MORE Monday Morning Motivators! (6-07 thru 12-07)

Note from Margie and CJ, your Dragon Slayers:

Happy New Years!  We hope you are all happily writing!  CJ and Margie will be taking a short break from posting their Monday Morning Motivators.

Margie will be finishing her Deep Editing Workbook proposal and jets around the country teaching.

And CJ will be traveling doing signings and speaking engagements when her first novel, Lifelines, is released from Berkley on March 4th.

To follow their adventures on the road, check out their websites at www.cjlyons.net and www.margielawson.com

Happy Writing!

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School is Never Out, from CJ:

My nephew wants to write a book, so no big surprise that he loves peppering me with questions: how do I do this, how do I do that?

I love teaching, so I never mind his questions. Just as I never mind the time and effort that go into preparing and presenting my workshops. And as I work on a new project, I’m often drawn back to my own favorite writing teachers–my personal cure for writer’s block and gaining the motivation to tackle revisions.

Since I never had formal training, my personal instructors come in the form of writing books. But hey, how can you go wrong learning from the likes of Stephen King, David Morrell, Terry Brooks, Ray Bradbury, etc. I’m not sure why they’re all written by men, but they work to motivate me. As do books from Donald Maass, Syd Field, Dwight Swain, and Robert McKee.

Again, more men….and despite the treasure trove of sage wisdom and advice these authors offer, I can’t help but wishing other authors would write how-to books. Authors like Mark Helprin and Alice Hoffman–how do they create their worlds of magical realism so effectively and seemingly effortlessly? Or Joseph Campbell–what wonderful insights to be gained if he’d translated his own work for writers instead of Vogler?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Alexandre Dumas shared his world-building techniques? Or Charlotte Bronte her character building and GMC tricks? How about Charles Dickens, what fantastic tips on productivity, deadlines, plotting, and audience expectations could be learned! Or Shakespeare?

Obviously the list could go on. And obviously, most of these writers aren’t able to write a how-to book at this time (unless you believe in seances <g>). So how can we learn from these masters of the craft?

Here’s what I keep telling my nephew. Writers write. And writers read.

Because as long as there are books on the shelf, school is never out.

So, who are your favorite teachers?

CJ

PS: my nephew is only ten, but already studying current masters (JK Rowling) as well as past (JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis)

PPS: my own favorite how-to: Ray Bradbury’s Zen and the Art of Writing followed by a quick read of either his Dandelion Wine or Something Wicked This Way Comes…

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Fighting the Distractionator, from Margie Lawson

Hmmm, my last MMM post was titled: FOCUS! FOCUS!

Now it’s time to look at the distractions that may assault you during a writing session. What types of distractions do you ALLOW?

Phone calls?

E-mails?

Chores? House-related: Laundry, Kitchen, Dreaded Bathrooms . . .

Chores? Writing-related: Responding to priority e-mails, research, promo . . .

Antsy? Will abandon computer chair for any reason?

You can control the distractionator by compartmentalizing your day.

WRITE DOWN WHEN YOU’RE DOING WHAT. Plan your day. Put TIMES next to what you are doing when. USE A TIMER.

STICK with your plan. No cheating. If it’s time to WRITE, you can’t check e-mail 10 times in that writing session. You check e-mail at the time it’s marked on your plan.

You all know what you need to do. DO IT!

FIGHT THE DISTRACTIONATOR! You can WIN!

Margie Lawson — psychologist, writer, and presenter — will be teaching Defeat Self-Defeating Behaviors on-line in January. To read about the course, go to her web site and click on Lecture Packets, www.MargieLawson.com

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STRETCH YOURSELF from CJ:

Margie started us off talking about National Novel Writing Month and focus. She mentioned the challenge of writing under a time constraint–whether self-imposed, publisher-imposed or peer-imposed.

But what if you’re someone who bristles at the thought of writing to a deadline? How can you benefit from a challenge like this?

Instead of worrying about how fast you write, try this: concentrate on what you’re writing. Challenge yourself to write totally new, fresh, something you’ve never done before, something that feels like it’s beyond your reach….and stretch yourself to achieve it.

Just like the folks striving to write 50,000 words in a month, you might not achieve your goals, but even if you don’t you’ll learn a lot from the process. Look at where you failed–what craft tools do you need to learn to fix things? Which authors have successfully accomplished what you set out to do? Study them and their methods. Do you need to do more research? Or maybe you need to explore a new genre?

