Lately I have felt that I’ve been losing my focus. Last night, I decided to write down what’s really important to me and my writing.
The result were 9 things I want to always keep with me during my writing journey.
Karen’s Writing Manifesto
- I will write from my heart.
- I will be patient in my progress.
- I will learn from my mistakes and failures.
- I will support my fellow writers.
- I will read lots of books.
- I will forgive myself.
- I will remember the real reason I write.
- I will respect my reading audience.
- I will never give up.
We have to keep sight of these things during the journey so we don’t lose our way during times of discouragement! Esp. the being patient part! :)
Wow, I really love this. Can I steal your manifesto? Actually, that’s no good, probably need to write my own. =) But this seems such a good message to keep telling yourself (and myself!) throughout this maddening process.
All good goals :) Good luck!
I’ve been feeling really unfocused too. There’s something about summer that makes me feel really stuck. I really like #6 – sometimes things just don’t go as planned and we have to let it go!
Really great list! It’s not an easy job, especially when you have a day job too! #2 is hardest for me :)
My new motto is, “I am a writer and I will do writerly things.” So I signed up for a class on voice at a local college. Being in a room with other writers inspires.
I love manifestos! Thank you so much for sharing yours. I agree with every item on your list.
Laura: I put these in my office to help me remember in those times of discouragement.
Anne: Ha, I think I may need to read this every day to keep focus. Feel free to use it and add other manifesto items.
Tiana: Thanks! :) We’ll see how much it helps in the future.
Anna: #6 has been a must for me this year. I’m really hard on myself. So forgiveness is going to help me be more flexible.
Jemi: #2 is a tough one for me too. But the worst thing I can do right now is query too soon.
Gwen: Good for you. I love going to classes and reading craft books. Let me know what you think of the Voice class — sounds like a good one.
Amy: Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. :) I think the list could be used for any kind of art or in life too when you think about it.
Thanks for the comments, ya’ll. :)
LOVE this list! Tweeting it now.
These are all really great things to keep in mind during your writing journey. I especially love #6 and #7. Forgiving yourself is really important, especially in the beginning when you’re still trying to find your way with writing. And, of course, we should always remember why we write and why it’s important to us.
Hey Jessica! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. #6 is something that I’m working on. As writers, sometimes I think we can be too hard on ourselves. But if we have other obligations (as most of us do), we have to know that we can’t always be all things to all people — even to our writing.
Great list, I have it marked to read again and again in the future. You have the “write” idea, may we all learn from it and follow your lead.
Ciao,
Ardee-ann