Anyway. I've been thinking a bit lately about magic feathers. I've talked about this subject occasionally with my writer friends and its something interesting to think about.
As writers, there are a lot of things that can become our "magic feathers." Maybe its NaNoWriMo, and you can somehow only make yourself really crank out during the month of November. Maybe it's a hat or a robe you wear when you write that puts you in Writing Mode. Maybe it's certain music or a certain spot on the couch or a certain caffeinated beverage. Maybe it's a scheduled time during the day.
I think for me, I don't necessarily have a magic feather as much as I'm way too willing to give in to excuses. I'm too worried about money, or I didn't get enough sleep, or I only have a half hour chunk of time, or bla bla bla. So I guess my problem is that I don't have a magic feather and have a hard time making good progress without one.
My point is this. I actually think magic feathers are a good thing. The problems arise when we become over-reliant on them and can't write when situations arise where we don't have our magic feathers (which is my problem). But, knowing what our magic feathers are and manipulating and taking advantage of them to push and "trick" ourselves into crushing it every day...I say use whatever tools we got, man.
So I'm going to get me a magic feather and stop folding under all the lame excuses. I'm going to make solid, specific word count and pitching/querying goals and actually write them down and use whatever magic feathers I can find to accomplish them. No excuses, and here's to flying.
What are your magic feathers?
Sarah Allen
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Magic feathers - I love it! I don't think I have one right now as I am also too quick to give in to excuses. I should make finding a magic feather my New Year's resolution.
ReplyDeleteHappy December! :)
smiles....music always helps me to be productive...and when i really get stuck i change scenery...go live a little before getting back to it.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting concept. I can't really say that I have a magic feather. The closest thing I have is simply a good story. If I start a really good story, sometimes the momentum and emotion can slingshot me to the end. That only really works with flash fiction, though.
ReplyDeleteI don't really have one, although as a lazy writer, I need things like NaNo and BuNo to prompt me to write. I wasn't ready for NaNo this year, so now I'll just have to write without a feather.
ReplyDeleteThis very moment and the last couple of days, I've had to do all my writing on the iPhone. My computer is dead. Magic feathers are good. Even imaginary ones.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in magic feathers. I believe in routine, training your brain, and dogged determination/stick-to-it-ness.
ReplyDeleteHope you find yourself a magic feather.
ReplyDeleteWe went to see "The Christmas Candle" and I think you would like it. A magic candle--magic feathers.
ReplyDeleteGuilt does it for me! That or a totally out of the blue, wonderful idea for a story that just has to be written. The latest source? A nightmare!
ReplyDelete