There’s an old saying: if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. But in writing, if you don’t know it’s broken, you can’t fix it.

So use this challenge to stretch yourself and your writing. I guarantee, it will be worth the effort!

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FOCUS! FOCUS! from Margie Lawson

November is National Novel Writing Month and droves of writers have tapped into their COMMITTMENT and decided to push themselves to write a maximum number of pages this month. I’m impressed with how NaNoWriMo serves as a motivator. NaNoWriMo writers drive hard to meet incredible writing goals.

What if you didn’t sign up for NaNoWriMo?

For those writers who did, what about the other eleven months?

You can be a WINNER every day. Every day you can FOCUS! FOCUS! .

Tap into your STEELY SELF-DISCIPLINE and FOCUS! FOCUS!

Many writing groups have Book-In-A-Week or Book-in-a-Month. Writers join a Yahoo group and post goals and accomplishments. They encourage each other. Celebrate successes. The power of peer support (and unstated peer pressure) helps writers power through the tough spots when they’d rather quit.

Put on your I’M COMMITTED TO SUCCESS hat, make a GOALS TEAM with your writing friends, and work, work, work to make each day successful.

Every time you sit at your computer, FOCUS! FOCUS!

Margie Lawson, psychologist, writer, presenter, is teaching Defeat Self-Defeating Behaviors on-line in January. Visit her web-site for information about her editing courses, live master classes, and Lecture Packets: www.MargieLawson.com.

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FACE-to-FACE with CJ Lyons

I just returned from giving a workshop to a RWA chapter out in Denver. I was the last speaker of the day and as I listened to the other speakers, I realized two things.

First, we writers are blessed to belong to a community of people who are both brilliant and generous enough to share their insights.

And second, that there’s nothing more motivational than getting together with like-minded people and sharing (and debating ) ideas, theories, and tricks of the trade.

I’ve always lived in areas too remote to support any writing organization or chapters. Being with a group of fellow writers over the weekend reminded me how there is nothing better than face-to-face contact and interaction. As writers, we often live a solitary life or make most of our connections via the Internet.

Sometimes we need to realize what we’re missing. So find someone you can talk writing with–face to face in the “real” world. Maybe they’re not at the same level as you, maybe they’re not writing the same genre, maybe they’re not even a writer but only a reader who is interested in the process.

Doesn’t matter, spend a few hours just talking, brainstorming, analyzing, debating. You’ll be amazed at how energized you are once you get back to the keyboard!

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WHO ARE YOU? by Margie Lawson

How would you describe yourself? Take each letter of your first name and think of a positive descriptor that starts with those letters that describes your personality or approach to life.

I’ll share my list so you get the idea. These are off-the-top-of-my-head responses.

M – Master Planner

A – Assertive

R – Risk-taker

G – Goofy / Goal-directed – You can put two for one letter

I – Investigative

E – Enthusiastic

Okay – now it’s your turn. If you have a short first name, add the first letters of your middle and last names.

The words in your list may work for you and against you. The fact that I’m enthusiastic may work against me if I volunteer to co-chair too many writing conferences. My enthusiasm may translate to mega volunteer hours to the detriment of meeting my writing goals.

Consider how your descriptors enhance or block you meeting your goals. Think it through. Make some changes. Get back on your track to success.

I created WHO ARE YOU? for my Defeat Self-Defeating Behaviors course. DSDB is offered on-line in January, and is also presented in a full day master class. Please visit my web site, www.MargieLawson.com , or e-mail me, margie@margielawson.com , if you’d like more information.

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The ABC’s of Writing From CJ:

 

 

People will often ask me if I’m a seat of the pants writer or if I outline or plot ahead of time. They want to know everything about how I write–do I have a schedule, a certain daily page count, do I write everyday…..

 

 

It’s always interesting to hear how someone else accomplishes their goals–and after all, we have the same goal, finishing a book, just different paths. But I worry that others will take what works for me (which varies from day to day as much as the weather) and think that’s the Only way or even worse, the Right Way.

 

 

There’s only one way I know to accomplish your writing goals. I call it the ABC method of writing. Want in on the secret?

 

 

Apply Butt to Chair and write the damn book.

 

 

Just that simple and just that hard.

 

 

When I’m struggling, procrastinating (trying to tell myself that watching TV is really research–yeah, right!), or avoiding, I remember the ABC’s of writing. I sit back down and write.

