Tag Archives: excuses

Lesson 74

22 Wednesday Jun 2016

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I know I’ve been slacking on the posting lately. Sorry about that, everyone! I’m trying to get back to the regular posting. I promise!

It’s Wednesday, so we’re looking at another lesson. It’s been a crazy few weeks, so we’re going to look at making time.

I know I’ve talked about it towards the beginning of this website, but I think it’s time to look at it again.

I’m guilty of this. I’ve been here before. I’ve said, “I don’t have time.” Yeah. I’ve done that. Why? As it turns out, I’m just lazy.

Lately, I’ve been forcing myself to do a little bit every day. I have a goal of editing two chapters a day, although I try to make it more like five. I’m trying to make myself do a lot more. Maybe I won’t get a chance until the evening, but gosh darn it, as soon as I get the time, I’m doing it.

At least, I try to.

Now, maybe I won’t do as much if I’m extremely tired. Maybe I won’t do as much if I can’t think straight. But I try to do a lot. I try to push through and make sure I take the time. I try to make sure I’m doing at least a little bit every day.

If I don’t do anything one day, it’s not because I didn’t have time. It’s because I chose not to.

Try to do a little bit of writing every single day. You might just have five minutes. You might have just a couple minutes. Any writing you do will be a big help. Never doubt that.

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The Trouble With Writing

04 Monday Apr 2016

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Hi, everyone. Look at what  I’m finally getting back to! I guess it helps that I had my laptop turned on for other things, but I’m fortunate that I had enough time to do this, too.

Anyway, time to look at the main reason for this post. Writing is troublesome sometimes. And by that, I mean all the time (even though we love it!).

This week, we’re looking at promotion.

What? Promotion? You mean to say that the publisher actually doesn’t do all that for you?

Sorry, but no. I know, I was disappointed when I first found that out as well. If you want your book to do well, you have to promote it yourself. And take it from someone who just had a book released: It’s hard.

I admit to not promoting anywhere near as much as I should. I’ve had a family emergency going on, and promotion has mostly been the furthest thing from my mind. But now that things are finally starting to slow down, I started thinking, “Oh, hey, I’ve got a book out. I should probably promote it at some point to let people know about it… Good thing I’m a guest on a couple shows that were scheduled way before this whole thing happened.”

I know. Excuses, excuses.

Things happen. I get that. Promotion isn’t always going to be the first thing on your mind. Having just experienced it first hand, I know what that’s like. Family should always come first, and nothing is ever going to change that. But if you think about it, why not just post something up on social media right quick about your book? Give it a little thought.

What it the most effective way you’ve found to promote? Feel free to let me know in the comments!

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Lesson 64

02 Wednesday Sep 2015

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It’s Wednesday, so it’s time for another lesson. This week, we’re looking at how to deal with being busy.

I’ve gotten busy a lot lately. I was out of town for a single day, and then everything exploded. A good explosion, mind you.

I didn’t have time to write or edit on Sunday because everything happened. I know, I’m big on making time, but I have to admit, my mind was so out of it on Sunday. After all, my author interview did take up a lot of time.

Okay, so I’m totally making excuses. I know, I know, I’m being totally hypocritical. I could have made time to write on Sunday, but I didn’t.

So, what does making excuses have to do with being busy? A lot. We all have those days when we’re like, “Well, I want to write…but I’m so busy. I don’t have time.” I’ve had multiple times when that has happened. I don’t like it, but it does happen.

The big thing is just trying to get a few minutes in. Even if you just have five minutes to squeeze in, that’s five minutes of writing. Just that can make a big difference.

Try to make time to write if you want to write. Quit making excuses. Excuses do nothing but hold you down.

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Lesson 37

07 Wednesday Jan 2015

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I’m so glad to be getting back to lessons. I enjoy these and I missed doing them!

Today, I’m going to talk to you about letting life get in the way. I know, I let it, so I’m going to seem like the biggest hypocrite ever today. I hated it, trust me.

I understand that sometimes you can’t help it. The family is in town and you want to spend time with them, you’re taking care of your newborn and too tired to think straight, or you just don’t feel like dealing with anything. I know. I get it.

Your fans depend on you. Even if you don’t have a big fan base, I’m sure you have some. I didn’t think I had any, but then I met one. But that’s not important right now. The point is, you have fans. Let them know you’re still alive.

Guess what letting your fans know you’re still alive means? You guessed it — making time! Make time for your website, make time for working on your manuscript, make time for anything you need to do. If you really want to write, you can make time.

You might say, “But I don’t see where I can squeeze in time. My child is little and all of my time is devoted to him.” Wrong. There’s this thing called nap time and bed time. Don’t take a nap and write while your kid is asleep. Write after your kid goes to bed. You have time. you’re just making excuses.

“But what about my job? I can’t make time because of that.” You have your lunch break, don’t you? Get to writing!

Excuses are way too common when it comes to writing. Don’t be that way. Get to writing.

Lesson 24

24 Wednesday Sep 2014

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I just want to start out by saying how cool is it that I’m doing lesson 24 on the 24th??? Okay, now back to business…

Today, I’m going to talk to you about persevering, no matter what the circumstance. I know, I’ve been getting on to you all about keeping up with everything, and making time lately, but I think it’s time we talked about persevering.

I know, the easy thing is to give up. Believe me, I’ve been tempted. My eyes hurt like hell these days because I don’t have glasses strong enough right now and I may very well have glaucoma. Guess what? I have to tell myself to suck it up and move on. I don’t care if you’re in some kind of pain or if you’re stuck at a point. Suck it up. Keep going. If I can possibly have glaucoma and keep going, you can keep going, too.

It’s all too easy to make excuses. “I’m tired.” “I don’t feel good.” “I have to get up early enough as it is in the morning.” No. I don’t care. You’re giving up on that piece you say you want to get out to the world. Stop giving up and keep going. That’s the only way you’re ever going to get anywhere. Do you want your name known? Get it known.

E-mail me: whatnottowriteandwritingtips@gmail.com

Follow me on Twitter: @SCourtney94

Keep the faith, writers. I believe in you all.