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How To Commit To Your Writing And Take That Leap Of Faith

By on December 21, 2017
How To Commit To Your Writing And Take That Leap Of Faith - Writer's Life.org

When it comes to writing, many of us teeter on the edges. We want to be successful; we want to pack in our day jobs and do nothing but write, we want to tell everyone that we are writers and that no, we don’t have another job on the side.

Committing to your writing can be scary. Let’s face it; there is no denying that it is a risk. It’s difficult to be willing to dive right in, to take that leap of faith and go for it when it comes to writing because we are continually told we won’t be able to make a success out of it.

There is so much negativity around trying to be a writer - in whatever form. It could be that you want to be a novelist or screenwriter, it could be that you want to set up your own freelance writing business. Whatever your dream there is probably no other profession where people feel happy and comfortable to keep telling you how tough, or rather impossible it is to fulfil your dreams.

But why should we listen? It is rarely those that just dip their toes in the water that get anywhere with their writing, or indeed anything that is challenging and difficult in life. Instead, it is the ones who did take a risk, those who were willing to make sacrifices, and who woke up and said, ‘right, this is who I want to be, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get there.’

Committing to your writing doesn’t necessarily mean storming into your office and telling your boss you quit. There are plenty of other ways you can give your writing the dedication it deserves, and really feel like you are making progress and giving everything you have to make your writing a success.

Find the time

Not having time to write is the worst excuse. There is always time. No one has every single minute of every single day already dedicated to something else. If you want to commit to your writing, this must end as an excuse - right now!

Change your self-perception

To commit to your writing, you have to believe that you are a writer. Stand tall, be proud and shout it from the rooftops! When people ask what you do, tell them you write, be passionate about it, bore them to death with it if you want to! Don’t shy away from who you want to be.

Say ‘I can.’

Having a positive attitude is so important. Stop listening to people who love to tell you just how hard writing is. What good will that do you? Instead, focus on where you want to be and figure out how to get there - nothing is impossible after all.

Do the work

Write pitches, enter competitions, send off your work. Your writing won’t get published by itself; your freelance business won’t get started unless you make enquiries. You are the one that can make it happen, but you’ve got to put the work in!

Listen to advice and learn from past mistakes

When it comes to writing, there is an endless amount you can learn. Aways be open to learning new things, always be willing to listen to advice, and always remember that everyone makes mistakes, it’s how we learn from them that counts!

Find your army

Fully committing to your writing isn’t easy, that’s why you need an army of supporters around you who are always going to tell you to go for your dream. Ditch those who want to hold you back and instead surround yourself with positive people who are always striving to achieve their goals and dreams too - their passion and commitment will rub off on you.

Understand what drives you

Find what motivates you, what inspires you what, deep down in your guts, makes you want to keep writing every day. Use your motivation to keep driving forward and don’t stop. Ever.

Remember, the best way to commit to your writing is by writing! Don’t let anyone say you can’t do it and don’t let negative thoughts hold you back. You can be whatever you want to be and if that’s a writer, then go out and be one!

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'

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