Did You Write It Down?

Another Nanowrimo is coming to an end, that’s the national novel writing month, were you a part of it this year? I typically spend the month blogging about writing, I didn’t this year, partially because I was writing. However I wanted to take a moment and speak to those who desire to write.

Are you interested in writing? Perhaps you’ve lost the passion to write your story, or are just facing obstacles completing it? If you are struggling with writing I have a few suggestions for you.

The first and most important is that you are not alone. Many of us fought for years to complete our first book, it doesn’t mean you won’t succeed, or that you shouldn’t write. It doesn’t mean your idea isn’t wonderful, or that your story isn’t important. It only means you’re not finished yet.

Yet, your effectiveness today, will determine your success tomorrow. Whether it’s a word, a sentence, or only a thought you have today, write that down today. Find a notebook, call it your idea vault or something that sticks in your mind, fill it with little things that you think are too small to do anything with.

What we view as small today, may one day impact thousands of people. For example, improving on the candle may seem like a small idea, unless your name was Thomas Edison. Light in the home was a revolution, but Edison wasn’t the only one pursuing it. However because he never gave up, like his invention, Edison is a name known in most households.

The point is, you don’t have to write a book in one sitting, you just have to write an idea that is retrievable. It’s not enough to write it down, you need a system to retrieve it. Whether that’s a notebook, a note app, or voice recording software, save your ideas.

While many books were written as a result of Nanowrimo, many were not. You have not missed your window to write, it’s just on a different timeline. Some books are written quickly, others take time. As long as we take the time to write them. That idea you had that made you smile, did you write it down?