Writers in the Storm

By William F. Wu

I’m writing this with two longtime friends of mine in mind. I’ll call them Carol and Rick. Both were close to my age. Carol died in her sixties and Rick died some years later in his seventies, both of natural causes. 

They were published writers. Carol had poems published and Rick was an author of science fiction and fantasy short stories. They met briefly through me but did not really know each other, as they lived in different parts of the country. What they had in common in my view is that neither came close to reaching their creative potential.

I’m not using their real names because I want to focus on a point about writing. Even so, I find passing judgement on other people’s lives uncomfortable. If they’re somehow watching over my shoulder, I hope they don’t mind too much.

Interested but Not Ready

Carol and Rick talked to me often about their interest in writing. For many years, however, Rick did not write fiction at all and Carol wrote poetry very rarely. I still considered them writers and sometimes asked if they were working on something. 

Sometimes Carol would mention a notion she had about a poem. When I asked if she was working on it, “I’m not ready” was an answer I often got. When it was not said specifically, they sometimes made the same point in a roundabout way. Rick liked to talk about premises for short stories. If I asked if he was going to work on one, he would say that he wanted to write, but made clear he was not going to do so soon.

Not Ready Yet

I’ve spent my adult life around creative people, not only writers but artists, singer-songwriters, and jewelers among others. All of us have plans in various stages of development that we’re not working on yet. Yes, I have projects I’m not ready to write. I usually start with notes and develop a story of whatever length – novels and short stories -- over time. Sometimes a story comes together pretty fast, while others might sit for years. The difference compared to Carol and Rick is that most of us are working on something else while we consider those projects. 

Carol and Rick, after a certain point in life, weren’t ready ever again for any particular project. 

Obviously, none of us has any obligation to do creative work. What I noticed with Carol and Rick is that neither would accept the fact that they did not want to write. They always insisted they wanted to do so, and would at some point, but they just “weren’t ready” at any given time. Sadly, they were never ready for the remainder of their lives.

Studying, But Not Ready

I spoke at a weekend-long writers conference at a particular college a couple of times. Many attendees were writing, of course, and submitted finished work for critiques. I met others who were studying concepts about writing – how to plot, how to make a character come alive, and so on – in earnest. I also sat in on classes and lectures by other speakers. After one, I was making small talk with a twenty-something woman who was taking copious notes and asking pertinent questions at every talk she attended. She mentioned a genre in which she wanted to write.

I asked, in a conversational tone, if she was working on a story. She flinched, straightening up in her chair, with a startled, “Oh!” No, she had not started a story.

Because I had not meant to put her on the spot, I assured her I was just making small talk. Even so, I was surprised that she had been studying so hard without starting a story of some sort. And I was surprised that she was so surprised when I asked.

And, yes, she said she “wasn’t ready.” 

She was in a very different stage of thinking about writing compared to Carol and Rick from middle-age forward. I wasn’t being critical of her in asking if she was working on something, just wondering. However, the writers of fiction I knew, including me, had started writing before and while we were learning about story concepts. In my first year of writing and submitting to professional publications, I sent off stories that, I realized before too long, were nowhere near the level of story-telling that might sell. (I did sell a short story to a regional magazine fairly quickly, but it was a one-time thing for quite a while.)

Don't Wait

Of course, learning any skill requires starting. To play a musical instrument, pick one up. To sketch with charcoal, get the charcoal. The learning curve is different for everyone, but we can only prepare in advance to a limited extent. After all, writing isn’t like jumping into the deep end of a pool when you can’t swim. In fact, you don’t have to show your writing to anyone unless and until you choose to. In other words, sharing and submitting your work obviously can only happen after you’re writing and finishing your work.

The same issue applies to trying something new. Some writers work in one genre only and sometimes the plot, characters, or tone remain similar. Writing about very different characters and plots, and especially trying a different genre can also raise the question of being ready. 

Make a Decision

I also have friends who used to write fiction, and some who had work published, before deciding that writing wasn’t for them. Some of them were very successful. I’ve never had a problem with anyone making that choice. My concern for people who intend to write but “aren’t ready” is that they may be fooling themselves about their intentions or, no matter how supportive I try to be, they might not want to be honest with me.

The latter doesn’t matter. Whether someone writes or not isn’t my business. As a friend, however, I was concerned that Carol and Rick might be happier either writing or accepting that they did not want to write. Carol and Rick lived with the ongoing contradiction of wanting to write but not doing it for many years and they never resolved it. I should add that in a larger sense, they seemed less happy with their lives than most people. At least part of their unhappiness was related to the issue of writing. However, I have no way to know if they did not write because they were unhappy or whether they were unhappy because they couldn’t resolve the contradiction. I still believe they would have been more comfortable with their lives by deciding one way or another.

