And I wish you a Happy Tuesday on this 11th day of June, 2013. Where has the time gone? I feel it fleeing…do you? I was literally behind schedule by 8:30 in the morning yesterday. That’s hard to do but I managed to pull it off. As a result, my writing was rushed by noon….but then I had a talk with myself.
What did I talk about? I pointed out to my rushed self that writing is a craft and it should be treated as such. Simply writing quickly to meet some self-imposed deadline is to cheat those who would read my work. It is giving 50% in order to squeeze in under the publishing deadline and that kind of action is beneath me and should be beneath you.
I have an article coming out Wednesday talking about this very subject. We writers are artists of the word, and as such we need to treat our craft with respect, and rushing through a piece simply to finish is a disservice.
I say that with all due respect to all writers out there. If we are not giving it our very best effort then we are short-changing ourselves and our readers….I refuse to do that!
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Charles Caleb Colton (1780 – 1832), Lacon, 1820
I think that pretty much sums up what I was trying to say earlier.
TIP OF THE DAY
Be patient with yourself and your progress, but write as if there was no tomorrow.
SITE OF THE DAY
The Purdue Online Writing Lab (O.W.L.) is kind of an interesting site that I just stumbled upon. You can find it here. It actually has some very helpful links for professional writers, teachers of writing and more.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
You know how this works. You look at the picture and then open up your minds and imaginations and let the words flow on paper. Pretty simple, huh?
BOOK OF THE DAY
Stephen King’s memoir on writing….”On Writing”….is a great read and look inside the creative process. Read about it here.
ADIOS UNTIL TOMORROW
Or as my friend Joe says, Aloha! I hope you have a productive and creative day. Remember to give it your best and never settle for less.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
I can’t tell you how many personal blogs I read that have typos and otherwise less than stunning writing, and I keep thinking “well how are they ever going to advance their writing career with all those mistakes. I’m not even talking the one word you accidentally overlook but when you can’t understand a post because of the spelling or wording… Eek. As I tu
I’m with you, Cyndi! I don’t understand how someone can’t have pride in their work….life is a mystery to me sometimes. 🙂
Yes there are a lot of blogs I read with typos and I will slap myself on the head when I find a typo in my own writing. But I approach my blogging as if I am getting paid $500 to post because one day it will be a reality. 🙂 that is also why I post less often – I really want to put time and effort into those posts. And if there are typos in this comment, it’s because I typing from my phone as we are driving haha
And bless you for taking your writing seriously…now stop typing and driving. LOL I want you safe and sound.
Oh Bill couldn’t agree with you more and seriously why I stopped writing on the weekends to at least not feel like I was shot changing myself and my readers, too. So, you are completely right my friend.
Janine, your commitment shows in your writing. Just one reason why I follow you. 🙂
Thank you–I am feeling the same way about my reading these days–I am reading with more thought and more slowly–and a little less these days–I think that helps me slow down in general
Excellent, Audrey. As far as I’m concerned, your writing is the mark of commitment.
Giving it your best is crucial, but it is difficult to find the balance between quality work and perfectionism! Life is hard.
Lizzy, for me, life is as hard as I make it. 🙂 Words from a pilgrim.
True that, BillyBaby!
Lizzy, you always make me smile. 🙂
I’ve seen that OWL writing lab before and it is a good resource! 🙂
Thank you Lurana! I had never heard of it until recently but I do like it.
I feel the same. Quite a few times I’ve rushed through a piece just to have it done on time. Then I feel guilty because I know I haven’t done my best or, if I have already published it, I go back and re-edit or, sometimes, re-write the whole things. Some things just can’t be rushed.
I’ve had several people recommend ‘On Writing’ to me, so I’ve asked the local library it they could order it in for me. So I am waiting patiently.
Phoenix, I’m trying to picture you waiting patiently. LOL Good luck my friend. LOL As for rushing on pieces, I recently caught myself doing it and I was almost ashamed of myself.
Self imposed deadlines….YUP! I know all about those. That’s why I stopped writing on my personal blog every day. I didn’t want to have to write something for the sake of writing just so that I could have a blog post every day. I don’t agree with that type of blogging – but each to their own. I agree with you though, about writing for our readers and giving them our very best. What a great way to look at writing and blogging! So obvious, but sometimes I miss that. Superb post my friend, thank you!
Awww, thanks Mel. I will be cutting back drastically on HP in another few weeks, and I may have to post my blog three days a week instead of five. I have too much to do and I find myself hurrying too much….and that will lead to inferior work. 🙂
As you know, Bill, I’m currently involved in the 30/30 Challenge. Someone suggested that I write throwaway posts–no need to agonize over any of them. I thought to myself, I can ‘t do that. I never think about my offspring as throwaway kids. Similarly, I could never create something without giving it my best. And THROW it away? Unthinkable!
Thanks for reinforcing an important point with this post, my friend! Aloha! : )
(Thanks for the honorable mention, Bill!)
Joe
Joe, as you know, I did the 30/30 and then went crazy and extended it a year….LOL And I can honestly say there were only two times when I rushed and did a post just for the sake of doing one….and I still feel like I cheated my readers by doing that. 🙂
Thanks buddy and good luck with your challenge.
Aloha,
bill
Perfection ought to be in every work a man performs. Writing is equally challenging when we are going out to inspire people for stuff.
I try to make sense out of my blogs/writing and proof read it before hitting publish….some maybe rough days when mistakes are still in galore.
Ruchira, I strive for perfection but often fall short. 🙂 I don’t know any other way my friend.