On New Year’s Day of 2012, I created the Sacred Writing Time Pledge. The Pledge was born in response to a writing group colleague who bemoaned her lack of organization, willpower, family cooperation, and other reasons (aka excuses) that prevented her from being the steady, daily, productive writer she wanted to be.
Writers write. Writers who get published complete work and submit that work to agents and editors, or they choose to self-publish. That’s how it works. The way to write for publication is to commit to it. That means nothing–and no one–stands in the way of your writing goals.
Don’t allow reasons (aka excuses) to gain power over you and undermine your goals. I’d like to invite my writing friends and colleagues to take the Sacred Writing Time Pledge for the first time, or renew from last year.
Note: In the past, the Sacred Writing Time Pledge included place for the writer to ask his/her family to sign, too, and back up the writer’s commitment. This year, I’ve simplified the form because you do not permission, approval, or backup to pursue your writing goals. Just do it.
The Sacred Writing Time Pledge, 2017
I ____________ do solemnly swear to devote time each day to Sacred Writing Time. That means no one and nothing disturbs this time, including myself. I will work toward my writing goals and will accept nothing less than the best I expect of myself.
Signature _______________________________ (date) _______
Best of luck to all of you in your writing endeavors for 2017!
Ramona
Have we told you lately that you’re the best? Happy new year, Ramona.
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You are so kind, Marian! Happy new year!
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Thanks for this kick in the pants, Ramona! Happy New Year!
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Happy new year to you, too, Sally! I wish you lots of good writing in 2017.
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Signed, sealed, delivered!
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…I’m yours! Oh wait, that’s the song.
Happy new year, Edith!
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I’m going to post my sacred writing pledge where I can see it every day!
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Great! I wish you lots of good writing in 2017, Karen.
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I’m in! Thanks, Ramona!
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Happy new year, Leslie!
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I’m all for the modification for this year. We’re all responsible for ourselves–so true!
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I thought a lot before I made the change. In the end, we have to allow disruptions to disrupt us, don’t we?
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Hi Ramona – Sometime ago, I inquired if you’d have time on your calendar to review and edit the manuscript of my second book, Buried Troubles. At the time, you felt you could work me in and had mentioned February/ March. I replied that I’d be pleased if you could fit me in in February. Still possible? My manuscript will be in the hands of a former mystery writing teacher for one review at the end of this weekend. I am hoping for a two to three week turnaround – after which I would make any necessary changes and turn over to you for further review and refinements if you can still take the assignment. The book will probably come in at something less than 75K words – how much less, I am not sure yet. Thanks for all your support, encouragement and leadership for writers. Crashing through completion of the first draft of the manuscript – this old lady is putting on her walking shoes for the March in Washington next weekend. Best. Marian http://www.marianmcmahonstanley.com
On Sunday, January 1, 2017, Ramona DeFelice Long wrote:
> Ramona DeFelice Long posted: “On New Year’s Day of 2012, I created the > Sacred Writing Time Pledge. The Pledge was born in response to a writing > group colleague who bemoaned her lack of organization, willpower, family > cooperation, and other reasons (aka excuses) that prevented her from” >
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Marian, I will send an email to your gmail address in a sec. Thanks!
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