Go From Strength to Strength: 5 Tips to Achieve Your Writing Dreams
Do you look longingly at a writing project yet hesitate to do it because you feel uncertain or maybe even a little afraid? Maybe you want to write a book or eBook or start a blog. Perhaps you want to write a story or your memories. Possibly you want to write a presentation or create a product. What writing project would you like to do, but you put it off?
On a recent hiking adventure, I discovered some principles that also apply to facing the challenge of a new writing project and achieving your writing dreams.
I gazed up wistfully at the red rocks in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, CO. The trail leading up to their heights tempted me. My sister Kathi, who is an avid hiker, affectionately known as the “mountain goat” of the family, had told me that the best views belong to those who dare to hike up into the mountains. I had done little hiking, and the altitude certainly affected my stamina. However, I decided the next day to add to my daily walk, a hike.
The next morning, I pulled into the parking lot near the Garden of the Gods tourist store and noted an adorable dog hanging out the window in the vehicle next to me. I struck up a conversation with the owner, a man half my age. As we chatted, I shared my dream of a hiking adventure. In parting, he looked at me and protectively said, “Pace yourself.”
I walked to the edge of the trail and contemplated the climb. The first part went straight up in a steady climb. As I ascended, my breathing grew heavier, and puffs of red dust covered my shoes. The climb definitely challenged me on this hot August day. I’d pause and glance back at the view of the Pikes Peak mountain range to motivate me to keep going. Finally, remembering the admonition to pace myself, I made my way to the shade of a tree and decided that was enough for the day. As stood there under the tree, the beautiful view of the mountains rewarded me.
The next day, my cousin gave me a ski pole to use as a walking stick. I headed out again and with the pole to stabilize me. I climbed further up into the rocks, pushing myself a little further. Once I climbed up onto the large red rocks, I savored the accomplishment and an even greater view of the mountain range.
On the third day, with the pole, I climbed way high into the rocks and saw a more stunning view. The contrast of the red rocks against the mountain range captivated me.
On the fourth day, I forgot the pole in the car and wondered how I would do. However, I need not have been concerned because I scampered up the trail to the high places. My gradual increase, day by day, built my stamina. Because of my hard work and efforts, I enjoyed the most magnificent views.
An analogy to starting a new writing project came to mind.
At first, your next writing project or learning how to write may seem a little scary or difficult. You will find yourself out of your comfort zone as you embrace an unfamiliar path. At the same time, you desire a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
Here are some principles I gleaned from my hike, that will help you move from wistfully desiring to write to a pleasurable sense of accomplishment.
5 Tips to Achieve Your Writing Dreams
*Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Be willing to take the risk and embrace the challenge. As I gazed up at the heights of the trail where I wanted to be, I had to decide to push out of my comfort zone.
*Take the first step. The first step is often the hardest. Once you start, you will find it easier to keep the momentum going. If I was going to enjoy the desired views, I had to start climbing.
*Keep your eye on the view you’ll see or the goal you’ll achieve. This will keep your motivation going. Pleasure motivates us. The pleasure of accomplishment comes to those willing to do the pain of the hard work. As the climb grew harder, the pleasure of the view I would see inspired me to keep going.
*Take action and practice. The more you take action, the better you get and the greater views you will see. Think of the Olympians. Through repeated practice, they win the gold. The more you take action and practice your writing, the better you will get. You will gain more confidence, especially if you are learning how to write better, implementing and refining your writing skills. You will go from strength to strength and level to level as I did in my hiking.
*Seek support. When I shared with my cousin about my hiking, he suggested the ski pole. Other writers can give you tips, which will help you make better progress. You can take an online writing course such as “How to Write for Fun and Profit” or go to a writing conference or join a writing or critique group.
Do these things and you will savor a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, you can enjoy the view each step of the way.
Go now and enjoy the gift of writing!
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8 Benefits of a Daily Writing Habit
I’m celebrating achieving my writing goals for another month of writing every single day as a result of participating in an online daily writing challenge for twenty months since January, 2014. I’ve discovered some benefits from dragging, pulling and pushing myself to meet this challenge.
Eight Benefits of a Daily Writing Habit
1. Stronger. As I force myself to overcome the emotional resistance and obstacles, my self-discipline is strengthened. I feel stronger.
