When it’s Good, it’s REALLY Good (Make a Note of it)

You know the feeling, your fingers sail across the keyboard, the ideas are flowing you even tossing in a few $5 words just for fun (and because you remember what they mean). There is no feeling like it. That euphoria is why we write. Having once been a web designer and event planner I can equate it to when your code is flowing, or when the event you plan comes together smoothly. It is the spark or the passion that excites us when we are using our skills and talents do to something we love.

Make note of these times. Jot them down on your calendar, just a little star or AWD for “AWESOME WRITING DAY”. Write until you can write no more then savor the progress. Don’t judge, don’t critique. There will be plenty of time for that later. Relish the energy that flowed through you. Respect the words. If it works for you shout it from the tree tops.

• ROAR! I met my word count for the day!
• Yippee! I kicked ass at the keyboard!
• Hell-to-the YES! The words were flowing today.

Why, is this personal love fest so important? Because (and no doubt you already know this), it’s not always that easy. I’d go so far as to say it is RARELY that easy. I know I’ve had more than a few days when I’ve had to practically duct tape myself to the chair and super glue my fingers to they keyboard. I’m here today to remind you to savor the good times. When the well feels dry. Search your calendar for one of the good days. Close your eyes and think back to that time when you and words were on good terms.

Will this magically make the words flow, your fingers fly, your brain a font of ideas? Maybe, maybe not, but one thing it does do is derail negative thoughts. I’m not even going to site examples here. We all know what they are and if you are having a good or even an average day, I don’t want to knock you off your game.

When you’re having a day that is not exactly over flowing with rainbows and unicorn farts, sometimes just getting back to neutral is all you need to get back to being productive. Not every day is going to be your BEST DAY EVAH! The lows make the highs higher and the highs make the lows worth it.

Getting published is the ultimate goal for most writers, but to get there, it’s necessary to celebrate the little wins along the way. If you don’t, the road to success becomes overwhelming.

Lee Laughlin is a writer, wife, and mom, frequently all of those things at once. She blogs at Livefearlesslee.com. Her words have appeared in a broad range of publications from community newspapers to the Boston Globe.