Friday, April 15, 2011

O is for Overcoming Obstacles

Lindi here.
ob·sta·cle [ob-stuh-kuhDescription: http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/dictionary/graphics/luna/thinsp.pngl] –noun.  something that obstructs or hinders progress.
o·ver·come [oh-ver-kuhm] -came, -come, -com·ing.    –verb (used with object)
1. to get the better of in a struggle or conflict; conquer; defeat: to overcome the enemy.


So here we have the dictionary definitions of our A-Z challenge O words. As writers how do we feel about these words?

Personally they drive me crazy. 
Mixing it up with the A-Z challenge is an overall theme of accountability. Although I’m not sure I’m the best person to be speaking on that aspect. I once told my father I was going to call one of those work from home places. He told me that was something I probably shouldn’t do.

I do have a problem with discipline.

I am a procrastinator. 

Yet there is a very ‘cool’ thing that happens when you are a writer. We’ll get to that ‘cool’ thing in a minute. After we figure out how to overcome the obstacles.

Obstacles are different for everyone. Everybody has their own lives. Some people have jobs outside the homes, some have children, husbands, families. Some people have all of those things. 
Others have deadlines, revising syndrome,(you know, you can’t quit revising long enough to send the manuscript out!), the I can’t finish it blues.

First you need to identify your obstacles. Identify what stops you from getting the manuscript out the door. 
(I promise I haven’t forgotten about the ‘cool’ thing. It’s coming!)


Then you put into motion the overcoming part. Like the dictionary definition says ‘to get the better of in a struggle or conflict.’
One of my biggest obstacles is time. I have a full time job away from my home. Some days I have a long way to drive and spend up to 4 hours on the road. I find it hard to write at night. The creativity doesn’t seem to be there. Now get me up at 4 a.m. and I can crank out some pages. 
Some ways I’ve made an attempt to overcome this obstacle are:
1.Rise early.
2.Learn to write in small segments. Let’s say I get up a little later than I want. I check my email, get my coffee, then look at the clock. Sometimes I only have 15 minutes before I have to get into the shower. I do something with those 15 minutes. I’m not going to lie-it was hard to learn. At first I felt I wasn’t making any sort of progress. But I was. Think on it like this-15 minutes a day for 5 days is 1 and a half hours. That’s more than you’d have if you didn’t do anything. And it adds up.

3.If I’m having trouble with a scene I print out what I have then take it to work with me. I leave it on my desk and think about it when I can. My mind can work on the scene while I’m on hold or if I’m waiting for my computer to do this or that.

4.If I’m at work, and something comes to me regarding my story, I quickly email it to myself. It’s a great jump start the next morning.

These are just a few small things that go a long way when it comes to adding words to your manuscript.
Okay, I think this post is getting a little long, and I really don’t do long posts, so I’m turning it over to you guys.

Oh, but wait—the ‘cool’ thing. Yeah, I did promise that, didn’t I?

The End.

Yep, The End. Typing those words is the ‘very coolest’ of all writerly things. I still remember typing those words for the first time over 12 years ago. I remember the feeling and I LOVE the feeling. I can’t wait to FEEL like that again.

Those words are my main motivation for overcoming obstacles and those words hold me accountable. 

Now I’ll turn it over to you. What are your obstacles? Have you tried overcoming? If not, what are some ways you can try? Or throw it out to us and we’ll all chime in!

Thanks for having me, Christy! I love your blog!

And remember-Happy Endings Are Just The Beginning :)

*************************

Thanks for being here, Lindi! What an awesome post! I need to heed every word!

Leave a comment to be entered to win Lindi's debut novel Her Best Catch.



About the Book:
Allison Doll's mother is rebelliously turning fifty, her two best friends have started dating and a gorgeous injured relief pitcher named Ashton Boyd has joined her Sunday school class, rocking her world into confusion, heartache and temptation, places she hasn't visited in a long time, much less all at once.

But with the help of family, old friends she really hasn't lost, a new friend she really can count on, and God, she begins to find out whether she'll always be a girl waiting for life to happen or a woman who's ready to commit to her best catch.






Lindi Peterson definitely believes happy endings are just the beginning. She lives out her real life romance with her husband in a small Georgia town. When she's not writing, she loves to read, bowl and spend time with her family. Read more about her at www.lindipeterson.com

25 comments:

Lorna Faith said...

Wow Lindi! Really admire you for working full-time and writing too...amazing! Thanks for sharing about overcoming obstacles:) My biggest obstacle I think is that I re-write and edit all the time...I don't know if that's perfectionism? Maybe it would help if I just wrote the thing and didn't do any 'editing' until 'The End!' I work part-time teaching voice from Sept. - April...so now I have time to put into getting this WIP finished! Like you said, the 'cool' thing will totally be those two words 'The End.'
That is a huge motivation for me to overcome my obstacles(which are many:(
Thanks so much for sharing your journey:)

I would love to be entered for a chance to win your book "Her Best Catch." Sounds like a great book!

lornafaith at gmail dot com

Ciara said...

I'm SO excited about Lindi's book! I know it's awesome. I'm also doing the A-Z challenge, but somehow I'm only on M today. :) I probably messed something up. LOL
Love the post!
Oh, and I'm a new follower. :)

Edwina said...

