get moving.
Whatever it is, take that first step.
Success stories don’t just happen. Those scars are earned. These badges are claimed. People don’t just hand them to you. Failures aren’t failures. They’re the successful attempts of finding out what doesn’t work.
I’ve a few projects in the works, and one I’m not sure how to start.
What if it really is just that simple?
What if starting this project means just doing it?
Putting aside my doubts, insecurities, preparations and pre-planning. What if doing what I’m supposed to do means just doing it?
What would I be doing if this project were ready to go? I’d be working it. Not thinking about it. Not scheduling it. Planning it. Contemplating it. Worrying about it. Structuring it.
I’d be working it. Not letting it work me over.
It really is just that simple.
Take the first step.
I’m on a path that I can’t see the end of. Maybe I’m not supposed to. Maybe this is part of stepping out in faith. Maybe an unforeseen part of this project is that some of it is still unforeseen. Maybe I just need to stop saying “maybe…” and instead say
“Yes!”
And everywhere I look, I’m being nudged onto the path. Pushed to participate.
I’m no longer on the sidelines, waiting for direction.
