1. A notebook: paper or virtual.
2. Something to write with: his own hands, a pen, a stylus, a keyboard.
3. Sleep: You can cheat short term, but long term, this one is crucial!
4. Desire: And a good night’s rest supports your passion–see #3.
5. Time: Yes, we all have this. It’s just how we choose to use it. You have 24 hours, just pick one or a half or a quarter.
6. Belief in herself: okay, most people doubt themselves to some extent. Just fake it till you make it. Somewhere deep inside you is belief. Keep showing up until doubt becomes belief and then transcends to knowing. Repeat.
7. Trust: Without trust you try to control. And you never get to the juicy stuff. let it all out on the page. You can pick through to discover the juicy stuff later.
8. Source: This is where the juicy stuff comes from. Good news–it’s part of all of us. You don’t need to strive here. Just discover.
9. Fans: Before you have fans, you need to be your first fan–or at least your advocate and cheerleader. Go, team, go.
10: A Place to Write: A comfy chair, a grassy spot in the sun, a dock along the river, a sun-filled porch. Go–find your spot and write.
11. A copy of Get It Done: From Procrastination to Creative Genius in 15 Minutes a Day by Sam Bennett. Don’t have a copy? Add to my “things a writer needs list” as a comment below and the best answer will receive a free copy! (others can buy it here or other online booksellers).
12. Guidance: Join me and Sam Bennett on March 18 for a free teleseminar: Jump Start Your Book: 3 Insider Secrets to Easily Write & Finish Your Book This Year!
On the call, you will discover:
- The secret to getting started, staying motivated and finishing your best book in record time.
- A fool-proof formula for finding time to write, no matter how busy you are.
- How to have fun and stay connected to your inspiration throughout your book-writing journey.
- And more.
And, we’re giving away prizes on the call! CLICK HERE to reserve your seat.
Something else a person needs is to control the amount and type of sound in their surroundings. Some people need silence, some people need quiet background movement like in a coffee shop, while others can only write with their favorite music playing in their iPod. To me, sound is such an important part of getting “in the zone” of creative writing.
Sarah, that’s a great one–and so personal. I need it super quiet. Even music disturbs me. My husband and sons love music when they’re creating.
A heart to impact lives positively: I see some writers all they are interested in is making money from their books and getting NYT bestseller but these are ephemeral. What should matter most to a writer is “will my work impact lives?” once the question gets a yes, money and fame will surely come your way.
Sister Lisa, thanks for sharing your wisdom with us.
I have always wanted to write a book, but have not, now I have retired having a time trying to fine time!!!!!–but still have so many things going on in my mind, but difficulty weeding out where to start—do you have any suggestions as to how to do this???
Joy, Join us for the free class March 18: Jump Start Your Book. It’s a great place to start. Click here.
Joy, were you on the call? Did it help you weed out where to start?
As always, good, practical tips on how to increase our odds to write meaningful pieces. I used to neglect the sleep part but I would say that being well rested and avoiding too much coffee ranks high on my personal list. And the notebook. Now that we are using our laptops, tablets and smartphones, paper is a must when we want to let our thoughts go free.
Thank you, Lisa for summarizing the most important things writers need.
I think the biggest thing a writer needs is the willingness to endure. There will be successes and fails, rejections and acceptances. But you must endure through the fails and rejections to get to the successes and acceptances.
Yes, Justin, the inner resources are even more important than any of the outer ones!
Hooray for Justin! I hope you enjoy “Get It Done: From Procrastination to Creative Genius in 15 Minutes a Day” and that it serves you well. Thanks so much for sharing the book, Lisa! Yours, Sam.
Good Afternoon Lisa, I am in all hopes,that this class will be recorded, being I work 2nd Shift. Thank you for your response. 😉
Yes, it will, Renee. Just sign up for it and you will get the link to the recording the next day. Just, only those on the call will be eligible to win the prize.
Well, so many great answers it’s hard to choose but Justin, I chose you for the free copy of “Get it Done” for pointing out the importance of inner resources. Send me your mailing address and I will mail you the winning copy.
YAY! So many great answers and insights — thank you so much for sharing them. Best of luck to all of you. – Sam.