Lindi,

Fantastic post! I would love to read your book - it sounds awesome.

edwina(dot)cowgill(at)yahoo(dot)com

Eva Maria Hamilton said...

Obstacles... oh dear, I have those :)

Thanks for sharing yours with us Lindi!

Right now I am at a place in my wip where I don't know if I should move forward and continue writing to the end or add in more scenes along the way to where I am now. Unfortunately there is no magic answer and I am rereading the whole wip to figure out what should be done.

One thing I just found that helps me is writing how many words I want to get written each day on a calendar and checking it off everyday. It's keeping me accountable and it's showing me exactly when I can expect to have the wip completed by.

Have a nice weekend!

Dianna Shuford said...

Hey, Lindi!

I read your post early this morning, but didn't have time to respond then. One work day and nap later, and here I am. TGIF.

Boy can I relate to being a procrastinator and lacking self-discipline! You've got company there. I struggle constantly with overcoming those two things as well. That's especially hard when you're tired from a long day a work.

Another obstacle I have is my follow through. I get my draft done, then it's a struggle to keep myself working on revisions. Lax of me, I know, and I'm working on climbing over that obstacle too.

Dianna Shuford said...

Christy...what will P be?

Procrastinate???
Pursue Your dream???
Passive voice no-nos???

I'm on pins and needles here. LOL.

Christy LaShea said...

Hi Lorna, Thanks for stopping by! I agree, it's difficult to just write. I want to stop and fix, make it better, go over the same thing over and over. I think it may be a little fear in there for me too. Thanks for sharing and good luck with your writing!

Hi Ciara! Good to see you here and thanks so much for following the blog. You've got some great things happening with your YA, I believe! come back and share.

Hi Edwina! Glad you stopped by, good luck!

Great advice Eva Maria! I may try that. I also need to get busy writing so we can have another challenge here.

Dianna, LOL, I don't know what tomorrow will bring. With this storm passing over, the post may be Pine Needles Falling all around, oh my!

We will announce our winner of Her Best Catch on Monday, April 18th!

Lindi said...

Lorna,
I'm just the opposite. I write the rough draft pretty quickly but it's a mess! Lots and lots of dialogue! Can you say layering? But I have really come to like the revision process.
Sounds like nows the time to start for you to finish and write The End!
Let us hear back from you when you do.

Lindi said...

Ciara! Thanks for coming by and being a follower of Christy's blog.
See you tomorrow.

Lindi said...

Thanks Edwina--Then you can read it while you drink your Starbucks! I'm mailing your card Monday.

Lindi said...

Eva Maria--Latest published author! I have stopped part way through before and reread what i wrote. It helps give directions sometimes.
And that's a great accountability tool with the word count. Thanks for sharing.

Lindi said...

Dianna,
I think we are like two peas in a pod. (Excuse the cliche!) Now I just have to get you to LOVE revising. I think it just kind of evolved for me. I have 2 manuscripts I didn't really revise at all. They are in a file never to be seen again.

Lindi said...

Oh, and Eva Maria may be the most recent published author, but Ciara recently signed a contract as well! Way to go ladies!
I'm thrilled for both of you!

Christy LaShea said...

Congratulations Ciara & Eva Maria! Would love to have you both on the blog to talk about what it's like to get the call!

Eva Maria Hamilton said...

Congratulations Ciara!!

Eva Maria Hamilton said...

Christy, I can't wait for your next challenge, they're great!

And any time you want me as a guest blogger just ask :)

Eva Maria Hamilton said...

Lindi, you're welcome. I hope if you try the calendar thing it works for you too :)

Hope everyone has a good writing weekend!

Jackie S. said...

Lindi, your book sounds sooo good; would love to read it. Please enter me. Small town in GA.....hmmmm.....bet it's not as small as mine in GA. LOL Loved learning more about you on this blog.
jackie.smithATdishmailDOTnet

Lindi said...

Jackie-Nice to 'see' another Ga gal here. I actually live in Ball Ground. Northwest of the city. We love it there!

doreen said...

I am still trying to figure out my "O" word. I really enjoyed your choice. I also work full time and write full time. Lately it has been getting to me but I am getting a lot out of this challenge. I can write something every day:)

Empty Nest Insider said...

Nice to meet you, and I enjoyed your story! It's amazing how many things you're able to accomplish. I look forward to following you. Julie

Lindi said...

Doreen--O is a bit of a tough letter! The word obstacle came to me first-you know, the pessimist part likes to rear it's ugly head first-but then the overcoming countered back in a mighty fight!

Lindi said...

Julie--my hubby and I are empty nesters as well! Thanks for following.

SueH said...

Arrived here, via the 'surprise me' button on the A-Z challenge!

Well - I can relate to so much of this post! Will be following you - look forward to reading the rest of your A-Z posts!

SueH I refuse to go quietly!

Missy Tippens said...

I read this the other day but just realized I never commented! I guess I got distracted (need to overcome that obstacle!!). :)

Great post, Lindi!!

Finalist!

I've always enjoyed reading historical novels. As a child I actually imagined living in the mid 1800s. My grandmother fed my imaginatio...