#WordsFirst

Recently, I have realized something about my writing process. In order for it to happen, it needs to happen first.

Seems simple enough, right?

Why then, do I keep trying to convince myself otherwise? I will settle in for a writing session and think, “let me answer a few emails first,” or “I need to look up the name of that street I mention in chapter 5,” or “a quick scroll through instagram/facebook/twitter before I start” – well, 9 times out of 10, those few emails snowball into more emails, looking up the street name leads down a research rabbit hole, and we all know there is no such thing as a “quick” scroll on social media. So what happens? My writing time gets derailed, my word count goes nowhere, and my frustration with myself soars.

Yet, despite all this, the next time I sit down to write – guess what happens again?

Yep.

This has to stop – and the only way I can make it stop is by following one simple (I won’t say easy, because it’s not) rule: WORDS FIRST.

When it’s time to write, then that’s what I should be doing, period. Anything else has to come later, whether it be necessary (replying to important emails), or not (surfing pinterest for pics of my latest hero inspiration when I’ve already pinned two dozen).

I have to make it a mantra I repeat – words first.

I need to make it a mission I remind myself of each day – words first.

Once I hit my daily word count goal, I can choose to keep going, or take a moment to do those “other things.” Those other things can wait, my word count can’t.

So today, March 1st, I am launching a personal kick-in-the-pants to keep me on task: #WordsFirst

If you struggle to make time for your story, if you find yourself getting trapped in the same internet webs or falling down rabbit holes, you are welcome to join me. We can kick each other in the pants.