 

 

Maybe only fifty words, maybe only ten–maybe more but it’s total crap. Doesn’t matter, in the long run it all adds up to a finished book, one baby step at a time. But funny thing. When I’m honest with myself in facing that for some reason I’m avoiding writing, when I do Apply my Butt to the Chair and just write the damn book, an amazing thing often happens.

 

 

That damn book gets written.

 

 

So there you go, my one and only writing secret revealed! Try it!

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A Daring Adventure

from Margie Lawson

“Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

What does that line mean to you?

Read it again: “Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.”

Which adventurer created that challenging line? You might attribute it to Jon Krakauer, who braved climbing Mt. Everest. He chronicled his life-changing journey in his bestselling book, INTO THIN AIR.

If you thought Jon Krakauer or another extreme adventurer wrote that line, you’re wrong.

TIGHTEN YOUR SEATBELT. That quote is from HELEN KELLER.

Helen Keller. Think of the challenges she overcame. Amazing.

Are you motivated? What true challenges do you face as you strive to fit writing into your life?

Like Helen Keller, you can overcome those barriers. Write your novel and live your life as a daring adventure.

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Double Negatives from CJ:

Ever have one of those days? You know what I mean, the ones where the computer acts all fritzy, the light bulb in your favorite reading lamp dies and you don’t have one the right size, the cat barfs on your manuscript pages, your editor loses your cover copy and needs you to re-write, your best-friend (or worse, your mother!) calls to chat, because she knows you don’t have a “real” job and have plenty of time….and, to top everything off, you are totally out of chocolate!!!

Just like opportunity seems to come knocking, so does negativity. I’ve learned not to fight it. Instead, I embrace it–so what if everything goes wrong today? I’ll take today off, make a holiday of it. Instead of fretting about the time I spend on any of the above, I consider it all “free” time. An unscheduled vacation.

Funny thing is, once I readjust my attitude, I suddenly find myself enjoying my day again and becoming even more productive that evening or the next day when I get back to work.

Give it a try–just think of it as yoga for your mind, learning to become more flexible and stretch yourself!

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More Motivational Quotes from Margie Lawson

Seasons are shifting and it’s time to shift our motivation into higher gear. Time to get serious. Time to see how much we can accomplish between now and December.

In an earlier Monday Morning Motivator, I encouraged you to write your own motivational quotes. This week, I’m letting you off easy. Check out these quotes and take what you like.

Life is a great big canvas: throw all the paint on it you can. Danny Kaye

When you reach for the stars you many not get one, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud either. Leo Burnett

Flexible people never get bent out of shape.

We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. Bertha Calloway

Worry is a misuse of the imagination. Dan Zadra

Do painting, cycling, movies, friends after writing. Henry Miller

Success is a finished book, a stack of pages each of which is filled with words. If you reach that point, you have won a victory over yourself as impressive as sailing single-handed around the world. Tom Clancy

Need more quotes? Go to www.quotationspage.com for 3000+ more quotes.

Place motivational quotes all around your house. Get motivated!

Please send your favorites to me, Margie@MargieLawson.com, and I’ll add them to my web site: www.MargieLawson.com

Thanks for sharing your motivation!

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Cleaning House: from CJ

I’m writing this from a new computer…..and in the middle of transferring all the stuff I need from my old one.

Do I really need those articles on Civil War physician Mary Sharrat (the first woman Army physician)??? I don’t write historicals, so why did I keep those? Hmm, there must have been a reason, so guess they should stay….

Yikes! Ever notice how sometimes we get into a scarcity mentality? We live in fear that if we ever do need something in the future, it won’t be there for us. But lets face it, what are the odds that I will ever need information on Mary Sharrat and if I do, that I won’t be able to find it online faster than I could find it in the labyrinth of my files???

Why do we live with all this clutter just because we’re afraid of what-if’s? Take control of our life. Purge your workspace, including your computer, and enjoy–no relish!–the freedom!

I guarantee, there’s plenty of information out there–no need to live in fear any longer!

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Refusal Skills Strategies

from Margie Lawson

Thanks to CJ Lyons for getting us focused on saying NO. She’s right. We need to protect our goals. Protect our dreams. Protect our sanity.

Sometimes the seemingly strongest-willed people find themselves trapped in a conversation that ends in a volunteer commitment. Aack! They may have initially declined, but by the time the conversation ended, their NO had morphed into a reluctant YES.

Here are REFUSAL SKILLS STRATEGIES to help NO responses remain firm NO’s.

1. Monitor and moderate your BODY LANGUAGE. Look them in the eye, make your voice strong, smile, and say NO. Show your conviction.

