For the Conscious Writer
How do they do it? Writers, actors, painters? How do they create so many works of art? They show up. There are days when they are inside out and upside down but they show up. Not 100 percent bright eyed and bushy tailed. Not with motivation.
They show up for their dreams, they show with their discipline, and they show up keeping that commitment they made with themselves. That’s how they do it.
I’m sure quitting crosses their minds from time to time. I’m sure some of them even walk away for a moment and in that very moment maybe they do quit but the truth is, they don’t. Successful writers come back to the page and finish what they started.
There’s always a million other things to do.
There’s always time for a nap or cleaning or even an extra hour at the gym. If there is anything I’ve learned it’s that there is never enough time to write. It’s not just the clock, it’s the amount of energy, the amount of focus and mental stamina. It’s ok to spend time taking care of your priorities but when it’s time to write, it’s important to show up.
There’s not a huge expectation here. It’s just show up and write everyday. You don’t have to want to. You just have to do it. One more scene. One more detail about your character, one more juicy tidbit about your world. There’s no need to be enthusiastic or energetic. The page could care less about your mood or your energy. The characters just need you to be there, giving them a reason to come to life.
A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”
— Richard Bach
Jayne.press 
Love this, very important to remember to not give up on writing 🙂
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Yup, that’s right. Keep at it.
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“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”
In jiu-jitsu, we have a similar saying, and that’s: A black belt is just a white belt who didn’t quit.
I see the similarities because I’ve been practising the sport for six years, and am only still a blue belt. Those who’ve attained their black belts do so in an average of ten to twelve years, and that’s only when you get ‘competent’. There’s a whole new level of mastery beyond that.
Why that saying resonates with me is because it keeps me focused on the work and reminds me that no matter how much I do something, there are always new levels to attain. Thanks for this post!
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Ohh i like the comparison you made. I have always found jiu-jitsu to be so interesting. I think it’s pretty cool you’re a blue belt too. Glad to see you’re sticking at both and learning from both. It’s crazy how so many things can be connected.
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“The characters just need you to be there, giving them a reason to come to life.”
Loved this line!
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😀 I’m so glad you loved it. Yay 👏 🙌
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i cant call myself a writer just yet, but i totally agree on this. writing is just a hobby i want to improve on and once in a while i needed some rest but i made sure to come back to it and continue writing.
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Writing as a hobby totally makes you a writer. lol You show up more than others which also makes you a writer. so there’s that. I’m glad you returned to it. Writing makes my life significantly better.
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