How To Inspire Yourself To Write

Because sometimes we all need to be inspired before writing.

Exercise.

Dance. Play baseball. Shoot some hoops. Whatever you like. Move your body, and maybe your mind will too.

Write.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is write, even when you’re slumping. If nothing else, start another project. Try to write when you aren’t inspired or motivated. Who knows what might happen.

Read.

If you don’t feel like reading, watch a movie or TV show. Perhaps other stories will inspire you to tell your own.

Game.

Play. Have fun. Video games are great. You have a new world to discover. You get to see a storyline unfold. You can study dialogue between different characters.

Blog.

Bloggers are some of the most inspiring people you’ll ever meet. Enough said.

Rest.

At times, you just need a break. That’s okay. Eat. Sleep. Take care of your body. Return to your story when you’re ready.

Explore.

Go outside. Take a walk. Travel somewhere you’ve never been before. That could get the creative juices flowing again.

Happy writing!

I Want To Write Full-Time

For the longest time, I imagined I’d have a regular 9-to-5 job, unrelated to writing while I wrote on the side during my own time. But these days I want to write full-time.

I’ve never considered myself to be a journalist. Despite some people seeing me as one, I don’t. I haven’t dabbled in journalism. I feel like I’m not that passionate about it. Even though I considered doing an undergraduate degree in journalism, I’m glad I didn’t. I love making up stories too much.

I’ve been thinking that instead of chasing a perfect career, I’d choose a preferred lifestyle. Rather than aiming to be an author, I should strive to create a life where I can write.

I need to be flexible and open-minded. Having an all or nothing mindset isn’t ideal. Besides if I never become an author, it’s not the end of the world. I’d be happy having a career that enables me to write.

I’ve also been thinking that a lot of people obsess over the highlights of a career, yet overlook the less glamorous aspects of a job.

Pursuing writing as a profession means dealing with criticism and rejection. Half the battle is being able to endure the bad.

All this to say, I still have no idea what I’ll be doing after I graduate. I just want to write.

My Poem Is Being Published

I couldn’t be more excited. It’s been a hard year in many ways. So this achievement feels even more meaningful to me.

Every success reminds me of why I started. Why I haven’t given up. I want to continue. I don’t want to quit.

My poem is being published in an anthology. Funny story that isn’t funny. I thought I wouldn’t hear back, so I made a few edits and published the poem on my blog. But then I got a letter saying they wanted to publish it. As a result, I had to make the post private.

That story says a lot about me. But it also goes to show you just how long the publishing process takes.

I first had to sign a release form. Then I approved the proof for print. Now, everything is out of my hands.

I wrote this poem in 2016. It’ll be published at the end of 2018. That’s crazy to me.

I’m so grateful for all your support. I don’t have many writer friends in real life. Which is why I often don’t share this kind of stuff with them. Thanks for listening to me through thick and thin.

To be honest, I try to blog every day because I want to document the good as well as the bad. Not just the highs or the highlights. I want to récord the beautiful and ugly moments in my life.

I hope I can inspire others. At the very least, I hope you know you’re not alone.

A Big Reason Why I Love Writing

It’s an established fact that I’m an introvert, and I love being alone. Being around other people is exhausting.

I fell in love with writing because I get to be by myself with my own thoughts, even if I’m around other people.

I can get away from the real world for a moment. I can’t imagine what it’s like to not have a safe place, a safe space.

Writing sessions re-charge me. They give me so much energy. I gain more confidence to walk into a room like I own it. OK, maybe not. But I’ll always be grateful for stories, both other people’s and my own.

To be completely honest, this year has been so good and so bad, sometimes both at the same time. I’ve fallen in many senses, literally and metaphorically.

Some days, I want to tell myself just how proud I am, but I don’t know if I have the right words. I’m so lucky.

At one point, I kind of resented the fact that life goes on, but now I realize I have to go on.

I’ll be the first to say I’m not perfect. Far from it. But I’m doing my best. And no matter what happens, I’ll keep writing.

I might struggle at times. But I will keep going until I can’t.

On Submitting My Work To Writing Contests

I have no problem writing all the time. But submitting is a whole other story. I feel bad but clearly not that bad.

The thought of submitting seems so daunting. I need to break it down into smaller steps. I should start somewhere.

For me, the act of starting anything tends to be the hardest part more often than not. Once I start however, I find that the work isn’t so bad.

I’m not sure how I managed to submit stuff in the past. The first time was about six years ago. I entered a contest just for fun. Little did I know I’d end up being published.

Last year I submitted a story right before exam season. As you can see, I had my priorities straight. It worked out because I got the story published and didn’t fail any of my exams.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any negative consequences if I don’t submit. I have a lot to gain, but nothing to lose. Perhaps I should create my own consequences for being a lazy potato.

I like to think I’ll figure things out. I’m still learning, and I have more to learn.

At the very least, I know what I want to accomplish. Now I just have to get to work.

Sometimes You Just Have To Start Writing

Don’t worry about getting things right the first time you write. You can always edit later, but you need to write first.

It’s okay if you don’t know how your story is going to end. It’s okay if you have multiple endings. Make sure you get to the end. Finish what you start. You can’t publish a book if you give up halfway through.

You’re still allowed to take a break, a hiatus, a vacation. Take as much time as you need to recharge your batteries.

What works for someone else might not work for you. Find what does. Lose what doesn’t.

Keep your head up. All your hard work will pay off one day. Nothing great happens overnight anyway. Make the most of your time.

Raise the bar higher. Do what you think is impossible.

When you fall down, stand up again. Brush the dirt away. Shake the rust off. Start again, even and especially when you think you can’t.

Take a chance on yourself. Make it work out. Want something badly enough. Be willing to go after it.

Enjoy today because you never know what tomorrow will bring.

You’re better than you think. Give yourself the credit you deserve. Put in more time and effort. You’ll be rewarded.

It doesn’t get easier. But you get better, smarter, stronger.

Sometimes you just have to start writing. So give yourself permission to begin.

The Most Difficult Thing About Working From Home

Obviously, I can’t speak for anyone else. But as someone who has worked from home for a while, I find self regulation the hardest part.

I need enough discipline to start and not to stop when I get distracted. So even though I love working from home, it’s still challenging.

I don’t like when people breathe down my neck. That said, I do like when others offer structure. I need deadlines to work effectively.

I enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working from home. I can create my own schedule. I’m able to work when I want to rather than when I have to.

Being able to work from home means I don’t need to leave the house every day. Then again, sometimes I want a change of scenery.

As a writer and blogger, I can do what I need to from almost anywhere.

Self discipline isn’t some innate skill. It takes time and effort to build. But being able to work independently is important.

I think working from home has advantages and disadvantages, just like everything else in the world. It’s not for everybody, but because I’m such a homebody, I can’t complain.

Personally I work best when somebody gives me specific instructions beforehand. And then gives me space to do the assigned task.

Everyone’s different, but having both structure and freedom is what I strive for.

I’m Submitting My Writing Again

It’s about time.

As a 21-year-old, I’m not a teenager anymore. So I’ve become ineligible for a lot of contests I’ve submitted to before. But I don’t feel like an adult either. I’m not a professional writer.

I have a ton of poems I’d like to get published somewhere. Hopefully, something works out.

In addition to my creative writing, I’ll try to write an essay every now and then for scholarships. I’m still a student. I graduate next year though, which kind of freaks me out.

I love but also hate not knowing what tomorrow will bring. Nevertheless, I’m excited to see what’s in store.

These days, I feel more motivated. I want to do more and do better.

If I want to have something to show the world, first I need to show up.