do the work

The Power Of Planning

Now after the pace of NaNoWriMo, I’m sure that planning is the last thing that you desire to do. Yet, as a writer, this is what we do–often. Even when we don’t think about it! Planning is the thing that we do in order to make writing easier, stronger and less stressful! Planning is not a nebulous thing though, it requires tools and investment. Yes, investment. Planning takes many forms as well! This can be in the form of outlining, free writing and even a file to store research info! What I want to remind you of is this:  talent is not enough. Talent, no matter how great, still requires discipline and a map. Planning, no matter how minute, will give you a map! This map is needed to create what you need to write as you so desire. It allows you to use wisdom with a most valued commodity–time. If you decide to continue a project, or even begin one, and to adhere to deadline, you need a plan. Time is not always on a writer’s side, so you need to make it bend to your will–by pen and plan.

Encouragement Pages-09/16/2020-Begging For Support

Writing, deciding to pursue a career as a writer, can be quite lonely. It can be fraught with obstacles and people, but the saddest thing that can happen is the lack of support.

There will be people on this journey that will speak like into you, and remind you of the amazing artist that you are. There will also be people who will think you are insane for writing–for becoming a writer!

And the most comforting thing a writer will want is the assurance that someone is in our corner to support. Yet, I want you to remember one thing:

Be comfortable with the silence.

Be comfortable with the silence of the people that should shout for you.

Be comfortable with the whispers and texts of people whom would never support you in public.

Be comfortable with the fact (not the idea!) the fact that there are people who think you are wasting you time.

Take all of this into consideration, and do it anyway.

I believe in you. No you go and do likewise.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Encouragement Pages-09/09/2020

There is a power to storytelling. There is a skill to storytelling as well. This is one of the skills you must develop as a writer! Storytelling is an art, a skill, and a talent.

Begin to develop this talent.

Embrace this flexibility of your talent–it is needed and you will never regret it.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Encouragement Pages-06/29/2020

Your talent is the coin of the realm, a saving grace to the gloom of a bland world.

Flex the muscles, dear ones.

Write the pages, word by word.

Don’t fear the letters your hands have mastered!

Don’t fear the words that may be misspelled!

Fear the destruction of the worlds which will be destroyed if you do not write them down.

Fear NOT writing more than writing. It will always be more scary to begin than to end.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Encouragement Pages-01/24/2020

Be gentle with yourself today.

The work in progress is called this for a reason. The progress in this work can be incremental—but do it. No matter how small or insignificant.

Do the work.

Happy, loud or sad, but do it.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Encouragement Pages-12/02/2019

There are 29 days until the end of the year.

You have 29 days to start, revamp, revise and rewrite your WIP or begin another one!

Don’t make the mistake of trying to put off the writing due to the lateness of the hour. There will never be a great time to write. That is why you make time to write.

Make the time.

Take the time.

Make up the time.

Get to work.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Encouragement Pages-11/18/2019-The Wisdom Of James Arthur Baldwin (1)

I am a fan of James Baldwin. And adamant follower of his gift, life and teachings. From that well of wealthy knowledge, I remind you as a writer, just as Baldwin would:

Do you work.

Your writing is your work. It is your job as a waking recorder of the world, to report what you see.

Do it crying, flinching or screaming. But do it.

That is your job…and no one can do it for you.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Encouragement Pages-11/06/2019

James Baldwin reminds writers, poets and other creative people to ‘do you work.’ The elephant in the room is that he never says how.

I believe that he didn’t want to give us [as writers] a map because we all have a different job–a different assignment.

The trick is to find out what that assignment, that mission is–and be daring enough to do it.

What part of writing are you drawn to?

Are you rapt by poetry and prose or is it non-fiction? Do you want to do plays and film or essays?

There is more than enough work to do, more than enough languages to do it. But, you must do the work, loves. You must do the work.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris

Encouragement Pages-11/04/2019

There are so many people that go through this life and never leave a record. Don’t be one of those people.

If you call yourself a writer, part of that job is to leave record of thought or moments.

Don’t fear that title. Don’t fear that responsibility. Don’t fear the words or what you will make them say.

You can do it.

With Love & Ink,

JBHarris