When The Universe Conspires to Get Your Butt in Gear

It's been awhile since I've blogged here. Okay, that's an understatement.  It's been a heckuva long time. Months. (My Gremlin would like me to capitalize that word, underline in red and highlight in bright pink.  I'm ignoring him.) I had a pile on my desk, now moved to another part of my office because it's gotten so big, of ideas written on scraps of paper, newspaper clippings, and even a paper bag from a terrific burrito place in LA, all waiting to be blogged about. I have started a blog post in my mind several times, entitled, "Starting Again...." The longer I waited to start again, the harder it got. Photo by Charles Jeffrey Danoff

And this evening, I finally got the message, loud and clear:  Just write. 

It started last week, when I was invited to be a career blogger for an alumni association.  When I asked how many articles I would need to write a year, I heard the number six. 

What I said out loud was this, "Oh, I think it would be good to get me back into blogging." 

What I said inside was this, "Holy crap. I'm not sure if I'm ready for that kind of commitment." 

Me, the woman who has written hundreds of blog posts on three different blogs, since 2005.

This morning, I received Dan Pink's "irregular and irreverent newsletter."  I thought I was irregular, but Dan is really irregular. Yeah, I know. The guy lives on airplanes, so I should cut him some slack. Just know that schadenfreude lives. (If you don't know what that word means, it's worth looking up, just so you can insert it into casual conversation once a year with your best friend.)

Given that Dan's newsletter comes once in a blue moon, and he's an excellent writer with even more excellent content, I took time to read his newsletter this evening.  Wouldn't you know it, he included among other great content his 7 Rules for Writing, which I include in its entirety here:

 

Dan Pink's 7 Rules for Writing

1. Show up. Get to work even when you don't feel like writing--especially when you don't feel like writing.
2. Write every day. Regaining momentum takes three times as much energy as sustaining momentum. (Look it up: It's a law of literary physics.)
3. Don't do anything else until you've written five hundred words. I mean it.
4. Move. Some of my best ideas come when I'm climbing the stairs of my house or running in my neighborhood.
5. Once you've produced a semi-credible draft of a section or chapter, have someone read it to you aloud. Hearing your words will make you rethink--and sometimes regret--them.
6. Remember that writing, though solitary, is also social. You're making a promise to readers. Honor that promise.
7. These rules work for me. Your mileage may vary.

Okay, so I showed up tonight, I'm one for one, I think I may already have written five hundred words, but if I haven't, I've got at least a few more paragraphs in me, and I just moved from the bathroom to my office (yes, good reading gets done in the most traditional of places.)  I don't plan on having anyone read this aloud, as my husband never thinks I'm as funny as I do and I do remember my readers, especially when my Gremlin says loudly on Sunday nights in an exasperated voice, "Why haven't you written anything this week?"

And yeah, I know my mileage may vary.  But having printed out Dan's 7 Rules in GREEN paper so I won't miss it, I'm guessing it could work for me, too.

 

Okay, but tonight---tonight was the piece de resistance.  Whoever up there pulls the strings on life down here pulled a big one tonight. In my inbox was an email from a dear friend, and my one-time writing coach, the irrepressible Deb Cooperman.  Her reason for writing?  She just published a free e-book about....drum roll please....GETTING STARTED WITH A WRITING PRACTICE.  And wouldn't you know it? Deb was smart enough to make it short and sweet, with pretty pictures on each page, so I HAD to read it.

Deb gives ten tips for getting started and continuing the momentum.  Simple but helpful stuff like, Start Small and Keep the Pen Moving. How can you argue with advice like that? (Or say no to that face--the one that is a mixture of a school teacher who just loves you to death and the soup Nazi who could easily deprive you of your favorite food, just when you need it most?)

I know this stuff.  I just needed a reminder. And a kick in the butt from the Universe. Deb got me started again, along with Dan Pink and my alumni association contact. And now it's my job to keep it going.  Dear reader, do me a favor. Keep me honest. I have lots to write about. If you don't hear from me in awhile, I just need to be reminded to Just Write.

PS. Deb's e-book is excellent.  Don't delay, grab your free copy here. I don't endorse stuff unless I've tried it out myself and I like it.

PPS. I'M BACK!!! and it feels good.

Comments

[deb]

I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't get back to sleep. My blackberry was flashing red with messages, and I know it's not wise when one is having trouble sleeping to pick up a mobile device and look at email, but ... do I do everything that's good for me?

I saw your email, clicked through the link and read this post in *teeny* type on my blackberry screen ... bubbling with delight at the whole story. And with a smile on my face (a bit wider than the school teacher/soup nazi sort methinks), I shut down the blackberry and went back to sleep. :)

Girlene, I just LOVE that I was part of the universe's conspiracy to get you writing again; LOVED that I got mentioned in the company of Daniel Pink (oh, ego) ... and I LOVE that you're writing again. (cause i just LOVE your SCHTUFF!)

(oh ... and thanks for the shout out on the ebook and all; smooches, you.)

[carolross]

My pleasure, Deb. You were the straw that broke the camel's back, in a good way, and I'm grateful for that.

I love your play with words and had all but forgotten about "girlene". Thanks, Girlene, for all that you do.