Three Unusual Disciplines
To Help You Keep Writing
Published in The Advanced Christian Writer

My two-year-old daughter seemed to have forgotten how to swallow though I was confident that if I let her spit out her nemesis and offered a cookie, I would discover a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. I don’t remember what she had in her mouth. Maybe it was wiggly jade spaghetti (spinach) or miniature trees (broccoli) but whatever it was, Amanda had been chewing on a wad of it for an hour and a half.

Later, when in line at the grocery store, she still chewed her cud; only now green juice flooded her chin and tie-died her shirt. An executive type behind us raised his eyebrows as I muttered what I hoped sounded like a encouraging train sounds (Chugga, chugga, choo choo) hoping Amanda would take a hint.

She didn’t. A second later her nose wrinkled and before I could duck, she sneezed--popping the glob into my gaping jaws.

I wanted to gag, disappear, and die but somehow I swallowed. I noticed several people’s shoulders shaking as I scooped up Amanda and left the cart and the store.

For a moment, I considered leaving my miniature mutant as an object lesson for any mother who dared buy vegetables.

Sometimes when it comes to writing, you have to finally do what Amanda did. You might have to give up that thought, idea, or sentence you’ve been ruminating over and go on to something else. Otherwise you will fall behind in your overall publishing goals.

Roadblock Ahead
This is the first of the unusual disciplines of my writing life. Recently, I had to do some spitting as I completed a chapter for a book. I had done a lot of research about a particular aspect of prophecy but I found most scholars wanted to skirt the issue I needed to cover. I found myself chomping on the material during the next several days. Unfortunately, this also blanketed my creative juices in any other area of writing so I was feeling unproductive and frustrated.

I read once about a writer who said that it is only when she sits down to write that she feels a need to wash the dishes piled up in the sink. I understand this especially when I’m road blocked.

I decided I didn’t have to put down a definitive answer on that particular point. I would give both opinions, leaning in a direction but giving myself a way out too. I walked around my roadblock and am now almost done with the book. I will have to revisit that chapter when I edit the material but I know the problem won’t seem nearly so enormous as it did earlier.

Have you struck a rock in your research for a new article? Maybe you can’t get yourself motivated to write your next book. It could be you feel discouraged when you study new markets and outlets for your work. Go ahead-skip whatever is bothering you and come back to it later. The time away will give you some much-needed perspective.

The Winner’s Circle
When I was in junior high, I cleaned our house every week. I would list my goals along with specific time limits. If I cleaned the bathroom in less time than I had allowed, I would reward myself by reading until my time was up.

This same idea serves me well today. Every morning, I set goals giving myself a certain amount of time to accomplish each task. Since I write for an organization, I put those goals as a priority. I then write out personal goals such as sending out a certain amount of query letters or completing other deadlines. If I finish my goals ahead of time, I allow myself a treat such as taking a short walk or writing fiction. This way I feel like a winner, concentrating on what I did finish that day rather than on what I didn’t.

I once read of a writer who writes a minimum of 250 words a day. Sometimes he writes more than that but by giving himself a manageable deadline, he gets himself writing which is usually half the battle.

I find it particularly useful to time myself while I am writing. It seems that if I force myself to write a certain part of an article within an hour, I achieve a whole lot more. This doesn’t mean that I always reach every goal I set for myself but then I remember ultimately for Whom I’m writing. Sometimes I have to give myself some of the grace He so freely gives me.

Fill ‘er Up
My monthly devotional writing has made me apply a third discipline. These devotionals are 270 words and include a scripture to read, and a quote for the day.

Since they have to be fresh and original, I have to be a voracious reader. So, I give myself at least a half hour a day to read. Somehow assigning reading as a task helps me remember that reading is more than a treat. When something I come across strikes me as useful, I scan or type it into my computer and save it under a file called, “New Material”. I also include the name of the publication, the author’s name, the article or book’s name and all other pertinent information.

Do you want to make it over the long haul as a writer? Then remember these three guidelines. First, spit out roadblock material and move on. Give yourself permission to not always form an opinion so you will continue working toward your deadlines. Then, set realistic writing goals. Finally, read a minimum of a half-hour a day.

As a writer, you don’t have to burn or rust out. Instead, keep in mind these disciplines and you’ll be on your way to accomplishing your long-term publishing goals.