{"id":22079,"date":"2019-09-04T03:00:07","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T10:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=22079"},"modified":"2019-09-10T19:46:49","modified_gmt":"2019-09-11T02:46:49","slug":"expectations-vs-what-is-by-beth-barany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2019\/09\/04\/expectations-vs-what-is-by-beth-barany\/","title":{"rendered":"Expectations vs. What Is by Beth Barany"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Expectations<\/a><\/p>\n

Do you have unrealistic expectations with your writing?<\/p>\n

In my conversations with writers this week, one theme kept coming up.<\/p>\n

“I thought writing the first draft would be easier by now.”<\/p>\n

“I have unrealistic expectations all the time. That makes it so hard to write anything much.”<\/p>\n

“Why does editing my novel take so long?”<\/p>\n

My first response to each of these writers was, “I know how you feel.”<\/p>\n

Because I do. I’ve experienced it all and seen many writers go through the same experiences.<\/p>\n

Every first draft is challenging because each one is new.<\/p>\n

Every time you sit down to write be open to the now and open to what is ready to emerge. Write that.<\/p>\n

And editing a novel takes as long as it takes, and there’s only one way to speed up the process — and that’s spend more time and address each issue with a singular focus.<\/p>\n

Our Expectations<\/h2>\n

Our expectations of how the writing process\u00a0should be\u00a0ruins our ability to engage with what’s right in front of us.<\/p>\n

To be more productive, more creative, and more emotionally connected to your writing, practice being with what is — your emotional, mental, and physical state — with an open heart and a clear gaze.<\/p>\n

Some call it beginner’s mind or zen mind. Some call it the openness of a child. Whatever you call it, adopt a stance of being curious about what is ready to be birthed from the chrysalis of your imagination.<\/p>\n

And trust.<\/p>\n

Trust what arises, what flows onto the page.<\/p>\n

Our creativity and our stories come from the Great Mystery and we are blessed to be able to bring them into form.<\/p>\n

“…be grateful for our good moods and graceful for the low ones…”<\/p>\n

(From\u00a0https:\/\/fraukesworld.com\/become-aware-of-your-moods\/<\/a>, adapted from\u00a0Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff<\/i> by Richard Carlson<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Upcoming Workshop<\/h2>\n

Wednesday, Sept. 11, 7-9pm<\/strong>:\u00a0I\u2019m excited to present to the Napa Valley Writers, a branch of the California Writers Club:\u00a0\u201cEssential Keys to Story Planning.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this talk, I’ll help you brainstorm the steps to create your novel\u2014from character development to plot structure to story themes and world building\u2014so you can start writing your novel with clarity and confidence.<\/p>\n

Hope you can join us!<\/p>\n

Registration details here:\u00a0http:\/\/<\/wbr>napavalleywriters.net\/<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u2665<\/p>\n

More upcoming events and workshops are listed\u00a0here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Registration Open for Plan and Write Your Novel: 60-Day Challenge<\/h2>\n

After 5 years of teaching 2 courses in the fall, this October Ezra and I are doing something a little differently. We’re combining our planning course with our writing support group for one course:\u00a0Plan and Write Your Novel: 60-Day Challenge<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Are you ready?<\/p>\n

This course comes with weekly support and teaching calls, over 30 lessons with lifetime access, a private community of your peers, and 2 experienced teachers working alongside you.<\/p>\n

Write the novel you’ve aways dreamed of writing.<\/p>\n

We have some fun bonuses this year:<\/strong><\/p>\n