![]() Have you seen the commercial that asks, "What if you could improve your health by eating one piece of kale? By doing one push-up?" If only maintaining health was that easy! What if your writing can be accomplished in just 10 minutes a day? This time, you really can. That's all it takes to get the manuscript written. In his book, Mini-Habits, Stephen Guise talks about overcoming procrastination and negative self-talk by setting a goal that is so ridiculously easy your brain won't balk at attempting it. Make it your goal to write 10 minutes a day. Set the timer. For 10 minutes, work on your story or take notes on your research. At 10 minutes--ding! You are done for the day! Many days, I feel like writing beyond the ding, but I don't have to. I've reached my goal. I'm golden. I'm pleased with myself. And little by little--day by day--I'm getting the work done. Give it a try. Attached is a calendar chart for you to reward yourself for writing just 10 minutes each day. Here's what you do: 1. Choose your color of star and click on it. 2. Click CTRL + C. 3. Click CTRL + V. 4. A duplicate star appears. Click and drag to the proper date square. 5. If you don't write one day, simply choose a happy face. That symbolizes that you are happy that tomorrow will be the day to try again. No beating yourself up. No negativity. Simply do 10 minutes the next day. I call this my Ten Minute Tenacity Chart. This is just one of the tips I present in my NF 4 NF (Nonfiction for New Folks) writer's conference session, "When Inspiration Isn't Enough." Here is a list of our conference's nonfiction writing sessions. Is this your year to write that true book? Do join us--September 22-25 in Rosenberg, Texas. Faculty includes Candace Fleming, Melissa Stewart, Nancy I. Sanders, Kelly Milner Halls, and Peggy Thomas. Attending this conference will be a huge jump start for your nonfiction writing. Can't attend? You can still complete your manuscript in a tenacious 10 minutes a day. Good luck! ![]()
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About MeAh, books. I never outgrew my love of children's books. My passion became a career--I was an elementary school librarian. And now I write books for kids! Categories
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Pat Miller * Author, Presenter, Writing Instructor * Richmond, TX
Header illustrations by Kathi Ember * Header design by Joe Kawano * Author photo by Ruth Rose Photography * c2021 NF 4 NF Logo designed by Karah Bradshaw. |