Following Japan’s tsunami and after seeing photo after photo of how so many people and families were prepared for emergencies, I decided to figure out ways my family could be prepared in the event of a disaster. Granted in New Hampshire, we’re pretty far from any potential action, but it comes down to this: you just never know when a tsunami is going to hit, isn’t it better to be ready? In one corner of our mudroom there are now tarps, water containers, tools, hats, gloves, ponchos and other items we might need if we needed to leave quickly. 
Along with these items, I’ve put a few survival books (some I had, some I’ve ordered) in the same area. These books tell you how to be prepared and how to survive after either a man made or a natural catastrophe. Hopefully we’ll never have to use this equipment and it will stay forever on our shelves, but if we do, it’s nice to know that it’s there.
In a chapter from Preparedness Now! By Aton Edwards, he talks about how important it is to be in good physical shape. During an emergency it will be those who can move and get out, those not hampered by medical illnesses caused by obesity or disease who will be able to survive. To this end, he strongly recommends a daily regime of exercise that includes walking/running/cycling and strength training. It’s a matter of being strong enough to stay alive.
Which brings me to my post today – can’t the same be said of writers? Those who sit and daydream their way to a published book, rarely survive in a writer’s world. But those who work at it every day, (and I mean Every. Single. Day.) the ones who critically read others’ works analyzing them for skill and structure, the ones who put their work out, opening it up to critique from others so that they can see a different perspective – those are the ones who will rise above the rest and survive in the world of publication.
Same thing goes for the tools we need to survive – the technology. I can’t tell you how many writers I’ve come across who know nothing of the internet and how with a little time, they can get more information and more self-marketing done by them selves than if they paid lots of money to an agency. Again, it’s survival of the fittest baby. Exercise that brain of yours, work at being in shape and learn about new tools. It’s what makes the difference.
Times have changed. The publication world, just like the real world is not as reliable or tame as maybe we once thought. Shouldn’t you as a writer, exercise your mind and your skills everyday in order to ensure your own self-survival?
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Wendy Thomas is an award winning journalist, columnist, and blogger who believes that taking challenges in life will always lead to goodness. She is the mother of 6 funny and creative kids and it is her goal to teach them through stories and lessons.
Wendy’s current project involves writing about her family’s experiences with chickens (yes, chickens).
