When we think of writing it triggers many thoughts and
visions depending on our framing. It could trigger a lone
man with a full astray, unshaven, staring at an old
plunking typewriter with white blank crisp paper waiting in
anticipation for his words.
If a mother or younger, it could conjure up an image of a
30-something woman typing away on a keyboard with an apron
on, in between making formulas or getting ready for work,
still dark outside. Pounding on the keys because the flow
is there, just as the light from the window begins to
change, trying to get as much onto the page before the kids
need her attention.
If you grew up in a Catholic school in the 50s, writing
could mean perfect penmanship and a rap on the knuckles if
you didn't.
The times have changed, thank goodness, and now children
grow up with memories of learning to cluster and freewrite.
To allow whatever needs to flow appear onto the page.
There are more books than ever on creativity, and how to
play and embrace the craft new everyday. It is a freeing
time for writers.
Yet, three principles prevail no matter what your
association to the meaning of writer appears. They are PDA, for short. No, not the PDA you carry around in your pocket.
But the PDA a writer needs to carry around in the heart.
P=patience
D=discipline
A=action
The patience to allow our writing to mature with practice.
To push just enough to keep us uncomfortable yet still
allow us to keep trying.
The discipline to sit still long enough to get it started
and completed. The discipline to keep picking up the pen,
putting another sheet of paper in the printer, or buying
new keyboards because the last one certain keys just plain
gave out.
Action to keep the vision and dream alive for one more time, one more word, one more story, one more meaning.
Remember, the next time you want to write more or write
better. Don't pull out your PDA from your pocket, but pull
out the ones that really count from your heart. The ones
that truly affect your ass(ets), patience, discipline, and
creative action.
Catherine Franz, a Certified Professional Marketing &
Writing Coach: product development, Internet
writing & marketing. Newsletters and articles:
http://www.abundancecenter.com
blog: http://abundance.blogs.com/inthelight