And, of course, the issue of rejections can be pertinent. Ongoing rejections can be discouraging , certainly. I still have work rejected frequently. Writing creative work in and of itself can be very personal and whether we submit it in the hope of having it published is a separate matter. 

For Carol and Rick, as the years accumulated, the issue of time became obvious. At some point we run out.

Ready or Not—Write

For those people thinking about starting who haven’t yet, the message is simple: Get to work. Be willing to write the best you can even if it doesn’t turn out as well you want, and then do it again. And again. And remember the old joke about getting to Carnegie Hall.

By the way, in writing this piece, I wrote the first paragraph and then did nothing for several days. I was thinking about what to include and how to express it – yeah, I wasn’t ready. 

Then again, here it is.

If you are writing, what helped you get past the "I'm not ready?" feelings?

About Bill

William F. Wu is a science fiction, fantasy, and crime author whose traditionally published books include 13 novels, one scholarly work, and a collection of short stories. Regarding his more than seventy published works of short fiction, he has been nominated for the Hugo Award twice, for the Nebula Award twice, and once for the World Fantasy Award. His novels Hong on the Range and The Temple of Forgotten Spirits are available in paperback, ebook, and audio book editions through Boruma Publishing. His science fiction collections Intricate Mirrors and Ten Analogs of the Future, the latter being ten collaborations with Rob Chilson, are available in ebook editions. For more information, see williamfwu.com. 

By Kris Maze

As writers, we often find solace in the written word, but what happens when the holiday season brings more blues than cheer? It's not uncommon for many to feel a bit down during this time of the year. In this blog post, let's explore some simple yet effective ways to reignite your creativity and make the most out of your writing, even when the festive spirit seems elusive.

Embrace the Quiet Moments

The holidays can be chaotic, but amidst the hustle and bustle, find solace in the quiet moments. Use this time for introspection and let your thoughts flow onto the paper.

Holiday Cookies

As part of my holiday celebration, I love to join others in a cookie bake. Baking (and giving away the goodness we create) is one of my love languages. During other times of the year, I will bake muffins, or biscuits from scratch to share with friends and family, but I especially look forward to making these holiday cookies.

It’s the time of year I can take out my cookie cutters and the press for spritz cookies. I enjoy making foods that specifically fit diet plans and restrictions, so it isn’t just a love-hate battle when dealing with a plate full of sweets promising a sugar high and a weight-gain regret.

But this year, my plans fell through, and my holiday bustle of baking was cancelled. I was disappointed at not seeing this group of friends but found that I really benefited from the downtime. Instead of driving across town and hauling all of my empty containers for finished cookies, I made my batch at home and wrote during the wait time.

As an introvert, I didn’t feel drained after, and I made progress on editing my manuscript. Win-win. And since I still had my favorite cookies to share, win-win-win!

Try it

Take a stroll through a serene winter landscape or find a cozy coffee shop corner with a cup of tea, allowing your mind to wander and your creativity to flourish.

Reflect on the Year

The end of the year often prompts introspection. Use this opportunity to reflect on your personal and writing achievements. Celebrate your successes and learn from your challenges.

Name Each Year

              I have made it a habit since my teen years to name each year. I would have to dig through dusty old boxes in a garage in another state, but I’m sure I could list these in their entirety someday. The exercise of narrowing my year to a singular word has helped me summarize the big-picture lessons I may have missed otherwise.  Not only do insights from these lessons manifest in my personal life, these nuggets of learned wisdom also become good fodder for stories.

Sample years

• Adventure: the year I went to Honduras to learn and practice my Spanish
• Heartbreak: the year my first serious college boyfriend and I broke up. On my birthday. Right before Christmas. It turned out alright as I soon found out that he had been seeing another young woman in another state all along.  Which led to…
• Wow! I-dodged-that-icky-relationship:  the year that I realized that it’s alright to discard broken, burdensome things. And then I went to Honduras for another summer of interesting experiences. Which then flowed into…
• New locations: the year of leaving my childhood city to move to a remote town and building a life as an adult.
• Yadda Yadda: the year the blur of motherhood began and I started to take myself less seriously, discovering a new level of caring for others.

