I had a few rough ideas of what I’d like to accomplish for the NAIWE 2010 Get it Done Summer Challenge. If you haven’t checked it out, the three parts of the Challenge are:

1. Read three books that will stretch your mind and inspire your creative spirit.
2. Finish one project that’s been nagging at you for longer than you care to admit.
3. Brainstorm a new project that will bring you an additional stream of income, then take the first step to make it happen.

I read Sheri McConnell’s Smart Women Know Their Why (reviewed here) for the first of my three books, and have a teetering stack from which I can choose the remaining two official Challenge books. This is the easiest part, because I know that before summer is over, I’ll have read quite a few more than three books. I schedule morning and evening reading times so that I can bracket each day in knowledge, inspiration, and sometimes, just plain fun. Read more…

I tweeted many of the tidbits I picked up during the conference, but several things have lingered with me. Here are a few of them: Read more…

She writes:

“…Writing is, at the most fundamental level, about freedom.
Countries that wish to restrict the freedoms of its citizens
invariably get around to restricting the freedoms of writers.  One
of those things that I DO take for granted is the freedom to write
what I want, without fear of having someone knocking on my door
late at night — or worse, without the fear that someone has a
right not only to knock but to enter, without a warrant or anything
resembling “just cause.”

Governments that don’t like freedom don’t like writers — because
writers have this nasty tendency to tell the world all about what
their governments are doing.  Frankly, I sometimes get tired of our
press complaining nonstop about our government — but I will never
get tired of the fact that the press CAN complain!

There is no power on earth as important as the freedom to be able
to say, and write, whatever you wish.  There is no gift so great
for writers to celebrate in this holiday season as the freedom that
we have, at least in this country, to WRITE.  That freedom means
that we have the power to speak up about things that we don’t like
– and the power to demand and make changes to the world in which
we live.  It is the gift that makes the difference between being
“citizens” rather than “subjects.”  Many of us may never feel the
need to exercise the full power of this gift, but we should never
forget that we have it.  And we should also never forget those who
don’t.

It’s also something that we can pass on.  Whenever you help someone
develop their writing skills — whether it’s your own child, or a
total stranger that you’ve met through an Internet writers’ group
– you’re passing on more than just the ability to craft a better
sentence.  You’re passing on a gift of freedom.”

Moira Allen is the editor of Writing World newsletter, and the manager of the enormous Writing-World.com website. I’m grateful for the opportunity to reprint her thoughts here.

The Practice of Gratitude by Christine Kane

Gratitude is more than being thankful one day a year. Gratitude is a practice. For some, it’s a way of life.

Why do some people swear by the practice of gratitude? Why do these people have joy-filled and abundant lives?

In other words, why does gratitude make you happy and wealthy?

• Because gratitude is about presence.

It’s about waking up in this moment and being here – really being here – and noticing what’s around you. Most people are so busy thinking about the next thing, or about their horrid past, that they don’t wake up and look around at their present moment – the only moment there is.

• Because gratitude is about honoring YOUR precious life.

Do you ever compare your life with someone else’s? Do you ever wish your life were better and more like [insert famous person's name here]? Sometimes we can lose ourselves in wondering how we “measure up” to some standard set by our families or by the media. Comparison is the mind killer. The antidote is gratitude.

Gratitude requires that you validate your own life. (And you really don’t have any other life, do
you?) It forces you to say YES to the gift that is you. The choices you’ve made and the changes you’ve gone through – they have brought you here. Even if here is a place that needs a little adjustment, that’s okay. There are always gifts in any present moment.

• Because gratitude is about attracting.

It’s difficult to attract abundance and joy if you are constantly saying “no” to what IS. You say “no” each time you focus on the future or past, or when you criticize something that is in your present moment.

Attraction is about saying Yes. When you say Yes, you shift.

Gratitude says, “Yes, I love this!” And then more of this is attracted, because the this is what you’re focusing on.

• Because gratitude is about choice.

