Guest Post: Judi Moreo

Guest Post: Judi Moreo

Judi Moreo is an author, speaker, publisher and business woman.  Her books include “Life Choices:  Navigating Difficult Paths,” a compilation of short stories of hope from 26 inspirational speakers; her best selling, “You Are More Than Enough:  Every Woman’s Guide to Purpose, Passion, and Power” and it’s companion, “Achievement Journal,” “Conquer the Brain Drain:  52 Creative Ways to Pump Up Productivity” and many more.  In addition, she has contributed short stories to newspapers, magazines, and three of HCI Publications Ultimate books…including “The Ultimate Mom”,  “The Ultimate Cat Lover” and “The Ultimate Bird Lover.”  You can visit Judi at www.judimoreo.com or the book’s website at www.lifechoicesbook.com.

Writing Takes Discipline

By Judi Moreo

“I need to take some lessons in writing because the inspiration just isn’t coming to me.”  That is a comment my sister made yesterday as we were talking about writing.  She started her book eight years ago.  It is still not finished.  I have written and had published nine books since she began.  Why was I able to make it happen and she hasn’t?  Because I followed the advice of many writers and authors...”Write every day.”

Although there are certainly skills, tools, and techniques that can be learned in order to develop our talents, writing is about writing.  Inspiration comes when we are writing.  The more we write the more inspired we become.   Writing takes discipline.  Sticking to a routine of writing every day is difficult because life happens.  People want us to do other things many of which need to be done.  I get up early, while the world around me is still very quiet and I write.  Sometimes I write for newspapers, sometimes for magazines, sometimes I write a new book, but every morning I write…before the world starts tugging at me. 

Writers need to be good at telling a story, whether it is fiction with a plot, characters, setting, dialogue, etc or it is non-fiction self help like I focus on, a story brings the point to life.  People remember stories especially good stories…stories that touch their hearts.  Stories can be found everywhere in ones own life.  Observe what goes on around you every day.  Write about what you know and what you recognize in others.  Research, research, research.  If you have the ability to learn and we all do, then you will be able to find plenty of things to write about.  Don’t wait for inspiration to come along and hop on you.  It doesn’t happen like that.  Write and you will become inspired.

Don’t become obsessed with the words you use.  Just tell the story.  Tell it in a way that sounds as if you are talking with someone.  Tell it like you would tell it to a friend.  Be aware, however, that grammar is important and should be used correctly unless the character in the story is one that would use grammar incorrectly.  Keep in mind the rule that the shorter the story, the more important the words.  In a longer story, you have more time to make a point.  In a shorter story, every word counts.

You can always make revisions.  Write first, then revise.   Just remember that at some point you have to stop the revisions and see if you can find a publisher.  Once published, it becomes easier to get published the next time and the next…. as long as you keep writing, that is!