2. Self-Discipline. The self-discipline of consistency enables and benefits me in other areas of my life.
3. Capture Moments. I capture beneficial insights, anecdotes, journal entries and stories that otherwise would be lost.
4. Book material. Consistent themes emerge that will eventually be three or four books so I’m making progress in writing my books.
5. Legacy. Stories are written to pass down a legacy to my children and grandchildren and creates potential material for articles, magazines etc.
6. Reflection. I get to process my day and gain insight from situations. We don’t get much time for reflection in our demanding and busy lives. Writing forces and gives time to mine the treasures of the day.
7. Better Writer. I’m growing as a writer. Practicing writing strategies in my daily writing refines my writing skills.
8. Satisfaction. My eyes are more open, my ears more attuned and my mind more alert to the gems in everyday life so I find more purpose and fulfillment in life.
Writing daily is not an easy habit to develop but it has a great deal of benefits and it’s worth it!
If you’d like to grow in your productivity and overcome some of your writing fears, come join this writing support group. Also, check out my book on Amazon kindle, “From Stuck to Success: Conquer Your Fears and Achieve Your Writing Dreams.”
If you would like to learn to write or learn to write better or write your story, check out my writing course,“How to Write for Fun and Profit.”
Discover the benefits of writing for yourself.
Go write now.
Enjoy the gift of writing!
#strengthtostrength, #fromstucktosuccess, #writenow, #writeyourstorynow, #sharonrosegibsonnuggets, #enjoythegiftofwriting, #15minutewriter.com
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Writing a Responsibility? You’re Not Alone
Do you ever feel the weight of writing as a responsibility? If so, read on and you’ll find five tips to ease the load.
For me, being a writer is both a blessing and a burden.
A blessing because I see all the stories, life lessons and wisdom nuggets in everyday life. Like butterflies, they light on my shoulder and fascinate me with their beauty.
A burden because I have to write them down as soon as possible. Otherwise like butterflies, they quickly fly away and I forget them.
In our busy lives. with all the responsibilities of work and daily living, sometimes writing it all down is a challenge!
I have my daily writing plus writing the books I’m working on. For example, I did my daily w
riting in the morning yesterday. However, throughout the day I had a number of things happen that I wanted to write about as well. By the time I got home it was too late and I needed to go to bed. Before I went to bed, I scribbled down notes to remind me what to write.
Now I feel the burden of needing to write all that down today. Sometimes my writing feels like several crying babies who will not be satisfied until I sit down and feed them. This is what I mean by my writing is both a blessing and a burden. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the role I play as a writer and the call on my life to write.
How about you? Do you have thoughts, stories or books on your heart and mind that you feel a responsibility to share? Do you sometimes feel alone in bearing this responsibility? You’re not alone because this is common to writers. You can find ways to ease the burden so you can enjoy the blessings more.
Five Tips To Lighten the Load
- Be brief. Write down the nuggets, ideas or stories briefly. When you don’t have enough time to write, write down enough words to trigger your memory.
- Write soon. Write as soon as possible after you have the thought or idea. This way you can capture it while it’s fresh on your mind. If you have a phone with recording capabilities, you can record your thoughts to transcribe later.
- Prioritize writing. Move writing to the top of your list even if you have to let some other things go. Good activities can take away from your writing. Let some social media or email time, TV or other things go.
- Think Small. Look for small increments of time you can set aside to write even if it’s for 15 minutes. If you can’t get it all written, write what you can and look for other opportunities. Once you get started, you’ll want to came back to it.
- Allow imperfection. Let go of perfectionism. Don’t worry if your writing is rough. Simply get it written down. You can always refine it later.
Would you like to learn to write better? If so, I’d love to teach you and encourage you in your writing. Check out some of the ways I can serve you here and my writing course, “How to Write for Fun and Profit.” How do you assume your responsibility as a writer? What works for you? Share with us in the comments below.
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Achieve Your Writing Dreams By Creating Momemtum
Do you have a goal, dream or desire in your heart you want to pursue?
Yesterday in my daily writing challenge group, the writing prompt invited us to look back on our writing goals. They suggested we look at our progress and write about what we didn’t expect.
More than a year has gone by since I started the challenge to write daily. I’m in my second year of the writing discipline. I share because the principle applies to any dream you pursue. By sharing my experience, I hope it will encourage you to persist in pursuing your dreams.
One thing I didn’t expect is the momentum gained in the challenge to write daily. The longer I meet the writing goals, the more this drives me.
