Writing One Step at a Time

I, like so many other would-be authors, have an unfinished manuscript collecting cyber dust in my laptop. I’ve spent months and months on that sucker, but no matter how many times I tackle it from a different angle, it always feels like it’s missing something vital. It’s a decent burger, but it needs some awesome sauce, and apparently I’m fresh out. So it sits unfinished.

Maybe you can relate. Or maybe your unfinished manuscript is an abandoned house project, a neglected side gig, or another disregarded dream. Today I want to share an article with you that can give you the extra nudge to keep going—one step at a time.

A Busy Season

In addition to my half-baked novel idea, I also have loads of picture book story drafts. I’d love to publish something beautiful for kids, so I joined the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), a international organization whose name is pretty self-explanatory. I’m also part of a fantastic critique group of talented ladies who are in various stages of the writing process. They’re an inspiration and a motivation.

Unfortunately, I’ve been genuinely swamped with building a new house, packing up my current house, homeschooling my son, managing my toddler, and making sure everyone has the food, clothes, fresh air, stories, excursions, and attention they need. Just a day in the life.

Nothing to Critique

So lately I’ve been showing up to my critique group meetings with little or nothing new to share. Am I busy? Sure. Have other successful authors been busier? Absolutely. While my current schedule may prevent me from churning out a full-length masterpiece this month, it doesn’t have to prevent me from writing a few good sentences every day or two. That’s a manageable amount that can add up to a whole story eventually.

And at this stage of my life, it’ll have to be enough.

One More Line

So today I wanted to pass along a short article by author Jonathan Rogers. He shares how training for half-marathons helped him learn the discipline of writing when he doesn’t feel like it. When he doesn’t want to run another mile, he determines to run just as far as the next telephone pole. And then the next and the next. When he doesn’t feel like writing another page, he determines to write the next sentence…and the next and the next.

Rogers cites a book that’s been influential in my writing journey as well: Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird. She gives the same suggestion about how to press on when you aren’t very motivated: just do a little bit. And tomorrow, do a little bit more. Just write one inch of decent material—no more and no less. It’s a small thing that can add up to a big thing.

Slow and Steady

So whether you’re struggling to write a book, run a marathon, or organize your stamp collection, I hope today’s post fuels you with the motivation you need. Just tackle it one sentence, one pole, and one stamp at a time.

The finish line is closer than you think.