 |
Writing the PDA Way
When we think of writing it triggers many thoughts and visions depending on our framing. It could trigger a lone man with a full astray, unshaven, staring at an old plunking typewriter with white blank crisp paper waiting in anticipation for his words.
If a mother or younger, it could conjure up an image of a 30-something woman typing away on a keyboard with an apron on, in between making formulas or getting ready for work, still dark outside. Pounding on the keys because the flow is there, just as the light from the window begins to change, trying to get as much onto the page before the kids need her attention.
If you grew up in a Catholic school in the 50s, writing could mean perfect penmanship and a rap on the knuckles if you didn't.
The times have changed, thank goodness, and now children grow up with memories of learning to cluster and freewrite. To allow whatever needs to flow appear onto the page. There are more books than ever on creativity, and how to play and embrace the craft new everyday. It is a freeing time for writers.
Yet, three principles prevail no matter what your association to the meaning of writer appears. They are PDA, for short. No, not the PDA you carry around in your pocket. But the PDA a writer needs to carry around in the heart.
P=patience D=discipline A=action
The patience to allow our writing to mature with practice. To push just enough to keep us uncomfortable yet still allow us to keep trying.
The discipline to sit still long enough to get it started and completed. The discipline to keep picking up the pen, putting another sheet of paper in the printer, or buying new keyboards because the last one certain keys just plain gave out.
Action to keep the vision and dream alive for one more time, one more word, one more story, one more meaning.
Remember, the next time you want to write more or write better. Don't pull out your PDA from your pocket, but pull out the ones that really count from your heart. The ones that truly affect your ass(ets), patience, discipline, and creative action. Catherine Franz is a Marketing & Writing Coach, niches, product development, Internet marketing, nonfiction writing and training. Additional Articles: http://www.abundancecenter.com blog: http://abundance.blogs.com
MORE RESOURCES:
|
Why Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg Returned to Writing CodeBloomberg (blog)Mark Zuckerberg has returned to writing code after a six-year hiatus from programming, a fact revealed in Bloomberg Businessweek's story today on how the Facebook founder hacked the world of Silicon Valley. Like many young entrepreneurs, Zuckerberg had ...and more » |
|
Writing's on the wall for McNabbESPNBy Ashley Fox | ESPN.com There is one franchise that would seem to be a perfect fit for Donovan McNabb, a place where he knows the system, the personnel, the expectations and the playbook, and he wouldn't have to mentor anybody.and more » |
|
Lisa Rinna on writing a book about sexCNN"The Big Fun Sexy Sex Book" is a fun and innovative guide to rejuvenating your sex life and libido, co-written with renowned sex therapist Ian Kerner (who writes about sex on CNN's medical news blog, The Chart). The vivacious 48-year-old actress is ...and more » |
|
How to Write About IsraelRight Side NewsWriting about Israel is a booming field. No news agency, be it ever so humble, can avoid embedding a few correspondents and a dog's tail of stringers into Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, to sit in cafes clicking away on their laptops, meeting up with leftist ...and more » |
ABC News (blog) |
Mexican Writer Carlos Fuentes Dies at 83Wall Street Journal (blog)By Jose de Cordoba MEXICO CITY – Carlos Fuentes, Mexico's most famous writer, and a world-known public intellectual, died Tuesday, depriving the nation of its most internationally recognized voice. Mr. Fuentes, a novelist, poet, diplomat, critic, ...In Writing, Fuentes Shed Light On Poverty, InequalityNPRCarlos Fuentes, Mexican Novelist Who Inspired Latin American Writing, DiesABC News (blog)Mexican author Carlos Fuentes diesABC OnlineLos Angeles Times -Reuters -San Francisco Chronicleall 941 news articles » |
|
Short story writer takes home Sophie Kerr AwardThe Star DemocratManion, an English major from Clarksville, took the prize with her submission of four short stories she considers to be works in progress, and excerpts of her thesis on the role of letter writing in literature a study that drew from the novels of Jane ...and more » |
Google News
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
The Writing Life
In the 7th grade I wanted to be an architect but it turns out math is involved. Who knew? My 8th grade English teacher talked me into working on the school newspaper and I was hooked.
Creative Writing Tips - Does The Name You Chose Suit Your Character?
How do you choose a name? Do you put down the first name that pops into your mind? Initially that's what I used to do, until someone pointed out to me that there are a few things to take into consideration when choosing a name?1. You Have To Be Comfortable With ItWe associate names with people we know.
Ten Quick Tips for Inexperienced Writers
One of the biggest problems that inexperienced writers have is simply knowing how to get started. If you've unsure of your writing skills, then here are some quick tips to help you get started.
Writing For The Web: Where To Get Article Ideas
A friend and I were talking the other day about writing. He liked to write, but even so his biggest problem was finding things to write about.
The Authors Life: 14 Hints on Creating a Career Plan
1. Remember publication is a business; writing is an art.
Break in with Fillers: The Best Market for New Writers
Interested in breaking into writing or breaking into a new area? You can't go past writing fillers. Fillers are one of the most overlooked opportunities in the freelance writing world and offer one of the best opportunities for new writers.
Dialogue Tags - A Study in Common Errors
Verb and SubjectIncorrect:"I bet you two had a fine time," said Ben.When using tags, it's unusual to have the verb before the subject.
Prolific Writers
Prolific authors write; they don't just dream about it. A good example is Georges Simenon of Inspector Maigret fame.
Rules for Getting the Story Down
1. Write it fast, fix it later.
Discover the Writer Hiding Inside You
Has the thought run across you mind that you might want to write a column or two? Maybe you thought about writing your own material for your company newsletter. Maybe someone asked you to share your expertise with others by writing a how-to paper.
How to Break In and Succeed as a Screenwriter
Screenwriting is a competitive trade. To distinguish yourself as a prize-winning writer you need to master organizational skills, take creative risks, and learn how best to present your final product.
Freelance Feast or Famine?
Sometimes a freelance writing career can feel very much like "feast or famine".At the very beginning, it's almost all famine.
A Few Brief Tips to Deal with Writing Rejection
What to do when you get rejected.You've just finished your book, sent out query letters and was rejected.
A Writers Tools
William Faulkner, the great Mississippi writer, said, "The tools I need for work are paper, tobacco, food, and a little whisky."Every writer needs certain tools to accomplish the task of being a writer.
Vital Verbs
Remember back in the dark days of your school years when you had to learn the parts of speech? A noun is the name of a person, place, or thing. When asked what a verb was, you smugly answered, A verb is a word that indicates action, or some such definition.
Writing Dialogue That Make Your Characters Come Alive
Characters in a good novel really carry the story along more than any other concept in writing. A problem I too often see in my clients' writing is stale dialogue; the kind that sounds like every character is the same person.
Top Ten Ways to Write a Book That Sells
Is there a book inside of you? Yes? Then why don't you write it? Or, if you've already written a book, wouldn't you like to sell more? So many of you have a great idea for a book, even a dynamite title, but much more is needed to write a book that sells. Here's the top ten ways to write a book that sells:
1.
Tips for First Time Authors : 2 Easy Steps to Make Your First Book a Success
Congratulations on writing your first book. That is quite an accomplishment.
Overcome Writers Block with Snake Dancing
Writer's block! Even columnist Dave Berry has it. He admits that at least 30 times a day when writing his humor column, he gets up from his computer to sip his Pepsi to divert his attention when he can't think of what to write.
Apostrophe Usage Made Simple
According to one of my previous articles, whenever a Southernersays "Y'all watch this," get out of the way because those areprobably the last words he will ever say.Well, I'm a Southerner.
|