Many times when I’ve been tempted to quit, I cannot because of the momentum. I don’t know how to describe this phenomenon, but action produces action and keeps me going. I miss a day occasionally.
Still, I find it easier to go for it again because of the momentum. At times I want to give it up and quit the challenge, but I cannot. Part of it is because I find writing rewarding. I feel a sense of satisfaction after I’ve made my writing goal for the day.
Other benefits reward me.
I feel a sense of satisfaction of the insight that comes from writing and reflecting on life’s experiences.
Sometimes what I wrote, fits in with one of my stories I want to preserve for my legacy.
Writing daily improves my writing skills. Editing comes easier.
Momentum brings all these benefits.
Action after action creates the driving force and keeps the energy going.
More than a year has gone by since I started the challenge to write daily and now I’m in my second year of the writing discipline.
Discipline is difficult, but it brings rewards. The momentum created by the discipline is a pleasant surprise.
The secret is consistency. Consistency creates momentum. Momentum keeps you going.
The key to developing consistency is finding encouragement, support, and accountability.
For this reason, I created a writing group where you can find encouragement, support, and accountability by clicking here.
These three factors can help you develop a habit and keep you consistent.
Pursue your dreams with consistent action. Create momentum. You will experience the satisfaction of achieving your goals!
This proverb encourages me and I hope it will you as well in the pursuit of your dreams. “The desires of the diligent will be fully satisfied.” Proverbs 13:4 (NIV)
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What I Learned From My Daily Writing Challenge
One year ago in January, 2014 I joined a writing group, challenging us to write 500 words daily. Jeff Goins who started the group asked us today, what we’ve learned as a result of the writing challenge.
Here’s some of the many things I’ve learned.
- I can reign in my creative self to be disciplined enough to write consistently on a daily basis.
- I need to know someone cares what I have to say and is listening, caring and following even if it’s few. Encouragement, support and accountability is vital.
- Writing daily is a whole lot harder than I ever thought and a whole lot easier once I’ve got the momentum going.
- I have more stories, lessons learned, wisdom nuggets to write and share than I ever dreamed.
- I feel relieved when I write because the weight of what’s in my heart is now out of me and recorded.
- Writing improves with the sheer practice of doing it.
- I still make many mistakes and it’s okay because the most important thing is to get it written and out there.
When you stretch yourself to exercise a new discipline, if you’ll stay with it, the discipline will reward you. You will experience the rewards of your diligence in many ways both subtle and obvious.
Go write NOW.
Enjoy the Gift of Writing!
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Writing Tip ~ Find Your Fresh Voice
Are you finding freedom in expressing your voice, your unique writing style?
I think it’s important to celebrate little as well as big achievements in our lives. So yesterday I bought flowers and basked in the glow of achievement.
With joy, I celebrated a couple of speaking opportunity that came my way for “Write Your Story NOW” and I celebrated completing my monthly writing goals as part of the 500 word a day writing challenge group. Once again for the month of September I wrote, Every. Single. Day.
When I gazed at the flower selection to make my choice, these pink and white mums captured my attention. They reminded me of when my Colombian daughter, Rosita, graduated from high school.
She had two outfits she debated on for her senior party. One of them I preferred and wanted her to wear. However, she liked the pink and white one better.
“Which one do you like mom?” She asked me in a tone that told me she wanted to please me.
“I like this one,” I pointed to the other one, “but I want you to choose which one you like better. This is your party and I want you to feel good in what you wear.”
When she chose the other one, I was mildly disappointed she didn’t chose the one I favored. However, she had a sense of freedom and she looked so cute and fresh in her pink and white outfit, my feelings quickly changed to delight.
I’m in a season in my life where I no longer want to please everyone else and fit into a mold. I’ve been fighting to allow myself to nurture my more creative self while meeting business expectations. Not easy.
The flowers remind me that it’s okay for me too to be who I want to be and to wear what I want and to be the voice in the writing world that I want to be.
My voice may not please everyone and may not fit in a mold but like my daughter in her pink and white, my contribution can be delightful, fresh and free.
Maybe you can relate to some of this about finding your unique voice. I would love to support you in discovering your voice and expressing it well. You can also learn how to write or learn creative writing strategies in the “How to Write for Fun and Profit” writing course.
