How to write

My daughter is on the brink of adulthood. She‘ll be 18 years old in a couple of months and graduating from high school. She’ll get her first job, go to a new school and be on her own. I’m freaking out, and so is she. My advice has been to take things one step at a time, to make small changes on the journey to great changes. I’ve learned to manage my stress during significant endeavors or life changing events by putting one foot in front of the other.

Harry Sinclair Drago was an American novelist and short story writer who specialized in historical fiction set in the Southwestern States. Over the course of his career, he wrote more than a hundred articles, short stories, screenplays and articles. He published more than three full-length novels a year for 30 years using various pen names. When asked how he wrote over a hundred books, Drago responded “Four pages a day.”

The actions you take each day accumulate for huge results over time.  Don’t just plan to take action though. Thinking of a plot for your novel is not taking action. Rather draft a plot summary or write a story outline - actions which yield tangible results. When you have visible results, you won’t fool yourself about the progress you’re making.

And to keep things moving, define action steps that are small enough you’re sure to complete. If you can’t write four pages a day, write just 100 words. Set small goals that you’re sure you can achieve. If you find yourself procrastinating, you may need to break your actions into smaller steps.

For example, you may have the action item “Prepare copies of manuscript for mailing”, which can be broken down into even smaller steps:
1. Research submission guidelines (font, size, margins, etc.)
2. Print 10 copies first chapter, story synopsis and chapter summary
3. Write query letter
4. Prepare envelops, enclose SASE and mail.

Your accomplishments will fuel your momentum. Enjoy the satisfaction of completing tasks. Too often we notice only our setbacks and fail to acknowledge our successes. At the end of every day, Ben Franklin would ask himself: “What good have I done this day?”  Ask yourself: “What have I done today to move my life and career forward?”

Take small steps. You will move forward. With consistent action over time, you will look back in awe at how far you’ve come.