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eBook Category: Education
eBook Description: Writers often lose touch with their creative centers as they pursue publication and promotion. The Writer's 12 Step Inspirational Program is based on the workshop we created for writers looking for tools to keep their writing goals on target and, more importantly, looking for ways to connect with their writer's souls. Isn't it time for you to begin your journey to inspiration?

eBook Publisher: Awe-Struck E-Books, Published: 2002
Fictionwise Release Date: June 2002

19 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: eReader (PDB) [41 KB] , ePub (EPUB) [115 KB] , Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [9 KB] , Portable Document Format (PDF) [581 KB] , Palm Doc (PDB) [7 KB] , Microsoft Reader (LIT) [154 KB] , Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [81 KB] , hiebook (KML) [105 KB] , Sony Reader (LRF) [181 KB] , iSilo (PDB) [6 KB] , Mobipocket (PRC) [8 KB] , Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [81 KB] , OEBFF Format (IMP) [18 KB]
Words: 2410
Reading time: 6-9 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Portable Document Format (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

"The outline looks so simple on paper you wonder why it will make any difference. But working through it unblocked a problem I had been struggling with for a year."--Joyce Henderson, co-author Strategies for Winning Science Fair Projects

Step 8.

What's holding you back? Think about what obstacles you must face in order to reach your goals. Be honest and don't worry about how to tackle the problems right now. We came up with a list of three major areas that might affect your progress:

1. Writing space. (Sharing space with others, disorganized desk/files, uncomfortable chair, etc.)

2. Overextending commitments. (Rarely saying no, stressed from attempting to many tasks, sacrificing writing time to finish other projects, etc.)

3. Negativity. (Energy-draining relationships, listening to or contributing to gossip, believing the criticism of others, etc.)

Write down two or three challenges you need to deal with in order to move forward in your writing.

Saying No...

Saying no to someone is saying yes to yourself. If you commit to a project that you don't really want to do, you're not honoring those who asked you to do it. How committed are you if you feel resentful for having to give up time, energy, effort? If your heart isn't in it, are you really going to do a good job with it? How is it helping someone else if you're only saying yes because you don't want to say no?

From a practical standpoint, I suggest a few things. First, you might try practicing. Get together with your friends and role play saying no. I role play situations with my daughter all the time; she's used our conversations to deal with peer problems at school. Have your friends wheedle and whine, too, so you can face down the "guilt factor."

Second, use "the question" technique. Like this: "What would I say if this wasn't my mother/spouse/child?" "What would I say if I didn't feel guilty/obligated?" "What would I say if I could answer w/o consequences?"

If the answer is no ... then follow through and say it.

Third, you might seek support from your friends/crit partners. Ask them for "you can do it" speeches or pats on the backs after you've done the deed. This is not the same thing as asking someone else, "Do you think I should say no?" You don't want a survey on whether or not you made the correct choice.

Fourth, when you honor and respect those things important to you, so will others. Creating and sticking to boundaries is the same thing as saying no w/o having to say it. For example, create a few hours in the day that are yours. Make sure everyone knows you own that time. Don't let anyone or anything infringe on it. Soon, people won't even bother asking you to do something during that time because they already know the answer.

When the world doesn't fall apart, people don't hate you, and the sun still shines the next morning, you'll realize the empowering force of saying no (or, gasp, changing your mind). Remember, the choices are yours. If you're over-committed, stressed, giving up writing time to do things for other people ... then you're saying no to yourself too often. You deserve as much time and attention as those people and projects in your life.--Michele R. Bardsley