Second Article in the Series:
Ready, Sit, Go

Getting ready to write is a big deal! It’s like getting ready to go on vacation. You remember what that’s like. You don’t want to start out without all your stuff, a map to where you are going and an idea of what you want to do when you get there, right?

Getting ready to write is similar. Let’s not just sit down and scribble away and then try to make sense out of it. Get ready. Today, I want to share some tips that will get your juices going.

Tip 1. I want you to think of someone (alive or not, real or not) who you would just really, really love to read your book/story/poem. Don’t read on until you think of someone. Now, imagine that person receiving your work in a gift box, wrapped up, tissue paper around the book/story/poem. You can see the front cover. It’s got your name on it and inside the book cover, it reads, “To _____________,” signed by You. Imagine that person is SO excited to get this gift. He/she may not know you at all, but this is the book/story/poem they’ve been looking for. Imagine this person clutching your work close to the heart with a smile on his/her face.

Tip 2. Another exercise to do is to play the “If Only” game.

• If only I were rich, I’d be published.
• If only I didn’t have kids to take care of, I’d write more.
• If only I weren’t so busy, I’d write a book for Oprah’s Book Club.
• If only I were married to someone else, it would be easier to write every day.
• If only…start filling in the blanks for yourself.
• If only ____________________________________.
• If only ____________________________________.

The real name of this game is the “Blame Game.” As long as we blame others, we remain stuck, feeling hopeless and helpless. But, you can change that. If writing is something that’s important to you, spend your time writing instead of blaming. Find 15-minutes two days a week. A baby step. Hint: you’re allowed to write more than 15 minutes.

It takes courage to write. We get caught up in feeling scared that we’re not enough and play the “If Only” game. Becoming aware of what you think is holding you back is a first step. Take some time to plan what you want to do without blaming others. Create positive actions that you’ll need to take to start writing soon.

Remember, someone special is waiting to read your work.