You can spend a lot of time fretting about things you have
zero control over. You can do this so much that it blocks
you creatively and disturbs your inner peace.
OR
You can understand to the core of your being that
you are a writer, and every minute you spend fretting
is a minute you're not thinking about your work,
reading the work of great writers you want to emulate . . .
or just doing the damn laundry so you can write in
clean underpants.
In other words, when you start to fret about this stuff . . .
you are NOT WRITING.
you are NOT WRITING.
Get back to work.
It's the one thing you can control, and it's the one thing
that will get you moving toward your goal.
(Janet Reid)
Yes. Just . . . yes.
And happy November to all the NaNoWriMo's out there! We can do this!
Absolutely true Madeline. That's what I have decided to do, just write and stop fretting!
ReplyDeleteGo for it, Rachna!
DeleteI had to LEARN not to fret, but thankfully I learned it young. Maybe all teenage girls sort of like drama, but I remember so distinctly the difference between before and after on that learning to just walk away and do my own thing. NOT in my control, so I had to stop trying to force it or obsessing about it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with NaNO!!!!
Unfortunately, fretting runs in my family, and I'm finding it really does mess with my writing. I will do better! I must!
DeleteGood luck to you, too!
Ha! I think my laundry gets neglected almost as much as my writing does...I think I've already given up on NaNo.
ReplyDeleteDon't give up! It's only Day 3. You can do it! One word at a time....
DeleteGreat motivation for NaNo! Thanks for sharing, Madeline.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Jay. Good luck with Nano!
DeleteIf you can't change or control it, why worry?
ReplyDeleteI know, I know, my husband says the same thing.... :)
DeleteGreat motivation today, as I pause to go start laundry. And put something in the crockpot. I needed this.
ReplyDeleteGlad it helps, Susan.
DeleteAnd I'm just starting to get into using the crockpot - love it!
Great motivational advice. A friend of mine and I were just discussing this topic. Fretting over things you can't control is a time and energy waster.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think back to all the time I've wasted worrying about things I can't control, I want to scream. Ugh. No more.
DeleteLOVE it!!! I do enjoy writing in clean underpants.
ReplyDeleteAnd in clean pajamas. :)
DeleteWho wears underpants anymore? ;P
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you're participating in NaNo so I can add you as a writing buddy. :)
Ha!
DeleteI think we're already buddies. I'll look for you next time I'm on the NaNo site.
So true. Writing is good for the soul. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for NaNo.
Thanks, Lynda!
DeleteGreat words! And yeah, happy, good, awesome writing to the NaNoWriMo's!!
ReplyDeleteThis WriMo is going to need all the help she can get. :)
DeleteAnother great quote! Janet Reid is always full of great advice, isn't she?
ReplyDeleteShe really is. I have a few more of her words of wisdom tucked away for future reference.
DeleteReading a few of the last comments, I feel like I missed something...:-)
ReplyDeleteGo. Write. Be amazing. (And I'll see you in December!)
"Be amazing" is a lot of pressure, Cathy, but I'll try. :)
Delete*raises fist in air and cheers*
ReplyDelete*quickly drops it in order to keep writing*
Ha! Yes, keep writing, you. :)
DeleteI'm not doing NaNo but this is still great advice for me right now. Sometimes it seems all I do is fret even though I know it is useless.
ReplyDeleteGood luck NaNoing, Madeline!
It really is great advice in general. And thanks! :)
DeleteWoot, woot! Yes we can. We're going to rock it, right?
ReplyDeleteUnleashing the Dreamworld
I hope so!
Delete