To the ‘Ashawo’ Writer(s)

Dearest Writer,

One of the battles you will need to win this year is the battle over excitement. That one that comes when a new inspiration hits you smack in the face; that feeling akin to hot bubbles swimming in your gut and joy in your heart. Hey, dearie, you’re pregnant again!

And this new little one feels so perfect, much more powerful, awesome, and even interesting than the current one.

You forget that was exactly how you felt last week, last month, and last year too. You don’t realize that excitement has become the drug that inspires you to put hands to keyboard and you cannot see that you’re slowly becoming an idea junkie. It’s a cycle of poverty and third-classness – excitement never has enough fuel to produce substantial results.

Don’t do that this year!

Instead, jot down your ideas, and freshen up your outlines but discipline yourself to not start a new story until you finish the old. It’s like rewarding yourself for a job well done with more writing.

“I should wrap this up quickly so I can hop on the new fun train!” You see what you did there with your productivity?

Now, now, there are stories meant to be completed in phases. Those usually take longer to cook. I’m not referring to those ideas that come to us in parts. No excuses, you know what I mean.

Dearest idea junkie, this may be the sign you need to go back to your idea note, pick up your abandoned babies and groom them to maturity or you will never achieve 1/3 of what God has for you. The Holy Spirit in charge of your inspiration is also a spirit of discipline.

Don’t be seduced by new beautiful characters, worlds or events calling your name because you’ve hit a slow writing day. The next time those new inspirations call you, note their words as expressively and carefully as you can then reply with a shoulder-high, “I’m not an ashawo.”

Discipline yourself!

I soo love hearing from you so don’t be shy while leaving your comment.