A story idea can tumble easily from your head to paper, or it can take a couple (or more) earth-rotations around the sun.

It takes time to commit your thoughts to story form, but you know what else it takes?

Courage.

If you’re brand new to writing, you have no idea of the courage you’re going to need.

But the more you write, the more you know.

What’s the best way to gather up that courage?

Know the steps to crafting a great story.

You can search the internet for best practices.

Take a Parks and Rec class.

Hit the library for writing craft books.

Check out local college offerings, talk to friends, and read, read, read.

So many rabbit holes and so little time.

Sometimes the various writing-craft webinars, etc., contradict each other.

Some of them suggest, yes, do that, but also do this, this and this…and by the way, toss out your thesaurus, and read more stories, but not too many stories or your writing runs the risk of sounding like what’s already published.

Wait.

Is all that true?

When you’re learning from multiple sources, it’s really difficult to know whom to trust.

I think when you’re learning to write, you should treat it like getting a medical diagnosis.

You get the opinion of one doctor, and then if you have doubts, you get a second opinion.

Maybe even a third.

But do you keep getting opinions?

No.

At some point, you have to trust someone.

Same with learning to write stories.

Don’t check out everyone’s how-to webinar.

You will make yourself nuts trying to learn from every source available.

Plus, you will be so busy learning, you won’t have any time to write.

Choose one or two sources—and trust them.

Write your story.

Polish your story.

Then, hopefully, publish your story or send it on its querying journey.

Put it out there.

Show your work.

Congratulate yourself.

Throw yourself a party.

Now begin something new.

Take advantage of all that knowledge in your head.

You’ve got this.

Enjoy another ride around the sun.

~ Gail

(Tick tock)

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