The point isn’t just to find big events, but to reflect on the feelings and takeaway lessons I obtained. The journals may start with the key word but are followed by pages of questions and relatively primitive answers. Focusing on new ways of thinking and acting helped me to solidify my observations and personal growth.

Try it

Create a "Writer's Year in Review" list, highlighting your proudest moments, no matter how small. This exercise can be a powerful motivator for the year ahead.

Set Realistic Writing Goals

Instead of overwhelming yourself with grand writing plans, set achievable goals that align with the holiday pace. Small victories can lead to a sense of accomplishment.

My Time Tracker experience

You know the feeling—big energy, grand plans, ready to conquer the writing world in a week. It's that burst of enthusiasm that has us convinced we can achieve it all immediately. As Jadah Sellner aptly puts it in her book, She Builds, this is big energy defined. However, the crash that follows such an unsustainable push is all too familiar.

But let's not dismiss big energy entirely. It's the force that drives entrepreneurs and creatives to build something extraordinary. It's in our nature, propelling us to create new and exciting things.

Yet, my struggle with big energy lay in unrealistic goal-setting. Breaking down projects helps, but the unpredictable variables often derail our best-laid plans. Realism became my ally, and here's how I tamed my big energy drain:

• Track your time. Utilize a time-tracker app like The Simple Time Tracker. Assign icons for each writing task, from crafting stories to social media checks. It reveals the time not spent on actual writing, prompting a crucial realization.
• Know your realistic times. With breaks, daily tasks, and distractions, I discovered it took around three hours to craft a blog post or manage a social media campaign. Identifying this allowed me to allocate time more efficiently.
• Delegate social media. Hire a virtual assistant for social media tasks, freeing up time and reducing stress. They excel at post effectiveness, leaving me with more time for creative writing and manuscript work.
• Embrace reflection through posts. Maintain a weekly writing routine with reflective posts. They remain a joy in my writing process, a personalized interaction with readers. No stress, just genuine connection.

While the time tracker is no longer necessary for posts, having a dedicated time slot ensures consistent output. Realizing how long each post realistically takes, from writing to scheduling, aids in effective time management. This proactive approach transformed my writing stress into a manageable endeavor.

So, as you navigate your big energy, remember that realism is your friend. Break down the grand plans, understand your time constraints, and embrace strategic delegation.  With the right balance, your writing journey can be both productive and enjoyable.

Try it

Commit to writing a short story, a poem, or even a daily journal entry. The key is consistency, not the quantity.

Find Inspiration in Unlikely Places

Break free from conventional sources of inspiration. Explore new hobbies, immerse yourself in diverse cultures, or delve into unrelated subjects that spark your curiosity.

The Grotto

There is no shortage of holiday events to attend. And in recent years, I have invited my friends with various faiths to attend a lights-and-singing festival held at the Grotto. A primarily Catholic outdoor space of prayer and reflection, the celebration was a heartwarming experience for all who attended. There was also warm hot chocolate to sip as we walked through the wonderland of lights and listened to the many local talent groups singing and playing traditional Christmas music.

It didn’t matter that these friends celebrated the holidays from other faiths; it was a moment of sharing and a place to begin a conversation about how they celebrated their traditions. We talked about their faith and had a meaningful discussion that led to a deeper appreciation and understanding of the ways we view the world through different lenses. But even so, more importantly, it showed us how our worldviews also were the same.

Try it

Attend a local holiday event, explore a museum, or read about a topic you've never considered before. You might be surprised where inspiration strikes.

Create a Cozy Writing Nook

Your writing environment plays a crucial role in your productivity. Design a warm and inviting writing space that beckons you, even when the weather outside is frightful.

My Writing Space

Feeling the weight of writerly blues? Reluctant to face the pen due to the emotional challenges of the holiday season? I get it. Writing is tough, and when coupled with the pressures to be jolly, it can feel like an uphill battle. Take a moment to evaluate your writing space—it shouldn't be another neglected corner during the busy festive season.

The vibe of my writing desk was nothing close to inviting. I realized that I had let my writing space become a dumping ground of past bills and to-dos. No wonder I avoided it, even without emotional detachment. If I wanted to get back into the writing groove, it needed to be a place I felt drawn to and comfortable.

I decluttered the writing surface and filed away any past papers, sorting through the junk and lightening my mental burden during the purge process. The remaining space was functional, but still not inviting. It needed a little more pizazz.

After a trip to a local store where I browsed and bought a scented candle, I found a small light at Target and installed a color-changing bulb. The influence of the lights and aromatherapy were just the right mix to get me back into the writing mindset.