2. SUGGEST AN ALTERNATIVE. Another volunteer? Another option?

3. CHANGE THE TOPIC. This is imperative. It may seem abrupt – and that’s okay. Just do it. Slip into your acting role and earn an Oscar. Become passionate, intrigued, immersed in another subject. Use your body language.

4. If the topic change doesn’t fly, or you can’t think of one, EXIT. Tap into your creativity and get out of there.

CONGRATULATIONS! You have successfully executed a NO response. ))

Beware: If you give multiple excuses why you can’t do something, the other person may wear you down. They may say other people have deadlines, have company, have a broken arm too. Then, you’re trapped.

If you do give a reason, be sure it’s a gem. You’ll be out of town, so you cannot do X on a certain date. That’s a viable reason. You know you’re safe.

One option is to give a BROKEN RECORD RESPONSE. Keep giving the same reason, over and over and over again. Same wording. Say it with a smile. I promise, they’ll quit asking.

I am a big believer in volunteering, in giving back to organizations and communities. And – I also believe we often over-commit and sabotage ourselves. Give yourself permission to say NO, use these refusal skills strategies and you will be successful.

This tip came from my Defeat Self-Defeating Behaviors course. It’s offered in January. Check my web site for more information: www.MargieLawson.com

 

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A Girl Who Can’t Say “No!” from CJ:

I’m just a girl who can’t say No! So goes the song and so goes my life….and my free time, my writing time, my work-out time, my family time…you get the picture.

It’s hard for working writers, especially those of us working from home, to say no. After all, we’re easy targets. To pick up the neighbor’s packages, answer the calls from telemarketers (how many times have you been in the zone only to have it shattered by a call about mortgage insurance?), run errands, help out with writing groups, etc, etc.

Yeah, we know the rules: prioritize our time, protect our working space and schedule, yadada….but it all boils down to learning how to say No!

So, here I go, my new resolution–I’m going to learn how to say No! How about you?
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Powering Up Motivational Quotes, from Margie Lawson

Writers are quote-hounds. Some writers have quotes under their signature lines in every e-mail they send. Others have them taped to their computers, on notebooks, on calendars, on their refrigerator doors. Note: those are all places where writers spend time. ))

Quotes have the power to motivate. YET, as a psychologist, I’m not sure writers use quotes in a way that taps power. In a way that truly functions to motivate.

You can add power to quotes in two ways:

1. Read a quote that grabs you, then STOP and THINK. Why does it have a special meaning for you? What’s it telling you? What do you need to do differently TODAY to make that quote impact you positively?

2. Write your own motivating quote. STOP and THINK. Where do you need your motivational boost? What will work best for you? Humor? Alliteration? Power words?

Here’s a motivational quote I wrote. It works for me. Every day, every hour, follow your map to success.

 

Analyzing my quote, it implies that I’ve made a map, that I know what I need to be doing to achieve my goals. Achieving my goals will drive my success.

If I follow the directive of that quote, does that mean I’m task-focused every waking hour? No. My daily or weekly maps have time out for fun, friends, vacations, and just being me. I’m in control of those time outs. I’m also in control of meeting my goals.

 

Sometimes you read a quote and it sticks. Here’s one that gives me an uplift, and motivates me to shift into a higher gear. Do not settle for less than an extraordinary life.

 

Motivate yourself. Enjoy your life. Succeed.

 

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Don’t Go it Alone from CJ:

Attending ThrillerFest last week reminded me that even though writers toil in solitary, it really does take a “village” to ensure success in this business.

Everyone needs a little help from their friends–and writing is no exception. This help may start before you write a single word with an encouraging spouse who covers for you with the family when you seclude yourself in your writing cave. Or a friend who doesn’t mind you brainstorming the best way to hide a body as you’re strolling through a crowded mall.

Writing friends who act as critique partners, first readers, early editors, instructors and mentors. Published authors who give you encouragement, advice, and blurbs. The industry pros who help you break out: agents, editors, assistants, copy editors, publicists, reviewers, booksellers, sales force, librarians, etc, etc.And finally the readers who tell us when we’ve done something right–and who don’t let us get away with anything!So the next time you’re banging your head against your keyboard wondering if you’ll ever get anywhere with your writing take a moment and reflect on everyone around you. Give thanks to your invisible support team, because no one gets by without alot of help from their friends!
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Entice Your Muse with Choices

– from Margie

SUMMERTIME . . . and the livin’ is easy. But motivating yourself to write, might not be as easy. Is your muse nagging you for a vacation? Or did your muse take an unscheduled and unapproved leave of absence?

