It has been more than 15 years since I sat at my first writer workshops or attended my first writer group.

Since then, “I am a writer.” has graced many workshops and conferences I have attended, and it has been the premise of more than one book on the craft that I have read.

Until recently, I have allowed resistance to detour my belief that “I am a writer.” Resistance in the form of time wasters. Resistance in the form of self-doubt. Resistance in the form of letting the unimportant become the important.

HOW?

I have allowed life to life at me, to interrupt my writing flow, to weaken my resolve that I WILL get the novel, short story, blog post, or an article. Don’t get me wrong, I am NOT whining. I’m simply admitting that I have allowed resistance to get the best of me. I have allowed resistance to convince me that this writing thing I do isn’t worth my time.

WHY ADMIT THAT?

1. I admit it because in admitting it, I am working to conquer resistance.
2. I admit it because I know there are other writers who sometime let resistance get to them.
3. I admit it because I know there are other people out there who want to write but resistance has stopped them from getting a single thought onto the page unless it was an assignment for school.

In perusing this blog, that I wrote about this statement once before: “I am a writer.” (You can read that article here.)

September 1, 2019, I decided to reclaim my place in the ranks of the people who proudly say

“I AM A WRITER!”

And I say so loudly and proudly.

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SO, WHAT AM I DOING DIFFERENTLY? HOW AM I CONQUERING RESISTANCE?

ONE: I have de-cluttered, organized, and cleaned my writing studio. (Office sounds too formal and cold, but studio, studio sounds creative. I want to be creative.)

TWO: I am working to develop a routine that works for me, versatile enough to all for all the varied appointment life has dealt our household, but consistent enough that I MUST do something each day to move my writing career forward. I’ve learned in the past few months that what other people do with their writing day sounds good, but I truly need something that fits me. (So, if you happen to peruse the previous posts in this blog, you will find a series of starts and stops and “one hit wonder” tries at things that other people do. Since I have not followed through with consistency, you can infer that idea just didn’t work for me.)

THREE: I am in the midst of Module One: Developing My Writing Habit in my Home Schooled MFA.

FOUR: I am participating in two local writer groups: one is a goals group, and the other is a mixture of writing, critiquing, and learning.

FIVE: I am adhering to the belief that I can do anything for at least 10 minutes.

Just 5 things to remember to help me conquer resistance.

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How does resistance you and your writing? What are you doing to kick resistance to the curb? Take a moment to share in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.

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Thanks for reading.

AND

As you move through your day-to-day activities and responsibilities, please remember to

Live Life –

Keep Things Simple –

Look for the Positive –

AND

Smile.

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