To overcome your fears about expressing your voice, you’ll find tips, encouragement and strategies in this book,”From Stuck to Success: Conquer Your Fears and Achieve Your Writing Dreams.“
Sometimes you have to break out of the mold of what your family or culture likes and find a new path. Discover your unique voice. Be free to express it and share it with us. The world needs to hear what you have to say.
Go Write now.
Enjoy the Gift of Writing!
3 Writing Tips ~ Having Fun With Fire
What do you see in the flames?
When I drove home tonight, I spotted flames shooting into the sky in a grass field by our local university. Out of curiosity, I went over to investigate a unusually large bonfire with students gathered around it. Turns out they had created it for an event.
As I stood there, the variety of shapes the flames created intrigued me so I snapped these photos. Each time I took a photo, the shapes changed.
My imagination took over. I see faces, men. women and maybe angels in the flames.
What do you see?
The photos I shot of the wood burning intrigues me simply because of the different shapes of the wood.
I could have simply turned left instead of right to go home but I took a moment to enrich my life with a mini adventure.
Now I’m inviting you to join in the play.
What do you see?
Maybe you don’t want to share but do take a creative moment of joy in all the interesting shapes of the flames.
What does this have to do with writing?
If you’re going to be a writer you have to be able to see and share what others don’t so they can see too.
3 Creative Writing Tips
- Look for the intrigue in every day life.
- Do something out of your routine to find the extraordinary in the ordinary.
- Activate your imagination by letting your creative side out.
If you want to learn how to write, how to write better or creative writing check out this online writing course, “How to Write for Fun and Profit.” If it meets your needs, I’d love to work with you.
If you’d like more encouragement, productivity tips and strategies to overcome your writing fears, check out this book, “From Stuck to Success: Conquer Your Fears and Achieve Your Writing Dreams.”
In conclusion, ponder these questions.
- How can you break out of your routine to be open to the extraordinary?
- What do you see that intrigues you in everyday life?
- How can you share that in your writing?
When you have fun with your writing, others will too.
Enjoy the Gift of Writing!
Writing Tips From A Butterfly Painting
Do you want to attract people to you as a writer?
One way is to be unique and different in how you express yourself. I’ve discovered that doing creative activities in other areas helps me be more creative and unique in my writing.
For example, in my last watercolor class I painted a butterfly. My teacher is an accomplished artist in the master’s category. She’s made her living as a freelance artist and some of her originals designs and art work are breathtaking.
In class, we drew a simple butterfly. First of all, I traced over my teacher’s lines with tracing paper. As I did so, my mind focused on the movement of my hand and how it felt copying her lines. I broke each section down and got a feel for how the lines went together. 
Copying the masters is a good way to learn art techniques according to my sister who is a well known color pencil artist and art coach. She’s taught me that it’s a good idea to copy the masters as a learning experience.
After copying my teacher, when I went to draw my own butterfly my confidence in drawing had been strengthened. She had carefully explained her strategies, design and composition decisions.
As we painted, she shared her thinking and strategies. I listened and followed her art principles but created my own version of the butterfly. Much to my delight, my simple butterfly painting as an budding artist expressed an inspired uniqueness.
I reflected on how this applies to writing. We can learn the strategies and techniques of more advanced writers by reading their work and learning from how they write well. Then we take those principles and create something that is uniquely ours. My butterfly though imperfect and not as advanced as an experienced artist brought me satisfaction and joy. In the same way, you can enjoy implementing creative writing strategies at whatever level you’re at and find satisfaction and joy.
This is why I love to work with students sharing the online writing course, “How to Write for Fun and Profit.” You learn writing strategies that the masters use to craft their bestselling books, stories and memories. Check it out and if this is something that would fit your needs, I would love to support as you learn to write or learn to write more creatively.
Since you’re a writer, you want to get your books, stories, memories, or articles and blog posts done. A winning formula is accountability, support and encouragement to achieve your dreams and you’ll find it in the “From Stuck to Success Community.” You don’t have to be stuck to join, you simply need a desire and commitment to achieve your writing dreams.
If you want encouragement, productivity tips and strategies to overcome your fears, Check out the book I wrote to encourage you, “From Stuck to Success:Conquer Your Fears and Achieve Your Writing Dreams.” “From Stuck to Success:Conquer Your Fears and Achieve Your Writing Dreams.”
I encourage you to nurture your creative side in whatever way you can. You’ll find 5 Tips to Nurture Your Creative Side by clicking here.
Don’t simply go through life, nurture your creative side and enjoy life!
