Inspiration; It’s not all that.

Posted in Writing by JustineWinter

From several observations, I know how much we wish, hope and strive to find inspiration to help us in our writing. How often do you stare at a blank page or screen begging for something to jump out at you and reignite your passion for words? When we’re stuck, we search the web. Check out pinterest. Listen to music. Explore the local coffee shop as though we’re expecting to step into a new dimension where the writing bug is abundant. We’re desperate for anything that can help give us a fresh perspective, a renewed vigor for our love child.

It’s so strange that autumn is so beautiful; yet everything is dying.
William Shakespeare

However, relying on inspiration to write, and using its absence as an excuse not to, has only one end goal.

Failure.

If you rely on that often-hidden muse, you’ll have no productivity and that novel you’ve been desperate to write will remain as an unfinished document gathering dust. Despite the stigma that this is a hobby, if you’re truly serious about your career, then writing is a business. You have to treat it like one. And that means arranging a schedule like every other businessperson. Doesn’t matter that you’re working from home, or paying yourself. If you want to be a success, you have to be disciplined. If you decide you don’t want to write today, then you won’t get paid. It’s simple maths. 1 – 1 = 0. Can you afford to live like this?

Why let something as fallible as inspiration rule over whether you make a career of this or not? It’s cliched and boring to hear that the more you write the better, and easier, it becomes, but it’s true. The same with any muscle in the body, if you work at it, you’re going to become stronger. Finding motivation in art, music, nature, books, online etc. is great, but don’t give it so much credence that without it you’re crippled. It’s a bonus, not a necessity.

Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.
Louis L’Amour

13Jul2014

Putting Action Into Dreams

Posted in Writing by JustineWinter

Set your goals high, and don’t stop until you get there.
– Bo Jackson

Do you lie in bed at night, staring at the ceiling while you imagine the life you desperately want? There’s no shame in admitting you do, because I always do. Let’s face it, I bet you’ve thought about winning the lottery more than once. And that’s okay, because dreams are healthy.

But, I want to talk about going another step further than dreams; Goals. Recently, I realised just how many goals I actually have, and without tangible proof they were just a flying fancy fluttering through my thoughts. What did I do?

This:

I created a Goals jar, and then filled it up with everything I want to achieve.

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Why?

Because I have every intention of achieving every single one no matter how long it takes to get there. Without something to look forward to, to strive towards, I float around wandering aimlessly. I need direction, I thrive when I’m busy working towards my newest idea. It gives me purpose, a reason to go on. However, I’m not saying it’s easy. But even with the knock backs, negativity, criticism, and judgement, I still have the goal that keeps me on track. I still believe that I’m capable of achieving it because I want it. It’s important to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I have massive aspirations; buy an Aston Martin DBS, pen a successful television series… But I’m willing to put in the time and effort it takes to get there because nobody else is going to do it for me.

I’ve seen my dream, I’ve created a goal, and now it’s time for me to achieve it.

I hope you chase yours too.

29Dec2013

Reflect And Renew Resolutions

Posted in Writing by JustineWinter

2013 was the year I vowed was for me, not because I depended upon luck, but because I promised myself to make things better. I was stuck in the shadows of my past as they tore away at me day by day. I was becoming hollow, a mere figment of the person I once was.

I wasn’t the type to create resolutions year upon year that I already knew I wouldn’t keep. Determination couldn’t succeed if belief and willpower wasn’t behind it. Why set yourself up for a fall?

I didn’t. I succeeded because I believed in myself to not give up, not this time. Being ambitious and determined didn’t make me naive, it made me dangerous.

A person with a dream and a goal was far more likely to succeed than somebody who didn’t.

Who was the fool now?

Like a Phoenix I rose from the ashes of my buried past, and made the year better.

I hadn’t set out to write my debut novel this year, but like a sequence of events everything clicked together. The pattern that formed soon after was what led me here. The secret?

Reading. Never underestimate the power of a good book. It led me to write mine, to create this blog, and most importantly to connect with others in the wonderful writing community.

While they may not be resolutions, I do have a plan for the writing year ahead:

January 1st will be the day I begin writing the sequel to my novel Nature’s Destiny. I’m super excited about extending the journey that begins in my debut, and I cannot wait to expand on the ideas I’ve had rolling around my mind for the past few months.
Nature’s Destiny will be published. I’m nearing the end of my editing process, and will soon be depending on my beta readers.

While I cannot promise to know exactly what will happen in the long-term future, I do know that I’ll make the most of it. Why? Because being optimistic has given me the better outlook on life. The time I wasted trapped in the past changed my perception. The clock continues to tick whether I want it to or not, only now there isn’t a minute I want to waste.

Writing has become the essence of my being, and I’ll make sure it has a place in my future.

2013 was my year. Will 2014 be yours?