Confession time. My name is Terri Weldon and I over commit. Yep, I commit to doing more things than any sane woman could hope to complete. I just saw the problem when I typed the last sentence – sane. No one ever accused me of that! 🙂
Actually, I have too many interests. Traveling – you bet. Organize a book club event at church – I’m game. Garden – of course, I love flowers. Movies and theater – absolutely. Be a team member on a blog – I’d be honored. Lunch or dinner with friends – anytime. Scour the thrift stores once a week with my sis – a favorite pastime. Oh, and I currently have a demanding fulltime job.
Whoa, wait a minute. Did I just make my schedule so tight that I don’t have time to write today? Skipping one day won’t hurt. And skipping one day might be okay, but the problem is the next day is booked tighter than the previous one. Whoops, I forgot I can’t spend all day Saturday writing because this weekend is when my local ACFW chapter meets.
Before I know it an entire week goes by and I haven’t written a word. That’s treacherous. The more time I spend away from my characters the easier it is to lose their voice and my voice. I can forget what motivates them. What hardships and joys they’ve had in their lives. Then instead of sitting down and writing I have to waste valuable time reacquainting myself with them.
Not writing daily keeps me from growing as a writer. It can also cause me to lose valuable opportunities such as submitting to agents or publishing houses. I read a blog post by Cindy Patterson on Seriously Write where she said, “Just imagine … 500 words a day, 5 days a week equals = 2,500 words a week. If you do this for 52 weeks you’ll write 130,000 words a years!!”
That statement slapped me upside the head. Am I really so busy that I can’t squeeze 500 words a day in? Lunch time, right before bed, or early in the morning?
If you’re like me, I know several things we can do to ramp up our productivity:
- Focus. Decide what is important to you and keep that goal in mind.
- Make a writing schedule and STICK TO IT!
- Learn to say no. You aren’t obligated to do everything that is asked of you. Saying no doesn’t make you a bad person.
- Limit your interests. Everything can’t be important to you. Ouch!
- Talk about your writing to your family and try and get them to support you decision to be an author.
If you’ve successfully overcome the bad habit of over committing, please, tell me how you did it.
If you’re like me and still struggling then tell me your plan. I bet you have some great ideas I never thought of.
One commenter from today will win a free electronic version of The Matchmakers which includes my novella A Match Made in Sheffield. (Winner will be randomly selected on Monday, July 10th and their name posted here. The winner will have 10 days to respond with their contact information.)
Want to know more about Terri? Join me as we talk!! https://wordynerdyblog.wordpress.com/2018/07/06/meet-terri-weldon/
Terri Weldon is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes – a habit she really needs to break. Problem is they make new, cute ones every season. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has two adorable Westies – or they have her, she’s never sure which. Terri is a member of Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. Her dream of becoming a published author came true when her novella Mistletoe Magic was published.
WEBSITE: www.terriweldon.com
BLOG: www.seriouslywrite.blogspot.com
Terri, you are so right. One day slips away and then another and another… I’m going to be a hypocrite in saying this, but it’s a good thought to help with overcommitting. My pastor once said, “Sometimes you have to say no to the good, so you can say yes to the best.” I love that idea, but I’m much better at sharing the quote with others than putting it into action myself! Still, it has helped me prioritize some things. And 500 words a day…so doable most days!
Karen, I like that quote! Thanks for sharing it with me. And I know you can do those 500 words a day.
Hi Terri – what a fun post and I share your problem. I over commit because I have too many interests. Thanks for the advice!
Cynthia, we just have varied interests. Makes us more interesting! Seriously, it’s an area I battle and hope to conquer.
Terri, A writer who overcommits? I think it’s easy to overcommit for me if it involves a computer rather than a phone or an in person requirement as I’m an introvert. Thanks for sharing some ideas about writing in a busy world.
Tanya, everytime I take the test indicating personality type I fall right on the line between extrovert and introvert. I even overcommit on that – I want both! 😂
But seriously, overcommitting can derail goals. That has been the big battle for me.
You my friend seem to do great judging by the number of contests you final in.
Great post, Terri, and I can relate to your dilemma. On a positive note, it’s good we have so many interests because that makes us well-rounded, right? 😉 But as you so wisely pointed out, those days with no writing can slip past us and then we must get reacquainted with our characters. I still need to improve in this area, but will say I’ve gotten a *tiny* bit better about being realistic. A lot of that has to do with health issues, and the fact that sometimes I have no choice but to slow down. I appreciate the tips you offered, and also enjoyed your interview in the previous post. I’ve recently ordered The Matchmakers and cannot wait to read all 3 novellas (especially YOUR story!). Hugs!!
Patti Jo, you’ve written two great books so you’re doing something right. I’m trying my best to wait until closer to Christmas to read An Unexpected Romance. Hallmark had Christmas movies on this month so that’s close enough, right? I think so. 🎅🏻🤶
Health definitely has the ability to slow you down like nothing else.
I hope you enjoy A Match Made in Sheffield!