The Reluctant Writer

By Linda R. Shoaf

Whenever I hear friends exclaim their love for writing, I think I’m in the wrong crowd. Yet, am I? I’ve written throughout my career because it was part of my job responsibilities. When others plagiarized my work, I considered it as affirmation and would say, “I’m glad they liked it.”

From a career perspective, it was to my advantage to publish in recognized journals and trade magazines in my field. Many encouraged my efforts. I regarded the numerous newsletters and materials I initiated for my employer or volunteer groups as creative ventures instead of writing.

A busy work and volunteer schedule kept me from pursuing personal writing. I once overheard a professional in my field and prolific writer say, “You don’t find time to write, you make time.” Maybe that’s the problem. Other responsibilities made me reluctant to put aside time to write, so I procrastinated as I tried to finish everything else.

For those like me who consider themselves a reluctant writer, for whatever reason, here are a few pointers to change your view.

Give yourself credit. While I didn’t consider all those programs, workbooks, and other projects as writing, a writer-friend convinced me that writing is writing.

Be confident. I felt secure in the style of work I did for others, but somehow, writing for myself dampened self-confidence. Perhaps it was fear of failure. Regardless, if it wasn’t written or sent somewhere, great ideas were to naught.

Be persistent. I admire those who write and seem to get it correct the first time. A well-known editor of a professional journal once commented, “It takes most people at least seven rewrites to get articles ready to publish.” And I might add, it takes some of us more.

Be consistent. While I’m generally goal-oriented and reasonably organized, all that seems to vanish when I write. It’s difficult for me to establish a specific plan. I make notes on scraps of paper as ideas come to me.

Find the best time and place to write. That’s old news, but it has merit. Many find a quiet spot or have a favorite area to do their work. I laugh and say I often accomplish more sitting in a waiting room because I tune out everything else. At home, it’s always the ding of a washer or dryer, the ring of a cell phone or other electronic device, or hundreds of other distractions.

Keep your own style. I don’t write fiction, but I can analyze and interpret data. It finally occurred to me that it wasn’t a good use of my time to write in a manner uncomfortable to me. Each of us has a unique style.

Whatever your writing aspirations, you can overcome the label of reluctant writer. Adjust your mind-set and get started. 

You ARE a WRITER. 

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Linda Ross Shoaf is a registered/licensed dietitian-nutritionist with a doctoral degree in adult education. After one year of teaching junior high school, she moved into teaching nutrition and related subjects in colleges, universities, and post-secondary schools. Following several moves with her husband and teaching in five states, they founded Cindryn Group, Ltd. in the late 1980s. Within a few years, Linda integrated her independent work in nutrition and Christian living into their company. Her motto, “To nourish body and spirit” reflects her goal to encourage people in healthy physical and spiritual living. Linda has spoken at local, regional, and national venues and leads nutrition workshops, Bible studies, and national webinars. She serves in leadership roles on community and educational boards. As a registered dietitian-nutritionists, Linda is a national peer-reviewer for many articles, books, position papers and professional materials in her field. Her publications include numerous journal, trade, and consumer articles and devotionals. You can find her blog www.cindryn.com at www.foodfromthegarden.wordpress.com  

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You’re A Writer. Pick Yourself

By Lorna Faith

Five years ago, I was desperate to start something that I’d longed to do since I was little.

I wanted to be a writer.

I saw writers producing a new book every year, with scads of articles in between. Words seemed to drip from their fingers. Maybe this writing thing won’t be so hard after all. Yeah, right. That theory turned out to be wrong on so many levels.

Writing was hard work, at least for me.

From the first words I put on the blank screen in front of me, until I finished my first novel five years later, every single day I struggled to get the story on page. Sure, some days were easier than others were, but every time I saw the empty void looming in front of me, I was consumed with intimidation and fear of failure. Fear of rejection showed up in my writing days resulting in perfectionism and procrastination that slowed me down.

Questions of self-doubt filled my mind. What if I’m the only one that thinks I could be a good writer? What if I suck at this and end up failing?

Insecurity and anguish mocked me, their condemning words echoing in my ears.

At the time, I didn’t realize that the truth, which I was struggling to accept, was that at the core of me I already was a writer.

I didn’t understand that before I could really find my voice as a writer, I needed to own that identity. Activity would follow.

I was in the process of becoming what some part of me realized I was.

It was during the last year of writing and editing my book when I discovered Jeff Goins’ new book You Are A Writer. My biggest aha moment came when I read his words: Don’t wait for someone to pick you. Pick yourself.

A light bulb switched on in my head. At last, I realized that all these years of struggle had been about me waiting for permission. Somewhere in my subconscious mind, I let those negative voices evolve into something much bigger. It dawned on me that I had been waiting for that unknown someone, to pick me and confirm that I was a writer.

Pick yourself. I let those words sink in and I relished in the truth. No big publishing house contract, literary agent or editor needed to affirm what I already knew.

I was a writer. It was time for me to act like one.

That moment was the starting point. I took those mind-shifting words to heart and welcomed the gift I’d been given with open arms.

Now after many years of waiting, this tiny seed is beginning to sprout.

Since that point, I’ve come out of my self-imposed cave of fear and embraced the freedom of who I am.

I hope you too will let yourself become what you already are.

Go ahead. Pick Yourself.

You are a writer.

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Lorna Faith grew up in Northern B.C., Canada, the youngest child of 11 children. Her dad and mom were pioneers that Homesteaded in 3 separate Provinces in their lifetime. Her dad was the 1st child in their family of 15 children that was born in Canada of Volga German immigrants from Russia. Inspired by stories her dad told of their adventures in Russia and their immigration to Canada, Lorna wrote her debut book, Answering Annaveta (Russia to Canada Trilogy). From the age of 5years old, Lorna's love for music had her playing and singing in different festivals and travelling with many singing groups to halls and churches. Her 1st music CD "As I Walk" is music that has been called "magical light ballad sounds" to inspire the soul. For a sample of her songs listen to this tribute she wrote in honor of her dad's life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9rnXNbF-fE Lorna Faith’s social media contacts; http://lornafaith.com/wordpress http://rawstorylife.com https://twitter.com/lornafaith  https://www.facebook.com/lornafaithauthor