writerspathway

Assuming the new role of entrepreneur while pursuing a career as an artist (writer) can be the biggest challenge for those of us whom are not naturally gifted at business matters. Now I have the ability to be free of the day job if not permanently often for extended periods of time. This has brought forth the realization that I am the person who must determine my time utilization and all other matters related to operating a successful enterprise. I am accustomed to arriving at work and having my duties assigned to me rather than having to structure my day and then needing the discipline to complete my assigned tasks.

For those of us who are not naturally aggressive at promoting ourselves managing the marketing portion of our artistic careers can present issues. My writers group has been the major source of support in this regard and their suggestions on how to utilize the resources available on LinkedIn. I am learning to keep learning and not to wait for inspiration but rather to find of method of generating it from within. This can be as simple as sitting at the workstation and having a plan for the day.

Having had much free time over the last couple of years I realize that the major impediment to progress is not planning my day and the calendar and timer are tools for this issue. Using a daily planner I can commit to a block of time which gives me the structure necessary stay on a course. This means at the end of the day I have completed some work which provides momentum for the next day rather than waiting for the inspiration to magically appear and allowing the day to pass with little or no work done. Also, reviewing weekly and on a monthly basis what I have accomplished keeps me on the pathway to progress, and noting my successes builds confidence in my ability to stay the course in anticipation of a reward. The reward may be nothing more than having completed the tasks initially while a financial reward is the long term goal.

The freedom of being a writer has always had an appeal to me and I now realize that this consists of also being an entrepreneur. The awareness that freedom only comes through self-discipline and consistent planning and follow through is evident to me after having had much free time and initially not having a system to take advantage of the time.

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This may not be a formal book review but just mentioning the name James Patterson is an attention getter so I will write what I recall about this memoir by Mr. Patterson and how it correlates with my situation as a writer or aspiring writer whichever I am. If I complete this blog that will make me a writer so I will attempt to do so for the title if no other reason. His name drew my attention at the local library because he has sold millions of books and for those unaware he began his career at an advertising agency in New York City.

This is my first read of any of Mr. Patterson’s books and it has made me anxious to pursue more of his work. He writes with an easy to read style for this volume with a flow of his life experiences which are notable for the era in which he came of age (he born 1947 me 1952). He grew up on the Hudson River not far from Manhattan and thus is more comfortable with all NYC has to offer than me although not entirely as he states in this volume. I will not reveal the details because for anyone whom aspires to be a writer this is a book on how to be a successful writer in my opinion and the common factors throughout are labor and persistence. His method has worked and I feel this volume will inspire me to do what I have been attempting to do, and that is gain a passion for daily writing. Having always wanted to be a writer and not having any other skills it could be an income supplement or a method to earn a living; I would be thankful for either.

He uses thoughtful preparation before starting a project which he outlines in the book, outline being the key word as this is his starting point. Okay I will give some details. The theme to success as is brought forth in this volume once again is discipline or that was the notable point for me, so notable that I am inclined to repeat it. He possesses a self-discipline with an obsessive need to write, I am seeking this spirit and can learn from masters such as Mr. Patterson. When the spirit moves me and I am able to direct my attention to the work then it is possible for me to enter the dimension whereby I can be creative and am in my element. And like many writers am able to express myself through words more ably than thru verbal speaking skills.

On a personal note we do have some issues in common in that we are both sons of World War Two vets although his father went on to earn a four year degree and my Dad was a high school dropout. We both graduated from faith based colleges and he appears to be grounded in faith while I am still struggling with mine. In reading of his success and all that it has generated in his life one could become envious but I will use his work as motivation. Not to become the next James Patterson but to become the first Stephen Barber.

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