Some people manage to write a lot of memoir text during the same time that others hardly produce anything.
Often, those who don't write have really valid reasons: company to cook for and entertain, a bad cold, "the kids are in drama workshops and I have to taxi them around," "the computer wasn't working all week," etc.
It comes down to: they really "tried," but you know how it is, they didn't get to write a single word.
Others who are producing memoir text, however, are saying, "I want this memoir finished by [a specific date] and so I got up earlier every day to write while I had company.
" Or, "When I drove my son to his practice, I brought my laptop with me and I wrote while he was playing.
" Are you noticing is that there is world of difference between "trying to do" something and "doing" something? Here's a story.
One time at a meeting, a woman was asked if she would bring the refreshments for the next meeting.
She answered she was "going to try.
" The group leader said to her, "Phyllis, I didn't ask you if you would 'try' to bring refreshments.
I asked you if you would bring them or not.
" I suppose you get the point! Are you a person who is trying to write your memoir or are you a person who is writing it? Your family will likely be left without your memoir if all you do is "try.
" EXERCISE 1.
Commit yourself today to a writing schedule by selecting times and days when you will write--not try to write but write.
2.
Honor these appointments with your writing as you would any other appointment.
You don't try to keep your appointment with the dentist, do you? 3.
Do not allow yourself to slip into "trying"--ever.
Notice your hesitation, your reversals.
What are they telling you not only about your motivation but perhaps about your subject matter and your readiness to deal with it.
Sometimes trying to is a message that we are not yet ready.
4.
Writing success is a choice you can make.
It is a choice that is made day after day and one which is always subject to atrophy.