Welcome back to the third full week of February in the year 2014. I am rested; I am frisky; I even had snow a week ago which pleased me endlessly; in other words, I am ready to write.
In fact, I have so much to do this week that I just made an executive decision: this is going to be a short post.
First a quotation.
QUOTATION OF THE DAY
Eleanor Roosevelt
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
I have heard this often; I don’t have the time to write every single day.
Well, of course, that is just so much nonsense. The correct statement would be: I don’t make the time to write every single day.
If you are serious about your writing then writing will become a priority in your life. Period! As a priority, it will be allotted time each day. Even if it is just a half hour daily, writing needs to be done.
Can I be clearer than that?
TIP OF THE DAY
Stop and reflect over a normal week. When can you squeeze in an hour of writing? Late at night before bedtime? Early in the morning before the kids get out of bed? Find a time that works and then commit to writing at that time, daily, for one week. At the end of the week adjust accordingly; the only adjustment you are not allowed to make is to quit writing.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
Here is your picture of the day. I think this is a new one; obviously my mind is on gardening of late, and I’m wondering what to do with the room we have left out back.
CONTEST OF THE DAY
The Innovative Short Fiction Contest is taking submissions now through March 15th. Submissions can be 7,500 words or less and the entry fee is $15. You can read all about it here.
WRITER OF THE DAY
If you don’t know Ann then go meet here now at her HubPages page; she resides there under the profile name of Annart….find her here….she really is a very good online friend of mine and a very nice lady.
THAT’S IT FOR TODAY
Yes, I’ll be back Thursday. I’m debating how much longer I want to do this blog. I don’t know that it serves a purpose. I really don’t have that many followers and I’m not sure these tips and suggested sites are used or needed. Let me know your thoughts and I’ll talk atcha again on Thursday.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Same here, I have to get to writing today and have two little people off all week long for Winter Break. Seriously, I see this being a slow week for sure and having had snow days each week too hasn’t helped. Wishing you a great day and now off to work for me with writing and such! 🙂
Thanks Janine! Good luck with your day my friend.
I enjoy this blog and I do check out the links. I also read all of your hubs. It seems you have some priority choices to make. I’ve learned to cut out what doesn’t add to the big picture so I don’t waste time. I’m cutting back on some of the sites I subscribed to during my learning period because they are no longer part of my plan. However, I have new sites to seek that fit in with my niche so I can create a presence where it’ll benefit my business. As David Bowie says, “ch-ch-ch-changes”!
Time is running out, Sha. I have books that need to be written. It is the only way for me to make the money I want to make so Bev and I can have our mini-farm and learning center….so yes, changes are a’comin’….thank you so much for your friendship.
Once again some useful tips, Bill
Waking up early would be ideal before the routine kicks in…a lovely thought and I might just *try* to implement it tomorrow (fingers crossed)
Even if you are influencing even a handful Bill…it matters cause this chain of positivity will be carried fwd. Keep it coming Bill 🙂
Thank you Ruchira. I hope that waking up early thing works, and I appreciate your kind support.
HI Bill, I would certainly miss this blog if you stopped writing it.
As I was reading this blog this week, I thought about what Yoda told young Luke Skywalker. He said,”Try? there is no try, there is only do or do not.”
That’s the way I look at my writing. Everyone has the same number of hours in a day. We choose how we spend our hours. We either make writing a priority, or we don’t.
I love the quote, Donna, and thank you for the encouragement and vote of confidence on this blog.
Hi Bill, you know I’ll read anything you write. I enjoy your style. But, I understand what it takes to keep things on a priority basis. This blog serves many, including me. I enjoy the quotes and the tips. But, if you are the kind of person who likes beginnings, middles, and ends, then (I know for me) it is a challenge to do things that are ongoing. The information on this blog is valuable, so I wouldn’t want to see this blog deleted. Perhaps, write a final chapter and keep the blog as a reference. I’ve heard that some people are combining all of their blogs into a single eBook. It’s a thought. In the end, Bill anything that takes time away from you getting that novel done is keeping me from reading it sooner. If you’re writing it… I’m reading it. Enjoy your day, good friend. 🙂
Marlene, you are a doll in the kindest sense of the word. Thank you! I just have to decide what to do with my time that will serve the highest purpose…the novel is number one…then the next…and the next…if I have time to do this blog plus write those novels then I will do that.
Bill,
This blog is such a gift to all of us. It really is a fantastic idea and I enjoy gaining new perspectives and inspiration. However, like every good minimalist knows, you do need to cut away all of the fat in order to focus on the main thing. Time is your greatest commodity.
What if you offered up chances to guest post? I would be very interested in guest posting for you. Maybe offer it up to the HubPages community. The author of the post could get a link back to their HubPages profile. It would be a great way to meet some great hubbers.
-Jen (Availiasvison)
Jen, that is such a wonderful idea and I’m very appreciative of your kind words. Let me think about it and in the meantime get ready to do a guest post. 🙂
Please Bill don’t do this. Are you preparing us for an excuse now :”if I have time to do this…” None of us have more than 24 hours a day available, we can’t make any extra time ” – you’re teaching us to prioritize time we have; thus we ” take” time ” here and now ” . . .
Ahh, Michael, you have hit the crux of the matter. Indeed, take time here and now. 🙂 I’m sorry my friend; I won’t say it again. 🙂 Thank you as always for the visit and blessings today, tomorrow and always.
bill
The only word missing in your title is : Michael, ….
Writing isn’t anymore issue for me: I’m writing everyday, here and there, as for now I’m the only one reading it , . . trying to figure out, how to ” like ” what I write ; while getting myself into dilemma what next…
Sayonara
Yes, Michael, I especially relate to your phrase “trying to figure out how to like what I write”….I am the same. Never quite satisfied. It is a curse, yes? 🙂
Well I for one feel lost if I don’t get my daily dose of Bill’s writing, lol. I love this site because it offers such useful tips and you go about it in a way that people can relate to. I think the guest post idea is a good one. Whatever you decide to do Bill, you know I’ll follow wherever your writing goes 🙂
Mel, that means a lot to me. Thank you my dear. I hope the heat is a bit better there and you can experience winter soon. Carry on and have a wonderful day.
Hi Bill! I thought I responded to this but maybe not–I find that practicing singing and practicing writing are similar for me–meditative and necessary!
Well Audrey, even when you are not commenting you are profound. 🙂 Thank you!
Bill – I love getting your e-mails twice weekly. I sometimes save them if I don’t have time to read them right away, which is what I did with this one. I use some of the writing prompts. The links and information are great! If you have the time and interest, I’d love to see them continue.
Thank you Donna! I’m sure for the foreseeable future they will continue.
This prompt pictures says so much and one can go several different ways in writing about it. I admire your determination and focus on writing, you inspire us!
Thank you again Dianna! You are doing wonders for my ego this morning. 🙂 Have a great weekend.
I know I’m really late getting to this page of yours but just wanted to thank you for mentioning me! Sorry I didn’t realise earlier. I’m not very good at getting round to all these other sites which ‘dovetail’ into hubpages, though I do know of course that you have several of your own. Thanks again, bill! Ann
Ann, you are never late getting here. We waited for you, because everyone knows the party doesn’t really start until Ann appears. 🙂 Thanks dear friend.