Do you want to write a book? The best writing advice in two words

What is the best advice you can listen to to help you write a book?

Two words: show. The more you show up to write your book, the more likely you are not only to write a book but also to finish and publish it.

Here is its value. Appearing to write a book, whether you do it systematically or daily, reveals that you take yourself seriously and that you give yourself with love as a writer.

A writer who attended my workshop said: "I realized that my life is always writing again ... Now I don't wait for time and space to write my book. I take the time to write daily and hang on to it. And I write ... well. "

Another writer from one of my groups of writers echoed this wisdom: "These two words," show ", were the most important writing tips I received for writing my book. I introduce myself and I write for a few hours every day, writing is what I like to do, it is also the discipline I need to make my book, writing does not flow on some days I feel silent, on other days I search for my book. Rewriting can seem tedious and endless. But seeming to write the book, whatever happens at the time of writing, is part of When I appeared, I finished my manuscript. "

I recently attended a presentation by a successful screenwriter who also knew the importance of showing up for writing. While already a successful screenwriter, she also became a wife and mother. She continued to write at home, but her children began to interrupt her regularly. He couldn't focus on his writing and maintain creative momentum. Does this sound familiar?

This writer had no doubts. She sat down with her family and said, "I love you. You are important to me. But it's also about writing. And I can't write when you interrupt me. So it's your choice. I can stay at home and write or rent a space and write or go to a cafeteria to write. But know that I will do whatever it takes to keep writing. "

The miracle of miracles, her children started respecting her writing space and she could stay at home to write after all.

I have also found that "appearing" is essential to my writing process. Although I think you only need 15 minutes a day, a few days a week to start writing a book, I also believe in the value of appearance. Therefore. This consistency in the practice of writing allows your writer to become strong. It lets your writer know on a deep visceral level that you are there to appear. Most of the time, you will not follow the multitude of other voices that call you to go, do, live, work, play, play something other than writing a book.

Right now, I'm writing a novel. And as I have found with the other books I have written, at some point in the process, a book in progress claims its need for commitment more of its time, more of its constant presence, of its follow-up, of his appearance to be born himself the same.

This need was presented recently, and I took the plunge to appear and write my book with an open heart. The novel finally reveals to me the fullness of itself in a constant flow of words, a constant flow of words and ideas and the next steps. I immerse myself and I go between writing, sketching, tracing and research, a dance of water in the depths of what is presented to me in the calm moments of the morning or evening.

I show up every day 5 to 6 days a week, even if I can't, I shouldn't. And the more I do, the more I easily slip into the writing gap, into the silence from which words are born to write a book. Dreams come at night to support him too. Ideas, phrases, and scenes appear unexpectedly when I am busy for the rest of my workday or while taking a walk in nature.

Going to write a book is a commitment you and I have to make over and over again. One morning I was able to wake up "too tired" to write. I can feel uninspired. Or, the "pending tasks" of my workday. My cat wants to play when I sit down to write. Or I remember an email that needs to be "answered". I feel the pull of the war rope which threatens to prevent me from writing. I recognize it Drop the rope.

Then I turn to my desk and tell myself that I may not have the energy to do it. But I will give the novel at least 15 minutes or an hour. This is something. Even if I sit there.

And before I know it, it's been a few hours and I've given myself to the creative process.

Your "appearance" for writing your book doesn't have to look like mine. In fact, the mine changes from book to book, from project to project. But whatever I do, I look more like a marathon runner than a writer. Other writers are sprinters. A writer friend advances their current novel only the day or two before each meeting of our group of shared writers. Then write and rewrite for several hours before the group, and come in with brilliant writing gems.

Whether you appear or not, writing has patience. He will wait If he cannot commit immediately if he does not appear in a day or a month, he will forgive him again and again. Then when you appear, it will reach you with such purity, so much sweetness and confidence that you open your soft petals and open your soft petals. Because what your writing likes are intimacy. What he likes is mutuality. What he likes are the gifts you co-create to share with others. What he likes is filling the stillness, the empty spaces of your heart with the slow dance of words. What he likes is the joy you find in introducing yourself.