The annual Left Behind and Loving It workshops are wrapping up, and the RWA partiers are cleaning up the confetti and heading home. Tomorrow is Monday and back to business as usual. Some thoughts to take away:
1. Writing is physically and mentally demanding work. Self-care is essential to keep up the stamina needed to do the work. It isn’t just sitting in a chair typing, or laying on a chaise nibbling bon bons and giving dictation. It’s more like digging ditches with your brain. Take care of your brain and your body, you can’t buy replacements.
2. The business of publishing is demanding, and while ideally art and business would go happily hand in hand, nothing is ideal. Take care of your art while minding your business; without your art, you have no business.
3. Everybody eventually loses their rose-colored publishing glasses, but the ability to create a story out of nothing is a miracle. Treasure the miracle, practise it daily, and know that while nothing is perfect, the ability to write a book and see it in print and for sale is pretty damn terrific.
4. You can’t hit a target if you don’t know what you’re aiming at. Set clear goals and check to see if your actions are taking you towards them. It’s okay for goals to change, too. In fact, it’s a sign that you’re not dead, stuck in a rut, or complacent.
5. Buy bunny slippers. PBW is dead right about that one.
Thanks to everybody who particpated. The floor’s open to questions.
Great summary! Have to pass on the bunny slippers though…desert living is not conducive to slippers of any kind, LOL.
I don’t know, the desert gets cold at night. And bunny slippers are so snuggly.
It’s more like digging ditches with your brain.
Ain’t that the truth!
Dunno about the bunny slippers, though. This winter I fancy one of those big sheepskin single slippers you put both feet in. Not great for getting around, but who wants to get around when you have a big sheepskin slipper?
This is a great list – much to think over.
Margay
Big sheepskin slipper does sound like a good reason to stay at the computer in comfort.
Margay, as long as it’s food for thought that doesn’t cause indigestion. *g*