Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Just. Keep. Writing.

Keep Writing.

Two little words that mean so much. Today I saw possibly the best writing post ever: http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2011/08/solution-to-every-writing-problem-that.html

Former agent, and current author, Nathan Bransford posted The Solution to Every Writing Problem that has Ever Existed. His solution? “Keep writing.”

I enjoy Nathan’s posts, but this one rocked in its simplicity. Any writing problem you have will resolve itself if you JUST keep writing. Don’t fret, don’t panic, don’t storm around yelling at your barrista about how misunderstood you are…JUST KEEP WRITING.

It reminded me of a quote a screenwriter once told me, “You can’t fail, you can only quit.” If you don’t quit, then you’re never a failure because you’re still in progress. And as long as you keep writing, creating, learning, WRITING, you’ll eventually find the solution to all of your writing problems.

These concepts are simple to hear, difficult to internalize. We, aka “humans”, make life far more difficult than it needs to be. We as writers (hopefully, also humans) make our writing lives far more painful, scary, confusing, and depressing than they need to be.

We just need to write. We need to not quit.

Now go out there and do something nice for your favorite writer (look in a mirror folks ;)) and get back to work!

6 comments:

  1. I just came across a WONDERFUL post on rejection and writing- kinda ties in with the whole Just Keep Writing concept ;). If the link doesn work- just go to Query Tracker's blog for today :)

    http://querytracker.blogspot.com/2011/08/fear-rejection-writers-block-guest-post.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+QueryTracker+%28QueryTracker.net%29

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  2. Hi Marie - thanks for the post. Yep, I'd have the same advice. Keep writing. Hone the craft. Learn the trade. Never give up.
    The rules all writers live by, whether we whine or not, ha!

    *waving*

    Linda
    www. lindathomas-sundstrom. com

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  3. Great post, Marie! I'm taking your advice and getting back to work now! ;)

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  4. Thanks for swinging by Linda and Cori ;). Yeah, sometimes the whining feels good Linda- as long as we get right back into battle :)

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  5. Excellent advice!!!! :)

    In my head I always hear DOrie the fish in finding Nemo singing "Just keep typing, just keep typing..." LOL

    You probably need to have seen the movie to get the reference, but.... :)

    Great blog Marie!

    Lisa :)

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  6. LOL!!!! Thanks Lisa! I love that movie but hadn't thought of that- however it's PERFECT!

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