Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Waiting for Direction

Most kids do not take on tasks that haven't been specifically assigned to them. They wait for a parent or teacher to give them direction.

Open your spelling books. Unload the dishwasher. Did you do your homework? It's time to go to bed.

If doing dishes isn't a normal chore for Susie, she won't look at the counter and think, yes, I will do the dishes. Entire families will walk past an overflowing trash bag, but not one individual will take out the trash. A toilet paper roll will perch empty, sad on its little bar, but no one will replace it.

As a writer, I can't wait for someone to give me direction. No one will say, open your laptop and write a thousand words. No one is going to pop their head in and remind me to send out queries or revise another chapter. There is no boss breathing down my neck for me to get going on my next project.

But I'm okay with that. I'm self-motivated. I see the dishes on the counter, and I clean them. I walk by the overflowing trash bag, and I take it out. I shake my head at the empty toilet paper tube, and I replace it.

Writers can't wait for direction. We're the ones who empty the cat litter. We're on top of things. We don't need someone telling us to write. It's just who we are.

Are you waiting for someone to direct you?

Join me on Friday to set one goal!

20 comments:

  1. Jill, I'm like you. You have to treat writing as though you are self-employed and that means taking the initiative to do what needs to be done. I'm doing that. And I know you are too!

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  2. Nope. I'm waiting for someone to come by and do the dishes, laundry, take out the trash for me. Looks like it will be a long wait. Deep sigh. Forlorn look.

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  3. I know. I WISH someone was on my back more. LOL

    Hey, I've been meaning to ask you if you knew about the "New Voices" contest over at Harlequin.

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  4. I've TRIED to train my kids to change the tp when it empties, or take the garbage out when full, or even just to take the empty cracker box OUT of the cupboard! Sometimes it happens! Good thing is we always have hope, with our writing too.

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  5. I can be a self-starter when I want to be. hehehe... I am particuarly good at it when it comes to my writing. I think that's why hubby considers it "me" time as opposed to "work" time, b/c I'll make sure I get my time to write, while the house is still a mess and the kids need a bath and... yeah. lol...

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  6. I love having that freedom in writing. I love even more that even though no one is telling me to write I do it anyway. I make it a priority and it reminds me how serious I am about writing and how much it really means to me.

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  7. Good morning!

    Terri: So true! It is a job and we are self-employed. Great attitude!

    CJ: Cleaning is last on my want-to-do list. I would love for a fairy to come in and make all that nasty stuff go away!

    Jennifer: You? I'm not buying it! And yes! My friend just entered the contest. How cool!

    Lynn: Why do empty boxes stay in the pantry?? It's a mystery of the universe. Good luck!

    Ralene: I hear you. Maybe we aren't supposed to enjoy our work so much? Nah!

    Cindy: Yes! Writing is special because it's ours. No one has to tell us! I agree.

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  8. In a perverse sense, it makes me feel better to know everyone's families are the same way! I thought mine were the only ones who would spend more time trying to stuff trash into an overflowing can than it takes to take out the bag and replace it. *sigh*
    My challenge right now is being willing to look away from all those tasks and turn to my writing as Priority #1.

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  9. Yes, Yes, YES!! It's a new career! People will hire us to tell them what to do, wait . . . that's a boss. Hmm? Guess we should be glad we don't have one of those nagging us, but if you need a nudge, I'll oblige. GET WRITING, GIRL! I WANT TO SEE 1,000 WORDS BY THIS WEEKEND AT THE RETREAT. Well, I feel better, hope it helped.

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  10. Niki: Oh no, you aren't alone! :)

    Em: Done! I wrote over a thousand this morning. Woo-hoo! Can't wait to see you!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  11. You are so right. We can't wait for someone to give us direction. Great post!

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  12. I love this post! No one is keeping me from fulfilling this dream but me:)

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  13. Susan M: And you don't! Look at your house--almost organized--and no one told you what to do!

    Tamika: True. Scary, huh? But some writing tasks are as unpleasant as changing the kitty litter, so we can shower ourselves with grace when the hard days hit. :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  14. I think I work best under self-direction, though that may change once I am published!

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  15. So true, Jill!! We'd start collecting dust otherwise:-)

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  16. Melissa: I doubt it will change!

    Paul: Collecting dust and cobwebs!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  17. Jill:
    I have an unusual mind. I can be a self-starter if I want to be.
    Sometimes, it's easier to wait to see if someone else will do the chore.
    I work in our church' drama ministry. We have a designated leader. She works a full-time job. She puts in long hours at her job. I see things that need to be done but I know I am not the leader. So, I don't take the iniative.

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  18. Quiet Spirit: It's good to know when we SHOULD take the initiative and when it isn't our place. Not everything has to be done by us!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  19. Hi Jill -

    What a great example!

    Writers must be self-starters because no one else can craft their books. If they don't do it, it doesn't get done.

    Thanks,
    Susan :)

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  20. Okay...I have to share this out loud! For about the 20th time my husband put his used newspaper on the kitchen counter instead of taking out to the recycling tub. For the 20th time I asked are you finished with this newspaper...he of course answered yes that's why I put it on the counter. For the life of me I don't know why I am the ONLY person in our house who knows how to put stuff in the recycling tubs....I'm sure you wanted me to talk about being a self motivated writer...sorry... :)

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