How you translate any situation is the situation. What you choose to see is the truth (for you).

This isn’t proposing that you live in denial or phoniness. It’s reminding you that your translation of any life situation is your choice. We’ve all heard stories of people who have ignored others’ translations of their talent, their projects, their art, their looks, their lives. These people chose their own translations and succeeded. You always have a choice when it comes to how you look at things. Choose to choose gratitude.

• Because gratitude is about wisdom.

I think people believe they’re being smart if they criticize, complain, and focus on the problems of the world around them.

Smart? Maybe.

Clever? Sure.

But not wise.

It is wise to look for and find the knowing place in your heart. It is wise to choose joy. It is wise to honor your riches. It is wise to focus on and grow the blessings of your life.

• Because gratitude is about recognition.

Use your power of focus to hone in on beauty and on what makes your heart sing. Recognize the spirit in your life. It’s all around you waiting to be noticed. In the words of Franz Kafka, “It will roll in ecstasy at your feet.”

• Because gratitude is about receptivity.

Gratitude makes you receptive. It makes you a vessel, waiting to be filled.

I carry a tiny notebook with me everywhere I go. In it, I write down song ideas. I write down quotes I hear. I write down ideas for stage stories. As I do that, I become more receptive, and more ideas and songs come to me. It’s a tool that says to my subconscious, “Send more my way!” And the subconscious always responds.

Gratitude is the same way. It says, “I am receptive! Send more!” And more arrives.

• Because gratitude is about creativity.

Creativity is really all about attention. (So is genius.)
When I write a song, I build a relationship with that song. I spend time with it. I get to know it. I pay attention to it. Artists do the same thing with drawings. They spend time in rapt attention, and the drawing is born.

Gratitude is how we Live Creative. It is a creative act to notice and pay attention to the moments of your life. Some days it’s an enormous act of creativity to find things for which to be thankful.

Start today.

And have a Thanksgiving of presence, creativity, and gratitude!

Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her ‘LiveCreative’ weekly ezine with more than 8,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FREE subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

*Don’t miss our Annual Thanksgiving Membership Drive! Use Coupon Code 9A4DEC0 to get $27 off dues when you join before November 30, 2009.

“It just takes so long to get inspired…”

“I get stuck making the first paragraph perfect, and never get any farther.”

“I get this great idea, then the phone rings, and it’s my friend, and I end up going out and when I get back the idea is gone, and I don’t have anything to say.”

“There’s just not enough time. I get home from work, and it’s dinner, catch the news, work out, go out with friends, walk the dog, call my mom, whatever. There’s just not enough time to write.”

“When I write, I have to get my music going, light candles, make sure everything’s perfect, then I can get in the the mood, and it will all flow.”

“I can write pages and pages, and I know it’s good, so I don’t even have to go back to read it. Someday, I’m going to sit down and write a whole book.”

Anytime I hear a conversation about writing, I’m fascinated. Writing is my avocation– something I’ve done steadily since childhood, at one level or another. Although I started with some of the same ideas as the young people I overheard, I’ve since learned a few things.

If you wait for inspiration, you’ll never write anything.

If you stop to perfect the first paragraph, you’ll never get any farther.

If you don’t stop distractions, they will stop you.

If you don’t take the time to write, you’ll never be a writer. You have the same 24 hours a day that everyone else has. You choose how you’re going to spend it.

If you wait for the perfect mood, moment, and method, it’s likely that you’ll still be waiting when the undertaker arrives.

If you fall in love with your words as they spill unedited onto the page, you’ll never write well. An 1879 article from the New York Times (download in PDF) eloquently elaborates on Byron’s point that “easy writing is cursed hard reading.”

Almost anyone can learn basic writing skills; many people can learn to write well; a few will become writers. The foundation for each level of skill is not talent, but discipline. If you want to become a writer, you must do two things:

1. Write
2. Rewrite

It’s that simple. Sit down and write using whatever method is at hand. Don’t wait for a new computer, a soft leather notebook, new purple pens, 27 years of backstory, full biographies for all the supporting characters, the perfect name for your main character (just use “Fred” until inspiration strikes), complete details on the historical context, or the stars to align. Just sit down and write.