If your muse is getting lazy, it’s time to entice it to play. You’ll need to coax it to perform at a decent productivity level.

Give your muse choices. Make each choice a winner. J

Make a list of writing options:

. . . Write a scene of dialogue only

. . . Write 5 fresh character descriptions

. . . Write an action sequence

. . . List all senses that could be used in your next 3 scenes, then write those lines

You’re creative! You fill in 3, 5, or 10 more ENTICE YOUR MUSE IDEAS . . .

You may have to work harder to entice your muse this summer. Capture your ideas in a file, you may need them the next time your muse wants a vacation. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Keep on Moving! From CJ:

The science world this week has been filled with great reasons for you to keep moving!!

Did you know that exercise stimulates the growth of new brain cells? Yep, especially the brain cells found in the hippocampus which is the part of the brain that translates memory and experience. A vital area for us writers!!

And, exercise has been shown to stimulate the production of the chemicals needed to fight depression, block pain, and prevent inflammation. That twenty minute walk around the block to clear your head is better than a fistful of Prozac, Codeine or aspirin!!

Furthermore, regular exercise helps to prevent stress not only in your mind but also on your face. Yep, no more botox, healthy eating and regular exercise can do more to erase those wrinkles!

So, what are you waiting for? Get moving!

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Improve Your MOOD with Music From Margie;

Want to feel better? Want to be in a better mood? Listen to music.

Research with college students indicates that listening to music, any kind of music that pleases you, will improve your mood. Listen to what you like, rock/pop, soft rock/easy listening, oldies, jazz, Broadway show tunes, classical, new-age. Anything you choose, will work mood magic.

Some writers play certain music or certain performers/bands while they are writing a specific type kind of scene. The pace of the music matches scene elements.

You can boost your mood ahead of time by listening to music while you’re getting ready for your day, or getting ready for your date with your computer. Music can be used as an associative trigger for reconnecting with your muse, your story, and your characters.

If you’re a keep-it-quiet kind of writer, you might try listening to energizing music for 20 minutes before you start your writing session. If you pair the music with exercise for those 20 minutes, you’ve just earned extra credit, and you’ll dive into your writing session totally jazzed. ))

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SWITCHING GEARS: from CJ

Ever feel like your brain is just plain tuckered out? The writing goes stale, nothing you read is pulling you in….heck, even your fav authors aren’t engaging you, much less inspiring you to get back to work.

What to do?Try taking a break from processing words and switch gears to more visual pursuits. Grab some paints or crayons and create some art (no one has to see it except you). Or re-cycle those old magazines by cutting out photos and creating a collage. For those more computer savvy, make a video.

Think of your story as you work, use it as your inspiration. Relax. Have fun. After all, it’s not writing, it’s playtime.

You might be surprised by your results! I know I was. I created this video that I posted on my MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/cjlyonswriter) as a way to think about my characters and I like it enough that I’m going to see if my editor can use it to give the sales staff a visual handle on my cross-genre book. I think it nicely captures the romance, suspense, medical elements and that this book focuses on the women characters.

Switch gears and return to your writing rejuvenated and refreshed!

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WHOMPING THE SLUG : from Margie

Do you ever feel like a SLUG? Living your day as a SEDENTARY being. A slug. Sluggish. A sluggish body may contribute to a sluggish mind.

Can you unslug? Deslug? Are you willing to build a CARDIO-BREAK in to your day? One 30-60 minute cardio-and-brain-enhancing workout? Two or three shorter ones? Your body needs it and so does your mind.

Stephen King takes a one hour walk every day. EVERY DAY. ONE HOUR. EVERY DAY.Not just on the days when it fits well in his schedule. Not just when he’s met a deadline. Not just when a good friend stops by and says, “Hey, want to go on a walk?”

RESEARCH INDICATES that walking–and any physical exercise with a rhythmic component–increases brain function. Walking stimulates creativity. If you haven’t been exercising, you could start off with thirty minutes per day and work up to exercising 60 minutes per day. If you’re walking alone, use a micro-cassette recorder. Brainstorm your story. Get creative asking ‘What if?’ Dig deep into your story and your characters.

If you are already exercising regularly six days a week, you deserve major kudos. Your writing will get a creativity boost, your friends and family will get the benefit of your improved mood, and you’ll feel more energetic. Be good to yourself and your psyche and enjoy whomping the slug!