Try it

 Add soft blankets, warm lighting, and holiday-scented candles to your writing space. Make it a haven where creativity can thrive.

Handling the Blues

The holiday blues are a shared experience for many, so don't feel alone in this. Acknowledge your feelings, but also be proactive in combating them. Consider reaching out to friends, family, or writing groups for support. Engaging in activities that bring you joy outside of writing can also contribute to an improved mood.

Remember, writing is a journey, and sometimes the road may be a bit bumpy. Embrace the lows, but also celebrate the highs. By finding joy in the process and incorporating these strategies, you can turn the holiday blues into a season of renewed creativity and inspiration. Happy writing!

What do you do when you don’t feel like writing? How do you handle it when a friend is struggling, and doesn’t want to participate in festivities of the holidays?

About Kris

Kris Maze, an education enthusiast with a knack for the written word, has dedicated several years to the world of academia. She writes for various publications including Practical Advice for Teachers of Heritage Learners of Spanish and award-winning blog Writers in the Storm where she is also a host.

She published a YA dystopian novel, IMPACT, with a small press in the summer of 2020. Lately, she has been entering and placing in writing competitions, such as NYC Midnight’s Short Story and Micro fiction contests.

You can find her YA fiction, writing coach resources, and keep up with her author events at KrisMaze.com. Find her darker, scarier fiction at her sister-site KrissyKnoxx.com.

A recovering grammarian and hopeless wanderer, Kris enjoys reading, learning languages, and spending time outdoors where she ponders the wisdom of Bob Ross.

And sometimes she bakes biscuits.

Wrongly accused and exiled, Ernestina Après faces the destruction of her family and her bucolic life beneath the Dome. The Silver-Waters blessings are not in her favor, despite her warnings to the Counsel that the stream and its resources are running out. Caring for a stowaway, she must find a silver-lining in her dire circumstances.

Available now in eBook and paperback wherever you find your books!

by Jenny Hansen

In my "day job life," I draw a lot of wisdom from entrepreneurial, marketing, and motivation experts. People like Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi, Lisa Nichols and Og Mandino, Trent Shelton and Brené Brown. Just like writing advice, I take what resonates and make it work for me and my own Success Blueprint. And of course, when I hear really great stuff, I want to share it with all my friends here at WITS.

2024 is a big exciting year for me, for a lot of reasons. I am in the middle of writing two books I'm excited about -- one fiction, and one non-fiction. My family is moving to the East Coast this summer to start some new adventures over there. I won my dogfight with cancer and I'm excited to be alive.

I'm also excited about the wisdom, so here it goes, in no particular order...

1. Audit your inner circle

"We are the sum total of the five people we hang with the most." - Dean Graziosi and Tony Robbins

Every year, Dean does an event in January where he shares his own blueprint, and this one stood out to me. He said, "Don’t hang out with the people who you make excuses with about your dreams." I LOVE that.

I encourage you to try this little exercise.

(p.s. While I hope you relate to nothing on the list below, I suspect that some of it will sound familiar.)

Take a second to think about how many times you've:

• Minimized your goals and dreams around someone because they think (or have told you) you can't do it.
• Made yourself smaller to make someone else feel bigger, or better.
• Not tried to create something because you were afraid you'd fail.
• Been told in a loving tone that "you are reaching too high" or that your loved one "just doesn't want you to be disappointed if this [fill in the blank] doesn't work out."

If you nodded your head 'yes' to any of these, I see you. I hear you. I get you.

And I hope you kick the crap out of that thought pattern.

Think about the fact that one of the people you hang out with the most is yourself. Some of those messages are coming from you.

It's a new year and a new day, and we are better than that. We don't need to hide our spectacular selves away. Spread out. Live large. Shine bright. Allow yourself to be excited about the glorious stories you want to tell.

If it's a close friend or family member who isn't excited about your goals and dreams, simply have different conversations with them. But find a writing and/or mentoring circle that is excited about you and your endeavors. Your people are out there. Some of them might even hang out here at WITS.

Find your people -- those two to ten who light you on fire -- and hang out with them more. Your own inspiration will grow when you surround yourself with people who feed your creative soul.

2. Decide who’s steering the ship.

Who is steering the trajectory of your life? Who is steering your goals to completion? Is it the siren call of your dreams, or the dark whisper of your fears?

This is an important question for every person at every age and stage of life. Sometimes this is harder for creatives to answer because there's such a long runway spent honing our craft. We spend weeks months and years learning from those who have gone before us, and from our own successes and failures.