When you have written, it’s time to edit and rewrite. Evaluate your prose; cut the fat; sharpen your verbs, tighten the narrative. If you have trouble evaluating your own writing, find an editor that you can trust (search the NAIWE database), and get some feedback.

If you aren’t writing, you can’t be a writer, no matter what you

• want to do,
• plan to do,
• intend to do.

If you aren’t doing it, you aren’t a writer. If you want to write, sit down and write. That’s how Jane Austen did it. That’s how Victor Hugo did it. That’s how you’ll have to do it, if you really want to be a writer.

You may or may not have the creativity, knowledge, and skills needed to become an Edith Wharton or a C.S. Lewis, but if you have self-discipline to sit down and write, whether or not conditions are perfect, you’ll grow in the skills you need to become a writer.

Once you’ve learned how to be a writer, you’ll need to learn how to be published. But that’s a subject for another day. For now, you just need to write (and so do I). And if you wonder what kind of writer would get sidetracked with soft notebooks, purple pens, and ridiculous amounts of backstory, you’re looking at her. So yes, I’m preaching to the choir!

Ovenight Success stories at Crime Fiction Blog

We’ve all heard of the author who is an instant success. It’s enough to discourage anyone else who spends spare time writing, reading, writing, reading, writing in the hope of one day seeing the light of publication! Here is a collection of short narratives by over 60 authors, telling their “overnight success” stories. Some did experience almost overnight success, but others took a more leisurely path. The bottom line? They’ve all been published.

Seth Godin’s take on Overnight Success

Seth’s work is always thought-provoking, and in this post he suggests that “The goal, I think, is to be an overnight failure, but one that persists.” I have to agree!

Overnight Success in 4-1/2 Years

A story that appeared last week in The Globe and Mail (Toronto) tells the story of Peter Stebbings’ screenplay for Defendor.

Chris Brogan Takes on the Idea of Overnight Success (Part 1) (Part 2)

In two video posts (What it Takes to Be an Overnight Success and Overnight Success 2- A Call to Arms), blogger Chris Brogan assesses what goes with the idea of overnight success. He provides a clear look at what his life really looks like, makes it clear that this is what he signed up for, then challenges viewers to get in the game and make a difference for others.

Spotify Co-Founder: Notion of Overnight Success “Misleading and Harmful”

I know that the idea of overnight success can be discouraging, but in this post, Daniel Ek suggests that it can actually be harmful to a company’s chance for long-term success. Be careful what you wish for!

Guitar Hero is Another (10-Year) Overnight Success

 Don Dodge shares stories of Guitar Hero and iRobot, two “overnight successes.” He points out that Guitar Hero was the 9th video game produced by Harmonix, 10 years after founding the company, and that iRobot tried 18 different business models in 12 years before reaching the iRobot.

Overnight Success Takes Years

Don’t tell the guys at 37Signals that “you can’t get there because you don’t have a huge audience already.” They’ll tell you to stop whining and get busy, because that’s what it takes!

 The Long-term Downside of Overnight Success

“Easy come, easy go” is what my grandmother used to say when something happened too fast, and scholars at the Wharton School of Business have confirmed that there’s indeed something to that idea. This interesting post reports on a study that tracks the rate of adoption and abandonment of baby names, and the result suggests that the faster something becomes popular, the more quickly it’s dropped. Something to think about!

When I started thinking about this topic, I had no idea it was top-of-the-mind for so many people. There is much more to read on the topic if you like, but like me, you’d probably be better served by getting back to work and creating your own overnight success!

In my laborious little-kid longhand, I began to write. I started with stories (one of the first involved a precocious squirrel), but soon moved on to diaries, letters, and lists of more stories to write and then a little newspaper with hand-drawn illustrations (short-lived), and eventually articles, essays, and more.

