David Farland’s Daily Kick in the Pants—Finding the Guts to Write

For many authors, our fear of failure dissuades us from writing.

JimWolverton

6/28/2012

David Farland’s Daily Kick in the Pants—Finding the Guts to Write

For many authors, our fear of failure dissuades us from writing.

I believe that this is the source of most “writer’s block.” An author is unsure how to compose an upcoming scene, or needs a little brainstorm time to think about a character, or is just filled with nagging worries about his or her own adequacy, and so the author doesn’t write at all.

As Sylvia Plath put it, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”
From time to time, you need to dare to be bad. Risk writing something poorly, and plan to rewrite it to greatness when you can.

If you have to, set an unrealistic page goal just to push yourself to get something done.

Or try setting a goal of using a technique that you’ve admired in another writer.
If those strategies don’t work, try finding a theme that you care about deeply, and weaving that into your work.

Whatever you do, write. If you begin working daily, you will soon find that writing will become a habit, not something to be avoided.

My friend Ken Rand used to put it nicely. He said, “Many people will tell you that you can’t write. Let no one say that you don’t.”

...

Check out Dave’s Novel Rewriting Workshop here

In this workshop I’ll teach you a number of editing techniques to help boost the power and effectiveness of your novel, while at the same time broadening your audience so that you generate more interest and, in the end, sell more books.

Related Headlines

David Farland’s Daily Kick in the Pants—How to Reach Your Writing Zone, Part 4

David Farland’s Kick in the Pants—Dealing with Mental Exhaustion

David Farland’s Daily Kick in the Pants—How to Reach Your Writing Zone, Part 3

David Farland’s Daily Kick in the Pants—How to Reach Your Writing Zone, Part 2

David Farland’s Daily Kick in the Pants—How to Reach Your Writing Zone, Part 1

1 Comments

BlueThroneJeff
6/29/2012
6:32 AM

I echo much of the above advice to others, though seldom practice it myself. It's good to be reminded that if you have something to say (story-wise), the only wrong way to say it is with silence. Thank you for the sound advice.

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

Are You A Writer or Have You Even Thought of Becoming a Writer?

Register for David Farland’s free “Daily Kick In The Pants” and get insights on writing, plus motivational tips and news.

You’ll be the first to learn about David’s interviews with other authors, and maybe even be invited to a free live teleconference from time to time.

To top it all off, join now and you’ll immediately receive a free report entitled, “Why There’s No Recession for Fiction Writers!”

Nightingale

Bron Jones was abandoned at birth. Because that's what his people do. His foster families found him to be "too gifted" and "strange." Because that's how his people are... Learn More

On My Way To Paradise

Locus Award Winner

In a world of ever-worsening crisis, Angelo Osic is an anomaly: a man who cares about others. One day he aids a stranger. . .and calls down disaster, for the woman called Tamara is also a woman on the run, the only human with the knowledge that will save Earth from the artificial intelligences plotting to overthrow it...Learn More

The Golden Queen

When Gallen O’Day is hired to as a bodyguard to escort a young woman through the woods to the forbidden ruins at Geata Na Chruinn, it seems like an ordinary job—but all too soon, he finds himself fleeing for his life from creatures that seem like escapees from a nightmare—the alien dronon, led by their golden queen. With his best friend, a genetically engineered talking bear named Orick, and his girlfriend Maggie, Gallen soon finds himself tangled in an interstellar war that he never knew existed, racing across a host of worlds, confronted by a future unlike any that he had ever imagined... Learn More

Million Dollar Outlines eBook

Million Dollar Outlines

BUY FOR Kindle, NOOK

David Farland has taught dozens of other writers who have gone on to staggering literary success, including such #1 New York Times Bestsellers as Brandon Mull (middle-grade), Brandon Sanderson (fantasy), James Dashner (young adult) and Stephenie Meyer (young adult).

Along the way, Dave helps writers learn how to outline books and screenplays so that they will have a huge audience appeal. This is a key to raising your work from just being a commercial book or movie to becoming a bestseller.

Dave has trained authors in conjunction with his role as coordinating judge of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Program, as a creative writing instructor at Brigham Young University, and he has honed his skills in dozens of writing seminars and classes.

In this eBook, Dave teaches new writers the basics of how to analyze an audience, and outline, draft, and polish a novel.

The secrets found in his unconventional approach will help you understand why so many of his authors go on to prominence.

BUY FOR Kindle, NOOK

Amazon.com Widgets