Writing tip #10: Adopt a positive mindset
On anxiety, your writing dreams, and the power of a positive mindset
Dear, dear readers,
Hi, everyone!
Wow, I want to thank all the new subscribers who joined over the past few months (welcome!!) and to all existing subscribers who are putting their trust in me and in this newsletter!
It’s been several months since I wrote here; during that time I have been thinking of you and I want to thank you for your patience. Even when I’m away from Doing the Write Thing and this supportive writing community, I feel appreciation for the gift that it is to have you choose to subscribe to this newsletter, which I hope helps support you on your writing journey.
If you want to skip ahead to writing tips, I hope today’s Writing tip #10: Adopt a positive mindset (below) helps you with wherever you’re at now with your writing. In case it’s helpful, I also want to mention that you can find all the Doing the Write Thing writing tips for multiple chapters (get it?) of your writing journey on this page. Thank you again, so much, for your patience, support and trust!
If you’re still reading this part, I’d like to share with you why I’ve been away from the newsletter so much this year.
Anxiety
Earlier this year, I started to feel really worried and it grew into anxiety. I was so worried I kept feeling worried and thinking about what made me feel worried, and I could feel the anxiety persisting day to day. I recognized that I needed to manage the anxiety better, so I shared my feelings with loved ones, I reached out to learn more from a counsellor, and I adjusted my focus so that I spent more time doing relaxing activities, which also means that I let go of any expectation to work on my newsletter. The anxiety was for an understandable reason and, after a few months, I got confirmation of reassurance, and I am EXTREMELY grateful.
For anyone who is experiencing anxiety or thinks they may be experiencing it, you do not have to feel anxiety alone. If you are feeling anxious or going through something, I encourage you to talk to someone. One of the things that gives anxiety power is when it roams unchecked; sometimes, just talking to someone can open the door to helpful, useful perspectives and support.
Anxiety can affect anyone and in different ways. Ryan Reynolds and several others with large platforms have spoken about their experiences with anxiety.
I don’t know if these words are enough to help if you’re feeling anxious, but I will try, because it’s important that you know you are not alone, that anxiety is something that can affect anyone, and that there are ways to get support.
Editing In Your Dreams
It’s happening! I’m closer to making In Your Dreams a writing dream come true. Okay, I wanted to make a pun there…more on this in the The Writing Life section below.
Scheduling
Sometimes things pop up and you may write less. There’s been so much going on lately that I haven’t had a consistent editing schedule, but tonight it is back!
I hope this newsletter reminds you that you are not alone and that it brings you some support, inspiration and motivation to keep writing!
~ Marisa
In this newsletter…
The Heart of Storytelling: You’ve probably heard it before, but the power of positive thinking is really helping me write more often and get closer to finishing my book, and I believe it can help you too!
The Writing Life: Updates on the editing status of In Your Dreams
Writers’ Corner: A great post by Erin Bowman on finding time to write
The Heart of Storytelling
This is where I’ll share writing, editing and publishing tips, based on my experience.
Writing tip #10: Adopt a positive mindset
Are you deep in a writing project, or thinking about starting one? Do you sometimes feel like you really want to take a giant leap forward with that story that’s on your mind?
As many of you know, I wrote my book In Your Dreams in 2006-2007. Since then I submitted it to several publishers, and it hasn’t been published yet, but so many supportive family members, friends and readers have cheered me on and offered feedback. After receiving a full manuscript edit from the wonderful Alisha Sevigny (whose books I love and whose editing style I greatly appreciate. Thank you, Alisha!) in 2016 and a super encouraging, MUCH-appreciated edit of my first chapter from Parker Peevyhouse (thank you, Parker!), I’ve finished editing almost my entire book.
I continue to believe so much in my since-childhood dream of publishing my stories. And I believe you can too. This may not sound brand-new, but it’s so true that it’s worth saying: adopting a positive mindset can really make a difference in helping you achieve your writing goals and enjoy your writing journey more.
How a positive mindset helped me write more
At the beginning of the summer, I realized that I wasn’t working on In Your Dreams often enough to send it out to literary agents/publishers soon. So, I told myself, “I’m going to work on it almost every day.” I pulled up one of my favourite notebooks, drew a table with two columns, labelled one column with the date and the other with a checkmark, and I simply decided to work on my book almost every day.
I know it cannot always be as easy as it sounds, but truly, for about 1-2 months, simply deciding to get to my book every day—even if only for a short editing session—worked!! I started working on In Your Dreams almost every day. I kept putting those checkmarks in my notebook each time I edited, and I felt so good working on my book so often. It also felt easier to be in the editing groove.
It’s important to repeat that I know it cannot always be as easy as it sounds. Trust me. For the past month, I’ve only sat down to work on In Your Dreams a few times! There’s been so much going on, and at the same time, I’ve kept my eyes on my book. You, too, can find your way back to your writing.
What’s been helping me lately is pulling up my manuscript on my phone and reading it, then emailing myself editing notes. This helps me feel connected to my book when I want to work on it for even a few minutes between activities, and it does really help me make progress with editing. Then, another time, I sit at my computer to bring the notes together and apply them, which is what I’m going to do right after I share this newsletter with you.
Thank you!
Thank you again so much for your patience! I really hope you’ve been doing well and that this writing tip helps bring some sunshine to your writing experience.
Please feel free to share about how your writing journey is going with our writing community in the comments.
The Writing Life
Just some quick notes here!
Truthfully, as I alluded to in The Heart of Storytelling, it’s been 3+ weeks since I had my routine of working on In Your Dreams about 3-4 evenings per week. Each week, something has come up (for example, my husband and I finally re-painted part of our house that had two different colours going on after a light renovation—oh, get it? Because the renovation involved installing new lights?—a few years ago). And I can feel it. I learned last year that writing helps me in more ways than I realized, and that I feel it when I’m not writing as much.
This week—today, actually—is my first return to my usual writing routine. I’m going to catch up on my editing notes and I’m SO excited to work on In Your Dreams!
Writers’ Corner
This is where we’ll gather around the virtual cozy fireplace to talk about writing and participate in fun writing exercises and contests!
I really like this recent newsletter post from Erin Bowman about finding the time to write. If you’ve read multiple Doing the Write Thing newsletters, you may recognize that we share some similar writing philosophies.
Erin talks about the importance of recognizing that everyone’s schedule and writing journey is different, and I hope you find some inspiration in her wonderful newsletter post for your writing too.
Thank you all again SO much for your support and patience. It truly means so much.
Health, well-being and following your heart are so important. I really hope this newsletter helps bring you support and that it also supports you on your writing journey.
Wishing you great writing you enjoy!