Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Inspiration

I'm sure that all of us have some sort of "inspiration" that gets us writing, whether it's a person, and idea, or whatever.

The best thing that gets me writing, is thinking and reading about writing. I've recently discovered a bunch of authors blogs, and have them bookmarked on my browser. I've heard somewhere that if you write down a goal, you have a better chance or achieving it. But you also have to actually go out and be proactive about it. You can't just sit there and hope it happens.

So, I've decided to be proactive about my goal of having a published book someday.

One way I've decided to be proactive is to consider myself as a writer. I'm not aspiring, I'm not hoping, I AM a writer.

I've been reading books on writing. Books about the passion of writing, better plots, better dialogue, and better characters.

I'm taking an online writing course. It's through the BYU online education, and they have two creative writing classes. They are only $28, since you don't get college credit for them.

And I'm trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can about writing/editing/publishing. Afterall, knowledge is power. I've been checking out authors websites and blogs to read their advice. I've been reading LDS Publisher to get some ideas of what to expect when it's time to submit a manuscript. I'm starting to participate in Tristi's Challenges to get myself motivated to do more writing and editing.

And of course, I really enjoy meeting authors. I met a few when I was a teenager, and the thought of meeting an author was 10 times better than the thought of meeting a celebrity. Always fun to "hang out" or meet people that you aspire to be like someday.

6 comments:

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I loved this post. It echoed many of my own thoughts about my own writing!

Josi said...

Great ideas, I love that you've immersed yourself in all things writing. I'm planning on taking an online course as well--I really need one on grammar. maybe I'll check out BYUs options.

Also, have you thought about coming to the LDStorymaker writing conference in March? there's info about it at www.ldstorymakers.com or at www.sixldswriters.blogspot.com, it's a post or two down the page

keep up the good work

Annette Lyon said...

I second Josi's idea--come hang out with lots of authors at the conference!

Unknown said...

Those conferences are the best in the world--well, in Utah at least :-) Hope you can make it.

Rebecca Talley said...

Great post. And, I second, or third, the idea of coming to the conference in March. You'll be able to meet a lot of authors and learn a ton. (It's also a blast!)

Stephanie Humphreys said...

Thinking of yourself as a writer is the hardest part sometimes. My husband does a better job of it when he tells everyone that he is married to a writer. I always get a little embarrassed, but I need to get over that. And do come to the LDStorymakers conference. I went for the first time last year and decided I would try to make every one from now on. I enjoyed it so much.