Tag Archives: encouragement

Technique, Works, Publishing

Using your web browser as a writing tool

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It’s not just for research (and procrastinating) anymore!

Back in November, we ran a whole series on little ways to psych yourself up for your story. Since then, I’ve found another way I really like.

I recently switched my browser from Mozilla Firefox to Google Chrome. It’s a few months in and I’m still getting used to it, but there is at least one feature I really like: an add-on called Incredible StartPage. Whenever you open a new tab or empty web browser, it loads a set of links/information that you might need: your bookmarks, your Chrome apps, your recently closed tabs, a set of notepads, links to your email and calendar, and a picture.

You can use the default picture from Flickr, or you can set up a custom picture. I decided to set up my Incredible StartPage to help fire me up to write. Since I like making covers for my WIPs, I resized the cover for the book I was writing or revising at the time:

Notice the little note to self: Shouldn’t you be working? It shows up every time I open another tab for more research.

There are lots of other ways to use your browser to get you back to writing. When I was on Firefox, I used an extension called LeechBlock to limit the time I spent on time-sucking websites. I loved how flexible it was: you could allot yourself a certain number of minutes per hour to use your web-based email or social networking sites (you specify which sites to block!), pick the days of the week, select the time of day, or block certain sites altogether!

I haven’t tried any of the similar apps in Chrome, but StayFocusd comes highly recommended.

What little tricks do you use to get excited for your story every day?

PS: a special reveal today. This month as part of the Authors Incognito March-a-thon, I set a goal to write a new book. And of course, I made a cover. So here’s a tiny peek at the book I should be finishing tomorrow!

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Works

In ardua tendit

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You know, I forgot. Between granting myself some maternity (and morning sickness) leave, having a baby, and grueling months of editing/reworking/rewriting, it’s now been almost a year since I’ve started a new writing project.

I forgot how hard it is.

Even when you’ve done it, it can be so easy to catch yourself thinking “Easy peasy! I can slam this out in six weeks!” when you open up a new document. I mean, I’m not intimidated by a blank page. (It’s the words that are hard 😉 .)

maccallum crestWriting is one of those forms of art that the pinnacle of achievement can be looking effortless. Like dance or gymnastics. Except few people sit through a competition or performance and walk away thinking “I can do that. I’ll start tomorrow.”

Writing? Pfft. Everyone writes. All the time. Emails, notes, shopping list. How hard could a book be?

Hard. And long. Especially when your time is limited.

But it isn’t impossible. It’s work—but we’re not trying to cure cancer, here!

I’ve married into the MacCallum clan*. The clan motto is In ardua tendit. Translations include “he attempts hard things” and “I strive for the heights” (and various combinations).

Because I can do hard things. And so can you! (But first, a little more research….)

Where do you find yourself getting discouraged in the writing process?

Starting Friday: the dialogue series! Guest post volunteers?

Picture from this site

*At least, we think we’re part of the MacCallum clan. As far as records go, our McCollum ancestors apparently sprang out of the ground in 18th century Tennessee, so we can’t tell what part of Scotland they came from.

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Uncategorized

Perseverance

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It’s that time again! For no apparent reason, I’m feeling discouraged today—like I’ll never get the WIP that I’ve been working on for almost two years good enough (and nothing else I ever have or ever will write will be, either) (man, the more I think about this the worse it gets!).

And then I come across a little encouragement:

Most people quit when it gets really dark. Those who succeed are the ones who refuse to stop.

from Annette Lyon’s Top 5 Pieces of Advice for Writers

we need to feel good about what we have accomplished without comparing ourselves to others. And that is what success really is – knowing we have done something good and taking appropriate pride in that, without feeling less because others have done more than we have.

from Tristi Pinkston, LDS Author

And, of course, to put things in perspective:

Detail of Star Wars painting by Hugh Fleming

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