Close your eyes and wish and you will become a writer...right?
Remember when I wrote about Resistance and how our lower selves work really hard to keep our higher selves from achieving big things? Well, I’m happy to say that I’ve mostly kicked my lower self into submission on this book writing project in Edinburgh.
I say “mostly” because there have been times she’s reared her ugly head and pushed me back a step or two. It is hard to keep up a 2-hour writing block first thing in the morning when you want to go out and walk the city in the fresh early-morning air or sleep in after a late night out with new friends.
There are always excuses, aren’t there? I’d find them whether I was alone on a tropical island or in the middle of a bustling city. Or on a trip of a lifetime or in my old life from before. Really, there is no “ideal” time to pursue a dream of any size because routine and daily living will always intrude. You have to make time, and continue making time, and continue making time. <sigh>
If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.
And the self-help section at the bookstore would be empty.
The Book Project
So far I’ve written 30,000 words, but since the first 10,000 were crap I am sitting at a total of 20,000 as of today. Thanks to a suggestion by both Tranque and Amber, I’m now using the Pomodoro Technique and loving the focus it provides (while also highlighting how easily I get distracted). This isn’t just a technique for writers, so check out the free pdf and see if it can help you gain focus at work or on your personal projects.
The book I’m writing is about how we saved the money for this trip and the changes we went through as we actively worked toward a dream. It is a primer for other people who want to save a lot of money in a relatively short period of time for a specific project. It is for people who aren’t afraid of change.
It is a book about using money as a means to an end, not an end itself, and how breaking free of the control of advertisers and peer pressure will give you the freedom to live in a way you never thought possible.
In short, it is the first part of our story, and I think it is the most powerful piece. It is the foundation upon which everything else rests.
If you have the time I’d love to hear your feedback on your biggest challenges to saving money (don’t worry - it is anonymous).
Click here to take a 6-question survey.
For those of you who committed to a writing project along with me this month, how are you doing? Even if Resistance has made an appearance - and I’m betting that little creep has - you can brush yourself off and start again.
What kind of Resistance Ass did you kick this past week?
About Betsy
Hey, guess what? I’ve just launched an addition to my ADD Coaching - it’s Brain-Training for ADD and ADD-ish working moms. Well, you’re female, so I can give you tips!
Also, as a writer I can say that there are some books that write themselves and there are some that are so important that you may have to whine and cry your way through them. At least I had to with the one coming out in September! I threw many tantrums and soon I learned that throwing a tantrum was like a warm-up and a refocusing technique - a way to release pent-up anxiety.
So throw your tantrums with my blessing!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Margit, a tantrum as a path to creativity? You are brilliant! Since I write at 6 am, though, I might have to make them whisper tantrums just to keep the peace of my marriage.
Can’t wait to see your new book when it comes out!
Betsy, it sounds like a fabulous story and one that I can’t wait to read. I’m assuming you’ve read “the war of art”? If not, you must. It is all about your little friend Resistence. Good luck!
Resistance is not my friend!!! (she said, resistantly)
Thanks for the suggestion, Kim. I’ll check it out. (and btw, congrats on the decision to sell your house before taking off. I know it wasn’t easy, but when it is right for you, you know it is right. We “get” you even though your family is probably telling you that you’re nuts!)
Oh yeah baaaby! I am full-on relating to this! That whole part about the first 10K words being crap . . . that may be true (but I doubt it); or it may just be Resistance rearing its ugly head, no? Resistance loves to get you thinking, “Why bother; this stuff is shit!”
As I mentioned in my email, I had a few days where I was really about to pack it in based on that little voice in my head’s critiques. Unfortunately, in my case it all might be absolutely true! But it doesn’t matter. I’ve gotten to the point that I don’t care if it is crap or if anyone ever reads it — I simply have to write it.
As Kim mentioned, its all there in The War of Art. that guy really nails it! (You had recommended Pressfield’s more recent book Do The Work; have you read War of Art as well?)
I’m glad the Pomodoro Technique is working out for you! I think its genius is its simplicity. Pomodoro’s web page should have the heading, “So Simple Even Tranque Can Do It! “Me use kitchen timer. Me write long time. Ug.”
Does looking at the word count inspire you . . . or freak you out? lol!!! I wish I hadn’t looked! ‘Cause it is freaking me out! lol! I never had really paid attention to word-count until reading your post; I focused on the number of pages — which really makes no sense as that will change drastically depending on the final format’s layout and configuration. I just had to sit back and say to myself, “Damn! Am I really the kind of guy that could actually sit down and string that many words together?” Well I guess I am. A true testament to the effectiveness of Pomodoro Technique!
I’ll put my 2 cents worth in on your survey.
Congrats on 30K words! (Here’s to the next 100K or so!)
