Where fear and procrastination come to die: Word Sparks is LIVE

This is a call to writers. And people afraid to call themselves writers. And soon-to-be-writers.

I see you tapping your pen on your temple. I know you’re hedging, holding your words in because you think they aren’t just right. I can smell anxiety ten miles away and you, my friend, reek.

So here’s the plan:

I’ve crafted some sexy writing prompts that get delivered to your inbox five days a week. Phrases. Images. Videos even. Shit to spark your pen and keep you productive.

You take those, which I aptly named Word Sparks, and freewrite, journal or post on your blog. Whatever makes you happy – and writing.

Together, we shall kick the shit out of the internal editor. Capiche?

Why writing prompts?

Responsibilities make finding time to write difficult. They can create conflicts between ‘must do’ and ‘want to.’

Having too many responsibilities with zero time to pursue your dreams is a problem.

It’s also an excuse.

Don’t tell me you don’t have time to write because I don’t want to tell you you’re wrong.

Too often, we let fear, confusion and stress fill our days. Your dream of writing is easier to avoid if you over-schedule yourself. I’m not implying you have it easy (day job or otherwise) or that you should ignore your family.

I’m asking you to devote a little time to yourself every day. To exercise your brain and your creativity.

The 15 minutes you use to scan Netflix.

Your lunch break.

The kids’ nap time.

What about 30 minutes before bed?

The more you write, the better you become. Time spent writing fuels you. Want proof? Read what Malcolm Gladwell says about the 10,000-hour rule.

But Becky, who are you to prompt my writing?

My sketchy math skills say I’ve put in 29,936 hours on this writing and editing gig. It’s a conservative estimate that doesn’t account for weekends (which I almost always work) or the three years I was a freelance writer before launching this place.

I know your struggles. I can relate on a deep level. I was the writer who did everything BUT write for many years. Until I figured out how to get past that shit and… Write. My. Ass. Off.

I can coach, coax, edit, inspire and cheer you on.

But at the end of the day, you are responsible for your success.

You have to show up.

Too often, we humans have mad dreams and no direction. We sit around waiting for someone else to tell us what to do in order to get what we want. Do you see the insanity in that? (Click to tweet.)

Word Sparks, if nothing else, will keep the act of writing on your mind, taking up active space in your brain on a regular basis, jostling you to get shit on the page. As a writing coach, this is my unabashed goal.

Count on encouragement (applause or guttural chants). Signup for Word Sparks writing prompts so I can harass you and your inbox five days a week. Bonus: This is actually a step in the direction you, as a writer, want to take. Imagine?

You’re already going after goals.

***

P.S. You know we have an awesome cell phone app available, right? Hop onto Google Play for your Droid or the App Store for iPhone and search for “Write Raw.” And don’t forget to leave an app review.

P.P.S. The entire app image collection also lives on Pinterest. (We add more as they are released.)