writing pledge

Sacred Writing Time Pledge, 2017

by Ramona DeFelice Long

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

The Sacred Writing Time Pledge, 2016

by Ramona DeFelice Long

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. Continue reading “The Sacred Writing Time Pledge, 2016” →

4 Ws and an R

by Ramona DeFelice Long

hedwig snowWho, What, When, Where, Why and How….Anyone who has ever worked for a news outlet is familiar with the 5 Ws and an H. My college training was in journalism, so I find myself looking for this familiar set of letters in news stories, and in fiction too. If you are a working writer planning out a story, addressing these six points of your plot is a good starting place.

Another good starting place is a new year. Three days into a cold and snowy 2014, and I am thinking about a new set of letters, and how they can help me address the various points of my working life.

For me, the letters are 4 Ws and an R.

WRITE – The most obvious, but sometimes the most difficult to schedule. Carving out a couple of hours a day for my own writing is a must for 2014, so I have taken my own Sacred Writing Time Pledge. But I also want to share my work so “Writing” also means submitting, being critiqued, reading at open mics. And more blogging, maybe?

WORK –  My editing calendar is a colorful blast of penciled-in client names, online classes, speaking engagements, conferences. Thank you, world, for giving me this work I love to do! This year, I have a new notion or two to expand my work life and offer useful services to my writing friends and clients. Stay tuned.

WALK – Face it, without the daily walk, I’m grumpy. No one likes grumpy. Walking builds a stronger body, but I’m fortunate to have a Walking Friend who is a non-writer. I’ve already written about her value to me, and her patience with my sometimes skewed thinking. I wonder how many writers depend on physical activity to work out plot problems and/or explore story ideas? If you are lucky enough to have a reader friend who will listen to your writerly ramblings, hug him or her for me.

WORKSHOP – I love to teach! But I also love to be taught. If I (or you) ever begin to think I (or you) know all there is to know about writing, it’s time to retire, and maybe buy a few pounds of humility. Writers are generous with their knowledge and experience. Conferences are full of useful and practical courses, and if you can’t travel, the online workshop world is right at your keyboard. I take courses, too, and am always on the lookout for classes to take. Recommendations are welcomed!

READ – I write in the morning, edit all afternoon, and in the evening I like to chill out and rest my brain. But at bedtime, I still need that hour of reading.  Is it possible to sleep without sliding into the zone without a story? Not for me. For 2014, I’ve dusted off my reading diary. How many books will I read for pleasure this year?

Write, Work, Walk, Workshop, and Read – my 4 Ws and an R.

What letters work for your life?

Happy 2014!

Ramona

The Sacred Writing Time Pledge 2014

by Ramona DeFelice Long

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. 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.

.

The Sacred Writing Time Pledge

 

I ____________ (<-your name) do solemnly swear to devote _________ amount of time each day to Sacred Writing Time. That means no one and nothing disturbs this time, including myself.

I will work at __________ (<-location). When you, the undersigned, see me at this location, you will respect my Sacred Writing Time and not disturb me unless there is blood flowing from multiple places on someone’s body.

Signatures: __________________(<-yours) _________________________(<-your family’s)

.

Best of luck to all of you in your writing endeavors for 2014!

Ramona

The Sacred Writing Time Pledge

by Ramona DeFelice Long

Writers write. Writers who get published complete work and submit that work to agents and editors. It’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.

For 2012, consider taking this pledge:

I ____________ (<-your name) do solemnly swear to devote _________ amount of time each day to Sacred Writing Time. That means no one and nothing disturbs this time, including myself.

I will work at ___________________ (<-location). When you, the undersigned, see me at this location, you will respect my Sacred Writing Time Pledge and not disturb me unless there is blood flowing from multiple places on someone’s body.

Signatures: __________________(<-yours) _________________________(<-your family’s)