I prize the people I can trust to give me good advice. Bad advice is the most costly advice in the world, especially if it is allowed to dictate your dreams. Failures and regrets and imposter syndrome are the most unreliable of navigators. You don't want those bozos steering your career.

In the end, YOU need to be the one in charge of the steering wheel.

Brené Brown has said in numerous talks that she carries a list in her wallet with the names of people whose opinions matter to her. What a smart and tangible way to stay grounded! That means if a person isn't on that list, then their opinion is their own problem, and not hers.

3. Meet each story with love.

“Your transparency will lead to other people's transformation.” -- Trent Shelton

Our story might not be for every reader, but if we bring love and truth to our stories, readers will feel it. This is how we serve our readers and our characters. This is how we can treat them with the utmost love.

Many years ago, I heard an agent talk about writing voice. She believed that every time a writer puts words on the page, they are shouting out, "this is who I am." I think that is both true and false. We aren't our characters and our characters are not us, but pieces of them are. I know writers who struggle with being seen so clearly by their readers. I know writers who are afraid to be seen at all.

Trent Shelton has wisdom here too: “We are all a little broken. But last time I checked, broken crayons still color the same.”

Sometimes those broken bits of us are the exact puzzle piece a reader needs to feel alive and whole.

4. Be bold.

“Everything you've ever wanted is sitting on the other side of fear.” -- George Addair

That quote tells us to be bold. To hang in there. To keep doing the work, even when we're failing or frightened. I think of Theodore Roosevelt's 1910 speech, excerpted by Brené Brown more than a century later in her book, “Daring Greatly.”

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Brené, through the words of Teddy Roosevelt and through her own, helps me remember to Be Bold.

5. Small Changes Can Transform Your Life.

“Big doors swing on little hinges.” --W. Clement Stone

Small changes will transform your life. Journaling for ten minutes each morning. Stretching before your morning coffee. Stating your goals out loud while you look in the mirror. All of these have been proven to be life-changing over time, even though they are somewhat tiny in the moment.

For me, it was stretching for a few minutes before I got out of bed. I had to do it for OT and PT after my surgery last October, but I've been astonished by the results. Not only do I have far less neck pain, but those few minutes have given me back half an inch of height over the last six weeks!

What routine could you shift without very much trouble? What small daily something might make a dramatic shift for you in the long run? Reading? Stretching? Meditating? Journaling? It might be fun to pick one and try it for 5-10 minutes a day or 15 minutes a week and see what happens.

6. Don't Dim Your Glow

"Don’t you dare dim your glow to make the people around you feel better." - Lisa Nichols

I'm circling back to this point again, because it's so important. And if you've never heard of Lisa Nichols, I promise you will want more of her. In fact, I think experiencing this three-and-a-half minute video with her might be one of the most inspiring things you do today.

She makes me grin so hard my cheeks hurt.

https://youtu.be/CWpiCOmbVuY?si=p5z0UT4Pe1-BJGWW

Final Thoughts

Just to sum up that Success Blueprint again:

1. Audit your inner circle. Spend time with people who stoke the fire of your dreams.
2. Decide who is steering the ship. Work to make sure that it's the right person
3. Meet each story with love. Heck, meet each day with love if you've got it in you. Love is the shizz.
4. Be bold. Get in the game and dare greatly.
5. Small changes can transform your life. Even 15 minutes a week can astonish you.
6. Don't dim your glow. (And definitely get more Lisa Nichols in your life.)

Also, for all of you who had trouble getting into the link to Angela Ackerman's post on Monday, we didn't want you to miss it. It is stellar! -- Increasing the Emotional Impact of Your Story.

Here's one last quote.

"I will persist until I succeed. The prizes of life are at the end of each journey, not near the beginning; and it is not given to me to know how many steps are necessary to reach my goal. Failure I may still encounter at the thousandth step, yet success hides behind the next bend in the road." -- Og Mandino

What do you think, y'all? Did I miss anything big that's part of YOUR Success Blueprint? Has someone tried to dim your glow? What did you do to keep it? What area of your life needs to shine brighter? Please share with us down in the comments!

About Jenny

By day, Jenny Hansen provides brand storytelling, LinkedIn coaching, and copywriting for accountants and financial services firms. By night she writes humor, memoir, women’s fiction, and short stories. After 20 years as a corporate trainer, she’s delighted to sit down while she works.

Find Jenny here at Writers In the Storm, or online on Facebook or Instagram.

All article photos from Depositphotos.