My Writing Ramblings: The Power of Yes and No.

Hello everyone. I hope you’re all having a wonderful start to February. January was a long old month (it always seems to be for me.)

I’ve attempted to jump into planning my novel over the last few weeks (at times I have been able.) I am discovering the power of yes and no.

I’ve previously not had a good track record when it comes to my writing time. I don’t always protect it. It has been easy for me to say ‘I’ll write some tomorrow.’

I am the queen of procrastination.

I think a lot of this is down to my attitude. I don’t see myself as a writer and so I reason with myself and say it doesn’t matter. Well, guess what… it does matter. It matters a lot.

One big lesson I am trying to take on board this week is the power of yes and no.

YES, I will make time to get to a specified word count so I gradually build my first draft. YES I will keep myself to that promise.

NO, I won’t sit down and watch box sets or let myself get distracted as easily until I have written some words down. No, I won’t keep telling myself I’m not a writer.

Writing needs to be approached as a job would be. It needs that respect.

Taking yourself seriously as a writer will go a long way toward keeping that writing habit. Giving yourself a reward each day I find also helps.

To all the new writers, learn when to say yes and no. Give yourself a chance to try.

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.