June 26, 2007 by Lani Voivod, Chief Scribbler.

The 10 Surefire Steps That’ll Defeat “The Writer Mystique” Once and for All! Woohoo!

Soooo…

You wanna call yourself a writer without apology, hesitation, self-doubt, or excessive justification, huh? Take “The Writer Mystique” and shove it somewhere the sun don’t shine? Tell those “Dark-side Dwellers” to pitch their pathetic tents of toxicity someplace else?

Ten steps, baby. Right here, just for you. Read ‘em and leap!

1. Go ahead. Seriously, just do it. “I…am…a…writer.” Start today. Then turn to your notebook, computer, napkin, or forearm and write something!

2. Build your momentum. Tomorrow, write something else. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat, infinity!

3. Cut to your confidence. Got something you’ve written that you’re particularly fond of? Super! Now click the “Word Count” feature in your MS Word toolbar, take note of the number, and then get to work on downsizing that number by 20%. That’s right – just delete, cut, and backspace your way through your work, even (and especially!) if you think you can’t possibly lose a word without sacrificing your piece. Once you get past the agony of this new habit, you’ll be stunned by the grace and splendor of the leaner, cleaner version. Make it your regular practice and you’ll master the art of ruthless editing – which is a published writer’s most valuable tool, bar none.

4. Read about writing and writers. Cruise, scan, and flip through craft-related books. (Never forget, the library is a writer’s best friend – and bookstores are the cherished expensive-drinkin’-buddy equivalent.) A few titles will keep popping up for you. Trust your process and read these more intensively. If your world is rocked or your mindset blown away by any of these, make the investment and add them to your own library for quick and easy reference. (Writers need their favorite tools at the ready!)

5. Read about other things that interest you. When you become an aficionado on the things you love, your favorite details will naturally delight and inspire you…and they’ll eventually find their way into your writing. Ain’t that beautiful, though?

6. Train yourself to “Read Actively.” This simply means PAY ATTENTION to voice, style, content, form, and tone while you read, and think about what you like and why. What draws you? Is it the way an author turns a phrase, or is it the subject matter? Is it sentence structure, or obsessive attention to detail? Is it easy on the brain, or brainiac-rich? Active or passive voice? Formal or casual tone? Put on your best Sherlock hat and unlock your own mysteries.

7. Experiment! Try out different genres, voices, styles, subjects, etc. in your own writing. (But only if it’s FUN! If it feels like work, take a break from it, or move on altogether.)

8. Connect and conquer. Take a writing-related class, attend a workshop, join a writers’ group, check out a teleclass, or do it all!

9. Get rejected. Query magazine editors, enter contests, submit to websites, pitch agents, fail miserably. If you get rejection letters, GOOD! They’re tangible proof that you’re doing something toward your passion and development! The more you collect, the more you increase your chances of success. Consider them to be priceless collectibles, and start building your wealth portfolio.

10. Let your mojo flow and go, go, GO! Understand this: The only way you’ll be able to discover what you’ve got inside – and ultimately, what kind of writer you are – is to let it come out of you. Allow for messy. Invite imperfect. Bang it out without overwrought judgments. If what comes out really does stink to high Heaven, throw it out and start anew. Your creativity is NOT finite – IT’S INFINITE. When you fully appreciate this concept, your ability to produce will floor you, and the THRILL, JOY, and LOVE of writing claims victory, once and for all.

And you’ll know, at long last, you’ve single-handedly overcome THE WRITER MYSTIQUE.

Yipppppeeee-YAY-Yaaaaaaahhhooooooooooo!!!!!!

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEBSITE? Please do! Just kindly include this blurb with it:
As “Chief Creativity Evangelist” of Epiphanies, Inc., Lani Voivod is a daily poster child for Adult ADD and all its trimmings. In between creating kids’ content on Barbie.com and launching pop diatribes via her American Midol column on DeadBrain.com, Lani aims to “tickle your inner scribe or scribber - write here, write now” with her Wild Quills Ezine!

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June 14, 2007 by Lani Voivod, Chief Scribbler.

“A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him or her.”

-David Brinkley

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June 5, 2007 by Lani Voivod, Chief Scribbler.

Sometimes the best way to combat your life’s ninnies and naysayers is to call upon reinforcements, something akin to an experienced cavalry of creative gladiators. Lucky for us, Chris Dunmire – a creativity coach and prolific hunter, gatherer, and producer of high-end content for writers, artists, and creative explorers – has done it.

Creativity-Portal.com is an incomprehensibly robust site that covers everything from creative depression to decoupage to getting published. (Seriously, you could spend weeks diving into the crafts section alone – whether or not you ever even considered doodling with artsy playthings!)

Just to give you an idea of the site’s depth, quality, and focused attention toward helping you “explore and express your creativity,” check out what they have to offer on “Dealing with Critics and Managing Criticism.” Seven useful articles written by pros who know, right off the bat. Nice.

Lush, positive, inviting communities like this one do wonders for writers of all stripes. When you see how many people have encountered (and defeated!) the Dark-Side Dwellers, and how many pursue their own passions – and even cross-train with other artistic outlets! – you can’t help but thrive.

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