Simply Successful Secrets

Harmony, who blogs at Writer in the Making, tagged me for the Simply Successful Secrets meme. I appreciate her tag and her confidence in me! Though I'm e-published, I can't yet call myself a commercially, print-published author. I am, however, working my duff off to get there, and I'm having fun along the way.

Here are the rules for the Simply Successful Secrets meme. Aaron Potts started the meme as a means to compile a list of the habits of successful people. Those who are tagged must post five (or ten, if they wish) things they do every day that contribute to success or advancement in their chosen field.

My vocational field is, of course, writing, but I'm not only a novelist. I'm a devoted wife, a doting catmom, an avid reader, an enthusiastic Hawg writer, a nerd, and a damn good cook, to boot! I only wish I were as dedicated to cleaning house (*brushing a monster dustbunny off desk for the kitties to play with*). Ah well, there are only so many hours in a day.

But for this meme, I'll focus on my writing endeavors.

1. I write every day. Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? But "writing" for me can mean different things. Usually, by "writing," I mean working on a novel, whether going forward with the first draft of a brand new one, rewriting an old one, or revising a recent one (all of which are projects currently sharing space on my mental burner). But for me, "writing" also means blogging about writing (or about other things, as the mood hits), critiquing other writers' work and/or having mine critiqued, or posting on writing-related internet fora. As I said in a previous post, no writing is wasted, and there's always something new to learn.

2. I keep a notebook close at hand. As a novelist, I never know when or where ideas will hit. Sometimes, while grocery shopping, I hear interesting snatches of dialogue which take my mind in a new direction. Or while taking a walk outside, I experience a revelatory insight about how to break through a story block. And some of my best ideas come when I'm only a half-degree from sleep at o'dark thirty, and when this happens, I grab my notebook off the nightstand and start scribbling like a woman possessed, though I'm only half-awake.

3. I exercise regularly. By regularly, I mean at least 4-5 times a week. Every day, when I can manage it. Not only is it good for my body but it's good for my mind. I love to walk outside in the fresh air, away from my computer, where I can enjoy a change of scenery. Writing is a wonderful life, but it's also one of the most sedentary activities a person can do. As a writer, I've got to move regularly to shake the dust off my butt and to remember that there's life outside the worlds and the people in my head. And shaking the dust (or mold, as the case may be) off my butt provides that much more fuel and fodder for my imaginings.

4. Organization. I'm absent-minded as all get-out. I don't know if it has to do with me being a novelist and living so much inside my head or if my brain is slowly but surely turning into a chunk of Swiss Cheese. Whatever the case, I have to mitigate my absent-mindedness in order to keep my day-to-day life from falling into chaos. So I keep a computerized list of life's little mundanities: upcoming appointments, errands, reminders, whatever needs attention gets included on that list. I keep the list loaded on my computer where I can't help but look at it, and I make backups of it every day. Keeping up with life's little "must-dos" via my list helps me manage them more effectively.

5. Read, read, read. Reading is fuel for the writer's mind, and don't let anybody tell you differently. When I read, I find inspiration. Instruction from the great masters. When I read, I give my mind permission to relax, to let go of the here and now and journey to the elsewhere and elsewhen, which keeps my mental pump primed for excursions into the worlds, times, and people that I create. Reading in the evenings and at night also helps me sleep better, and restful sleep is essential not only for good health but also to my creative life.

Now, I've gotta tag other folks to participate in this meme! All righty, I tag...

Wylie Kinson, friend and fellow writer, whose novella, Destiny by Design, will soon be released by Ellora's Cave.

and

Talia Mana, writer and fellow Absolute Write member, whose blog, Centre for Emotional Well-Being, is a clearinghouse of excellent, helpful information.

Wylie and Talia, y'all are it! *grin*