The goal began as “writing what I wanted to read,” but the path became a process of doing it and teaching others to do it as well. The success I really wanted wasn’t solitary– it was success that brought others along for the journey. No matter where I’ve gone, or what my writing niche has been, my mission has included lighting lamps so that others could see more clearly as they traveled a similar path.

So maybe it’s too late to ever be an overnight success. But I’m not worried. The purpose that was planted when I was a child is still growing. There have been unexpected sprouts and blossoms along the way, and there have been seasons of drought, frost, and blight, but the roots are strong, and there are stories to tell. I’m here, I’m still moving, and authentic, creative, and abundant long-term success is where I plan to go.

Tip: If you ever want to see an otherwise articulate entrepreneur speechless, just compliment them on their overnight success.  

I’m not a strict constructionist, but to me, “overnight” has a meaning that simply isn’t congruent with success. Whether “success” is defined as having achieved a comfortable financial level and a certain amount of visibility and standing in a chosen field or publication by a prestigious publisher, success isn’t something that happens overnight.

What does success look like? 

• Success begins long before others wake up.
• Success begins with a dream, a plan, a strategy, and concrete goals.
• Success is built on a strong foundation of learning, growing, sharing, and giving.
• Success is starting, stumbling, stopping, and starting once again.
• Success doesn’t always depend on spectacular leaps, but upon the day-in, day-out doing of little things, and the readiness to make that spectacular leap when the opportunity arises.
• True success looks far ahead and does the thing that will matter in twenty years, rather than in twenty minutes, or twenty days.

The kind of success I’m interested in is the success that achieves balance between personal vision and professional mission. This sometimes means that visible overnight success takes longer to arrive, but when it does, it’s congruent with my deepest values. It’s that authentic, creative, and abundant vision that makes the journey worthwhile, and builds the kind of success I believe in.

Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession by Ann Rice

Flip! How to Turn Everything You Know on its Head –and Succeed Beyond Your Wildest Imaginings by Peter Sheahan

Discovering the Enneagram: An Ancient Tool for a New Spiritual Journey by Richard Rohr and Andreas Ebert

Talent is Never Enough by John Maxwell

What Not To Wear by Trinny Woodall & Susannah Constantine (I do enjoy these prescriptive tomes, if only for the delight of reading orders, then doing exactly as I please!)

And from the discard shelf, I bought:

Listen! The Wind by Anne Morrow Lindbergh (slipcased, like new, 50 cents)

Diary of a Left-Handed Bird Watcher by Leonard Nathan

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco (nice trade paperback to replace ratty one I already own, 25 cents)

The Young Visitors by Daisy Ashford (Preface by JM Barrie, copyright 1919, Ashford was purportedly 9 years old when she wrote this, and it started out quite amusingly)

The Republic of Tea: How an Idea Becomes a Business–Letters to a Young Zentrepreneur by Mel Ziegler, Bill Rosenzwieg, Patricia Ziegler

There are more, but I haven’t time to list them. I need to get outside and read a bit in the waning rays of the sun.

Imagine that, though…nourishment for mind, spirit, soul, and body– all for less than a boutique cup of coffee. Not that I’d refuse the coffee. But the library has FREE BOOKS! Why do I keep forgetting that? Go to the library, people. It’s where the smart stuff is!

Gardner responds by clearly reminding us all that we each create our own lucky breaks. She states, “You create the potential opportunities by networking with other writers and people in publishing. You create preparedness by being the best writer you can.” Yes! I can’t even begin to suppress the “I told you so!” that bubbled up as soon as I read this.

I’ve heard some people use the phrase “some people get all the breaks” as an excuse for lack of success, but really, it’s a success tip in disguise. Some people do get all the breaks, but that’s because they’ve positioned themselves well, they’ve honed their craft, and they’ve made the effort to network with others in their field. They didn’t wait for manna to fall from the sky; they went out and plowed the field and planted seed. What you do today will bear fruit in season.