Be Present. Expect Success. Live with Passion!
T
Oh, Tranque. Some days I think writing is an unselfish act, sharing a piece of myself with the world. And then other days, I think it is the most selfish thing in the world to be so absorbed with myself and want to share it with the world. Depends on how the writing is going as to which one comes up.
The 10k is something that went in the trash when I decided to take a different tactic with the message of the book, one that is a little more kick-ass than my usual style of writing. One that is actually closer to my personality. So the kick-ass writer that is emerging made me throw that wimpy 10K stuff away. 
I don’t get too caught up in the word count, just use it to track my progress. I can see where someone might, though, and if you are one of those people STOP CHECKING.
I’ll check out the War of Art next, and if you are even slightly thinking about trashing your book please send it to me first. I’ll just slap another name on the cover and sell it and make a million bucks. Maybe the name “Bank Fuller” in anticipation of how much my account will swell, or “Crank Fooler” to show that I’m an imposter.
(Seriously, if you want an early reader I’d be happy to help out if you’d return the favor).
Betsy, if your writing is anything like your blogs, it’ll be terrific
When I was writing, I had publisher deadlines so that kinda pushed me to find the time to continue, even when I didn’t feel like it. I remember being mentally drained (usually around the ‘umpteenth draft’) but once the book was done, I felt much lighter. I’m not sure if you have deadlines but, if you don’t, try and enjoy the writing and take your time. I think I “over-wrote” because I don’t really have a desire to write any more books and I’m not sure if it will come back (but that’s okay with me).
Ah, you’re so sweet, Joanna. I do have self-imposed deadlines that I shared with Warren, so now they are written in stone.
I’m a big fan of the pomodoro technique too. After using it for many months, I’ve extended the time from 25m to 50m. I find that a lot more useful. 25m was useful to get used to focusing for short periods, but after a while I was working on things that needed my attention for a longer period so I just doubled the pomodoro. Give it a try too.
Interesting perspective, AE Thanh. What I’ve been doing instead is breaking down my tasks into 25-minute segments instead of bigger projects. I may spend 4 Pomodoro sessions writing a chapter of the book, or 1 Pomodoro spell/grammar checking. I find the little break in between refreshing, though I will try your suggestion of a longer Pomodoro and see how it works. I think it would work better for me in terms of website maintenance/promotion types of activities than it would with the writing. I’ll let you know how it goes - thanks!
Loved this blog and cannot wait for your book, Betsy! (Lack of) money is the one issue that seems to be my cross to bear in this life…it comes in, and poof, it’s gone…there’s always some medical emergency or unexpected car repair or state auto registration, or…you get my drift. Admittedly, I also LOVE to eat well, whether it’s eating out or cooking wonderful meals from scratch (and feeding a 250 lb., 17 year old!)
What’d I do this week to kick ass on resistance? Well, I’m dealing with painful, chronic knee pain, but also committing to a new workout regime. Despite having my knee on ice nearly all day on Saturday, I worked out 3x in the last week (working around my knee, but still getting a great sweat going). It’s really hard, but I want to be active and healthy (as I speed into “50″), I cannot just sit on the couch and let this knee situation deteriorate.
Keep up the writing - just think about your fans who will benefit from what your experience and what you have to share. You’ve inspired me so much already, and in large part to you and Warren, I’ve committed myself to a life of fun and playfulness, not just the serious drudgery of working, paying bills, and continually buying more material goods.
Alisa, working out around an injury is a great way to kick some Resistance Ass! I mean, you can easily opt out of working out with an injury guilt-free, yet you chose to do it anyway. Good for you!
“I’ve committed myself to a life of fun and playfulness.” This might be my favorite quote of the day. You’ll see in an upcoming interview I conducted with Erica Bauermeister that we riff on the phrase “growing down” and the importance of play as adults. I love where you are going with this!
I’ve heard of a similar set up with FlyLady - 15 minutes at a time. The idea is solid, though my discipline is still very weak. But I’ve recently come up with a few projects that seems both exciting in potential and doable, so I guess the next step for me will be finding someone to hold me accountable (man, oh man do I need that)
Congratulations on your hard work!
Andrea, I think the secret to success is learning to hold ourselves accountable. Which is why it is so damn hard!
Sigh. You’re probably right…
My Scottish friend is dying to know which pub you tried the haggis in. We tried it in Inverness. My hubby liked it. I had one bite and stayed with my mushy peas. I miss mushy peas.
Hi, Junebug. I tried haggis in Glasgow, and I can’t remember the name of the pub. You are alone in your love of mushy peas. I’ll probably never eat them again once we leave the UK.
I CAN’T wait to hear all about your book and the conquering of resistance when you are here. Go Betsy!!!