Go Write NOW!
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“I Finally Found Time to Write” ~ 3 Writing Motivational Tips
“Sharon, I wanted to tell you that I’m finally finding time to write,” my friend, Sarah, stopped by my car in the park.
“Awesome!” I slammed the trunk lid down. My grandsons and I had a picnic in the park and enjoyed the beautiful sunny day. We had stopped by the car to put away the blanket and the rest of the food. My grandsons ran on to the playground.
My friend’s husband wheeled the double stroller on to take her two year old and baby to the playground and she continued, “I wanted you to know I’m listening to you and watching you. I saw you post on facebook that you had written every day for the month of August. I thought if you can do I can too.
I smiled because over the last year, I’ve encouraged her several times to write. She’s a gifted 
writer and I longed to see her write. I had urged her before, “When you don’t have a lot of time, look for those 15 minute segments of time.” I knew she was busy with her toddler and pregnancy and now her baby.
Sarah continued on, “You may not think we notice or listen but we are. I watch your posts on facebook saying you complete your monthly writing goals. You inspire me!
As you suggested, I’ve been looking for those 15 minutes in my day to write. I’m surprised at how much I can write in 15 minutes and sometimes that gets me going so I write more.
I fell off my goal of writing every day in September but I didn’t let that discourage me. I got up and started again.”
“Good for you! One of the keys to success is to get back up and go for it again.”
She smiled, “Yes it’s good and I start over trying for the whole month in October. I feel so much better when I write.”
“I feel the same way. Sometimes it’s hard to write every day but I always feel better when after I write.”
“Well, I need to go join my husband and kids but I wanted to thank you and let you know.”
“Thanks so much! I appreciate the encouragement.”
3 Writing Motivational Tips
- 1. Get started. Break your writing into bite-size pieces. Then it’s easier to take the time.
- 2. Get back up. When you fall off your goal, don’t quit.
- 3. Get back up and start over.
Go for the feeling. When you find it difficult to get started writing, reflect on the satisfaction and good feeling you’ll have afterward.
How about you? Would you like to set some writing goals or develop a regular writing habit? If so, come join our “Wise Writers Write NOW for support, encouragement and accountability.
If you want to write a book, stories or memories, learn how to write or learn how to write better, check out the “How to Write for Fun and Profit.”
For more encouragement, productivity tips and strategies to overcome your writing fears, check out the book, “From Stuck to Success: Conquer Your Fears and Achieve Your Writing Dreams” on Amazon.com.
Most of all, find time to write because the world needs to hear your unique voice and what you have to share.
Go Write NOW
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Writing Motivation ~ Do You Have This Key To Success In Your Writing?
Do you have challenges in meeting your writing goals? Even if writing is something you want to do, do you sometimes feel challenged to fulfill that desire?
Yesterday, I spent the day with my active grandsons on their last day before school started. Though they’re the joy of my life, we had some challenges that took all the energy I had.
When I arrived home, the last thing I wanted to do is to write. All I wanted to do is fall into bed.
However, I’ve committed to writing every day so rather than go to bed, I sat down at my computer to complete my writing goal for the day.
Additionally, I had some things come up and challenges getting this post written today. However, I managed to find some time and got it done!
What drove me? What key principle of success did I draw on?
When you don’t feel like writing what can you do to achieve your writing desires?
Discipline.
One of the definitions for discipline in Webster’s dictionary is self-control, “restraint over one’s own impulses, emotions or desires.”
3 Writing Motivation Tips
- Rewards of discipline. Discipline is not comfortable but at least there is a reward. Lack of discipline may be easier but you will live with the bitter fruit of dissatisfaction.
- Choices have consequences. You’ll experience the consequences either way, one pleasant and one not. Your choice makes the difference.
- Keep the end in mind. When you’re not motivated to write, think of the end result of your choice. Do you want to be satisfied or dissatisfied?
You can find a lot more tips and insights in the book I wrote to encourage writers to pursue their writing dreams. “From Stuck to Success: Conquer Your Fears and Achieve Your Writing dreams.” You can find it on Amazon Kindle.
If you want to learn to write or write better, check out “How to write for Fun and Profit.“
In the meantime, I encourage you to experience the rewards of discipline in your writing. I feel satisfied now that I’ve met my writing goal and wrote this blog post.
How about you? What can you write today that will bring you satisfaction?
Go Write NOW!
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