Continued from page 1
Eventually, I began to receive feedback on how people loved what I wrote, liked my ideas, and bypassed
occasional grammar error. My name even found its place in a few local newspapers including Washington Post. The positive feedback was far bigger than "you need to do better" messages. They began with three pats to one scolding. Then moved to six pats to one. Then 30 pats to 1.
And most amazing part -- I was happier than ever. You could find me starting my weekend day writing at McDonalds (the only place open at 6 am), by 10 at bookstore, by 3 library, by 6 returning home and satisfied. There were bum times on park benches especially in spring, museums and shopping malls when weather was nasty. At my frequent stops, employees or regulars stopped and asked what I was working on and they willingly share their thoughts and ideas on topic. Some agreed, some didn't, but magic was, my writing became richer because of them, because of environmental switches.
My writing kept improving and what I produced tripled. Occasionally I would read something I previously wrote and sat numb, not believing, "I wrote, that!" My inner critic even stopped punching.
Now my pat-to-grammar-email ratio doesn't matter. I know there’s more to learn yet I'm so glad my writing is out in public eye. I write every chance I can and make a space for it in my life. Topics don't matter nor does first quality matter. Just as long as it’s on a page somewhere and safe.
A little while back, I began outlining (Mind Maps) before writing. Previously outlining wasn't my thing. I've also learned that if there I don't have a certain number of points, I don't begin to write. Yet even if I don't have enough to begin writing with, my mind is still tumbling and building and something better always appears -- Something that couldn't appear without tossing first.
Over years, my penmanship has gone from good to worse. What I have also realized is that my first draft is sometimes just me jumping and trying to find my way around on topic. Almost like a maze. Afterwards, I highlight good and usually find there is more than one topic to go with.
My advice to people who desire to write -- follow your heart. Trust that it will lead you to right path. Trust today’s writing will always look different tomorrow and your writing will always improve and evolve more you write. Not by any book you read, writing conference you attend, best lessons are learned... It is by writing regularly.
One of my favorite quotes is, "Big things come from smallest actions." The light will come after you have completed many small actions. The same as I did and many who preceded me, there is light available in tunnel and you will see changes within yourself that will transfer onto pages. Writing will always be an evolving process, even after Pulitzer.
Worry about grammar until its time, not before. If you learn one writing tip a week and work it into your writing all week, it can't help but improve because that’s 52 improvements a year.
You don't need a lot, one word will do. For one year I wrote 394 articles from one word -- honor. Every time I completed one article word was complete, another appeared. If I had thought I could write this many articles from one word before this experience, I would laugh at you. Eventually I called a truce. It was amazing to watch my bar as it kept getting higher. An experience that fuels my beliefs today, Whenever I began to write another "honor" story I was transitioned to age seven watching my Dad pitch ball against steel milk bottles, feeling like I just won 1st prize teddy bear. Yes, biggest one on top shelf, one that looks twice my size.
At times thoughts were firing so rapidly it forced me to stop what I was doing and write what I could. Many times I had to pull off road and get it down.
Even today there are times when my writing doesn't make sense but I know now that I can't get to next point until I get rid of this stuff first. Like many writers, we all have a few boxes or stacks of these.
For everyone who feels a pull to write but hasn't written, let me quote Nike: "just do it." Let all inhibitions go, they are nonsense until after all editing. Let commas fall where they may. Write without any attachment to outcome. That comes later.
It took time for my writing to turn into a hundred thousand dollar business. Even a year ago, I wouldn't have thought it possible and would have just laughed at thought. I am happier than ever. No crying, just writing. No kicking shoes. No more doubting of my possibilities (okay, some but very small). Be free, write and let it lead you wherever it needs to go.
Nothing you or I write will ever be lost. Fight for your writer’s life, it’s worth battle. Especially don't let anyone "should" all over you.
(c) Copyright Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.
