by Molly Jo Realy (@MollyJoRealy)

Ten Habits of a Slightly Unsuccessful Writer
(Or, How to Write When You Don’t Take it Too Seriously)

I may or may not have skin in this game …

Let’s just agree we’re all experts, one way or another, and go to our separate book corners, drink a cup of tea, and leave it at that.

~#~

Ten Habits of a Slightly Unsuccessful Author:

1. Isolate yourself: I can’t express this enough. Writers are lonely, crazy beings with no people skills whatsoever. We have no understanding of human nature, and say things we can’t edit. We most certainly will not learn anything by holding unnecessary conversations, especially with other writers. If we must socialize, we do so in small groups, and in small doses.

2. Drink copious amounts of coffee: Look at my face. This is serious stuff. From noon to 3pm, drink gallons of decaf. At 6pm, drink another cup of espresso for good measure. Sleep two hours. Wake up and start all over. Your brain will thank you for it, even if your body doesn’t. If you must drink other than coffee, add something to it. Like fermented grapes.

3. Write, don’t read: I can’t believe how often the “experts” say we need to read. Who has time for that? Listen, Bob, if I’m reading, I’m not writing. You get me? I don’t have time to pay attention to someone else’s works. It’s imperative I put your own words on paper, in whatever fashion I can. There’s nothing to learn by reading classics or books within my genre that someone else has already written. Who cares about their writing style? Or supporting my friends already in print? If I must read, I choose to read outside my genre, and read things that will allow my mind to wander as my eyes skim the pages.

4. Don’t diversify your creativity: It’s best to focus on our writing and master it completely. Train our discipline. Give up photography, scrapbooking, creative journaling and the like. Other people have multiple interests, but that’s not us. We are writers. So write. And, only write. If we must express creativity in other ways, don’t let others know about it. Don’t invest in it. And never share it on Instagram.

5. Write only what we know: We stay away from fantastical ideas, and topics we’re unfamiliar with. Research? Who has time for research? World-building? That’s too complicated. If we must write new material, use nonsensical words and settings and make it too complicated for others to understand. They think we’re geniuses when we confuse them.

6. Write when the muse hits: Don’t worry about setting a time to write every day. Writer’s block? That’s for other writers, the ones who aren’t as focused. Because whenever you sit down, the words always flow without stopping. Sure, they’re not always cohesive. But they’re there, and that’s the important part. If you must write on a schedule, make sure to have multiple journals and lists available so you can jot a thousand grocery items and ten ways to fix the house as these thoughts will invariably demand your attention.

7. Don’t feed your muse: Stay away from inspirational movies and music. Don’t play with your food, enjoy nature walks, or travel. These will only inspire you in other ways and thus confuse your writing. If you must feed the muse, don’t enjoy the arts or have new experiences. This will only deter you from your true calling of being a writer.

8. Never, ever continue writing unless what you’ve already written is perfect: Brain-dumping and first drafts are myths and will not help you clear your head. Definitely do not use place-filler text [“Write Something Here About Rain’s past relationship with Cheryl and have him hint at why he no longer trusts Penny Jo”]. If you must write imperfectly and continuously, do not revisit those pages. They will only depress you and keep you from getting to the true heart of your story.

9. Find an excusable distraction: Phone app games are great for this. I’m the heroine of word-based puzzles, and will gladly help you reach that level you’ve been striving for over the last week. It’s the least I can do for my fellow reading humans.

10. Quit. Restart. Quit again. Review. Draft. Polish. Toss. Redo … You get the picture. Whoever first wrote, “Progress, not perfection” was not a very good writer.

TELL ME MORE:
What tips and habits do you cultivate for your craft?

Have you added journals@mollyjorealy.com to your address book? Consider this your invitation. Oooh, and also, please resubscribe here. Seriously. Don’t just enter your name and email and leave it at that. You can pick your lists! Choose one, two, or all three: Do you want journal entries (blog posts) which promise encouragement at least every other week? Perhaps you prefer monthly newsletters which give a variety sample of what’s going on in my world (including recipes, bookish recommendations, personal antics, and much more). Maybe you’d like just writing/speaking updates? That last one, I’ll be honest, I don’t send much. Why? Because I only have four on that sublist, and they receive everything else too. And I like sharing with everyone. So if I get a good number that subscribe only to the writerly updates, I’ll start sending that out as well. If not, well, it won’t remain an option and I’ll just update y’all through the journals and newsletters, how’s that?

Come alive, stay wild, and always, savor the journey,
~M. 

A Southern hippiechick at heart, Molly Jo Realy is author of the romantic location mystery novel, NOLA, and creator of the Book Builder Workbook. Also an editor and coach, she encourages people to embrace their unique talents to share their stories as only they can. Addicted to God, cats, tea, planners, and pens, in no particular order. Follow her on X (Twitter), Instagram and join her Facebook Community Mojo Swarm for more fun!

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“Eight Habits of a Slightly Unsuccessful Writer” was originally posted at my previous website, FranklyMyDearMojo, on May 26, 2019.
It was been updated for this post.