Are Writers Giving Their Best Effort?

Writers have a lot to do. They likely have a day job.  They have chores, obligations, and family or friends to tend to. Time marches on while they want to develop an idea into a book – and research, write, edit, and rewrite it.  They need to either find a literary agent/publisher or commit to self-publishing.  They have to invest in marketing their brand and books. A lot is going on.

I’m exhausted just by listing all of those things.

So how do writers handle it?  Are they giving it their all?

Do you, as a writer, judge yourself by how much you write today -- or by other metrics? Do you consider the amount of time and effort you put into your craft to be your barometer, or are you concerned only with the result?

Though we want to enjoy life and though we need to fulfill any number of obligations, we have to filter our views through the only prism that really matters to writers.  We must judge our day on the basis of how we advanced our writing careers.  Nothing else really seems as important, and yet we also know bills must be paid, sick family members tended to, and life’s obligations met.

So how do writers give their best effort when weighed down by all that they have to do?

First, separate the psychological from the physical.  Are you spending too much time thinking and not acting, fearing and not confronting, procrastinating instead of initiating?

Second, have you set a list of achievable priorities for your life, week, day, hour?  You need to map out what you will do, otherwise you fall victim to what screams the loudest.

Third, be prepared to call an audible.  That means go ahead and deviate from your plan if you see an opportunity to get what you want.  Don’t feel beholden to anyone’s expectations or demands -- including your own.

Fourth, find a balance between working how you would like to versus filling into everyone else’s calendar. For instance, carve out time where you can write and promote yourself, but do it when you have energy and mojo.

Being a writer takes discipline – not just passion, creativity, and insight.  You have to balance the desire to unleash your pursuit of a dream and temper it with your life’s debts.  You are similar to many other talented individuals out there – dancers, singers, actors, comedians, athletes – who want nothing more than to perfect and share their gift while still looking to live a full life that calls for their attention.  It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible.  

Be a writer first – and be resilient. Tend to your other needs as well, but know what tops your list.

Please feel free to join me on LinkedIn --https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/.

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Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are his alone and not that of his employer or anyone else. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2018. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America and participated in a PR panel at the Sarah Lawrence College Writers Institute Conference.