In my first book, Writer Mama, How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids (Writer’s Digest Books 2007) I said, “Writing is a rhythm, not a formula.”
What I meant is: Writing success comes from finding your rhythm, not following someone else’s formula.
In a recent interview over at Key Business Partners, LLC, I said: “Writing career success is all about finding your rhythm and then repeat, repeat, repeat.”
In 2010, I wrote a column for “The Writer Mama” e-zine on the topic of mom writers finding their success rhythms across all the kinds of tasks that mom writers must focus on, which include Craft, Pitching, Platform-building, and Professional Development.
So do you think I think that every writer needs to find his or her own rhythm in order to be successful?
Yes. I think that’s pretty obvious.
I have my own rhythm, you have your own rhythm, and I really don’t believe that any two rhythms are alike. I just know that a writer has got to find her rhythm and then groove in it.
But never has it been as clear to me how true this is than when I watch the participants in my Dream Teams, writing for publication and platform practice groups that began in January.
As soon as someone checks in with the group, I can tell if this person has found her rhythm and if she is groovin’ it or if she’s still struggling to find her rhythm.
You want to know why?
Because a person who has found her rhythm has momentum and a person who hasn’t found their rhythm is always trying to get some momentum going.
Now, don’t think I can’t relate to needing/wanting/trying to get momentum going. We just moved and I have been missing my momentum for a couple of weeks now.
But here’s the thing about momentum, once you’ve had it, and experienced your own groove for any length of time, it’s easier to get it back when and if you lose it.
Let me rephrase that: if you are a writer mama, you will lose your rhythm at some point. This is practically a given. You might lose your writing rhythm, your pitching rhythm, your platform-building rhythm, or your professional development rhythm–you might even lose them all at the same time, as I have recently.
But the good news is, once you’ve had any of those, you can quickly pick them right back up and move forward again. Because you know what it feels like. You have the muscle memory to get yourself back into your groove.
The purpose of my Dream Teams is to help writers find, experience, and sustain their own momentum for a sustained period of time. And then they really don’t need me busting their chops any more. At least not for awhile, because once you’ve got rhythm, you’ve got it.
And I love that. Because I am not in the business of trying to get writers hooked on me or addicted to me or thinking that I am going to be their ticket to success.
No. I am very clear. And I have always been clear that you are the ticket to your own success. The only thing I can do for you, as a teacher, is help you find your groove. And then you are on your way…
How about you? Got rhythm? Share your thoughts.
P.S. This post undoubtedly contains typos. I just moved. Cut me some slack in this department, please. 😉
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Hi Christina,
I loved how you played with the lines from that song! I so agree with you; when I find my rhythm, everything falls into place—“hums”. And when it doesn't, well, I take a break and reassess. For me, structuring my day, week and month really helps.
Judy
Thank you for the insight — I understand.
What an energetic post! My fave part: finding your own way, not someone else's ….yes!
Yes, all true… repeat, repeat and repeat some more… until that rhythm changes, and over time it will. The trick then becomes to sense/hear/feel the change and honor it rather than fighting it… I'm a grandmother now… just to qualify myself.
This is SO true! Every writer has their own rhythm (which is why I hate those articles that say you must do it this way or that way). And most importantly, if your a “writer mama” you WILL lose your rhythm. I've had a serious of sick/injured kids that needed my attention more than anything else at that particular time. But I've learned that those times will come and that I WILL get back in my rhythm. It's nice to see an article supporting that for all the moms who write, and then are discouraged when life “gets in the way”. Thanks for your insight!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Judy. 🙂
Thanks, Kat. I appreciate your appreciation. 🙂
I love that comment, “I'm a grandmother now…just to qualify myself.” Good for you, Ann. 🙂
I've got a sick kid home myself today…and I'm amazed I haven't had more sick days this school year. We did all get “shots” this year, so maybe those darn things really work. Back to what you said, Kimmer. It's true that the only really constant is change. And if it isn't constant, then maybe something is wrong. 🙂
One of the reasons I AM a writer is because no other job would work around my family's health problems … 3 out of 4 of us have ongoing conditions and my two daughters are absent do to illness an average of 20 days a year each. There are times when I can't get anything done, and other times where I write like mad for several days straight … and that works for me.
Oh, my! I just re-read my post and am horrified that I had an improper use of your (instead you're)! I also had a “series of sick/injured kids” (one of which was actually serious), but not a “serious of sick/injured kids”. Both are perfect examples of losing your rhythm by working while tired and your kids are talking to you at the same time. It's kind of anal, but I even proof my facebook posts!
That's “due” to illness … I really need to stop typing and get some sleep!
hey, kids at home means you're earning grandparenting… it's great!