First Things First

It's started to distress me how very, very fast I write and how very, very few words I get written some days. For awhile I tried not to think about it, then in classic over-analytical fashion I decided to really ponder it. And I think I've finally figured it out, thereby solving every writing word count problem you or I have ever had.

Ready?

You have to be focused to write your best.

I'm going to give you a minute to soak that in, hold your coffee cup a little tighter, and try to process. Haha.

I know, it sounds obvious. Of course we have to focus to do our best work! But sometimes I think that means forcing myself to sit down at the desk and...stare. And sometimes it does. Inspiration can be forced. But sometimes we're fighting against ourselves.

I know I can't focus on my writing when there's a pile of laundry in my field of vision. I know I can't focus on it when it's 5pm and I have no idea what I'm feeding my family for dinner.

Do the things you need to do first and your writing will actually benefit from it.

So what I've learned this week? Making writing schedules and goals is great. We really are capable of juggling everything God is calling us to do, with His help. But we are responsible for taking care of some details about our lives that have to be handled before we can fully immerse our brains in our stories and say what we need to say.

If you're having trouble with making progress today, get up. You heard me. I'm bucking the "sit down until it comes" trend just this once to tell you to unload your dishwasher. Finish that school assignment. Put away the laundry that's been on your sofa for over a week (oh wait, no one does that? hm...). THEN come back to your computer.

And then, if you're like me, I'm betting the words will flow.