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Know Yourself

by Helen Brenna

Most of us writers have day jobs, or work at home, taking care of kids and family. That means writing is an aside. Although I now write full-time, I well remember when writing came second, third, or last in my life. I eked out minutes in a day, or, if I was lucky, a block of hours on a weekend at my computer. We’re constantly trying to figure out how to fit it all in, how to be productive, how to publish.

I’m as bad as anyone at asking advice from seasoned writers. If I could just find that one diamond in the rough grain of truth, that key to it all, I’d be able to whip those manuscripts out in record time. Through the years, I’ve heard it all.

One person will tell you to write everyday, no matter what. Another only writes when the spirit moves her. This writer needs music. The next one complete silence. One will tell you to write the book of your heart. Another will claim that market trends drive this industry. Some authors swear they’ve been struck by writer’s block, while others will tell you that’s a bunch of hooey. Some stand by their muses and others snub their noses at the concept. Some use laptops. Others have to sit in the same chair, at the same desk, with the same sweater on, at the same time of day in order to create. Wear earplugs. Go to the library. Outline first. Write at night. Write in the morning. Write before you get out of bed. Eat chocolate. Drink coffee. Protein jumpstarts the brain.

Whew! I don’t know about you, but I get a little tired and confused (not all that unusual, I know) by all the advice out there. There seem to be as many opinions about how to write and publish as there are writers. And there, I guess, you have it in a nutshell. There is no one right way to write. Creative works are as unique as the individuals creating them.

So here’s one more (groan) piece of advice. Learn how to filter everything you hear, see, and read through your own beautiful eye. Learn what makes you tick, what jump starts your creative urges, what makes you want to sit down and write. Know when to be kind to yourself and when to give yourself a swift kick in the rear. Above all, trust that you know how to achieve your own goals better than anyone else.

There is no key to it all. There is only you, your computer or notebook, and this fact: if you don’t write it, it can’t get published. All the rest is a matter of opinion.