Focus on Your Story

 Focus

on

Your

Story

We as writers often look upon a published book in both awe and misery. We're fascinated by what we read while wondering what we can do to be as good as the author whose book we bought. This is no way to go about being a writer. None of us know how long it took for that book to see the shelves. None of us know how many times the author had to query, edit or start from scratch to make the story possible.

Writing like life is a journey. The destination doesn't actually exist because its an ever changing, ever moving process. If you're currently working on a first draft while reading a classic like Dune, don't wonder about how Frank Herbert wrote it. Just take note that if he could see his book published then so can you and write. Focus first on the story and characters until you've reached your desired word count. And then go technical. Look for issues from grammar, to continuity, to names changes. All these elements should be your prime focus before ready for betas and critique partners.

Another way to focus on your story is to spend less than thirty minutes on social media a day. The platforms making up it are filled with only what people want you to see. There are those on such platforms that will make up rules for writing that tell you what you have permission to write. Don't listen. Write what you want to see in bookstores. Help advice does exist in the digital writing community but take it with a grain of salt. It's ultimately up to you to figure out what helps you best. Its also up to you to make the big choices in your writing journey and not just follow the inn crowd.

Finally, keep yourself healthy when focusing on your writing. Coffee is the usual fuel source for creatives, but instead, try tapping into noncaffeinated alternatives. Allow yourself a break every few hours. And if you need a snack fruit beats junk food any day.