Orrin Jason Bradford's Blog, page 19

Track Your Word Count to Enhance Your Creative Writing

"Write four pages per day to finish four novels per year and get to twenty books in five years. As I said before, indie publishers must write more." Dean Wesley Smith

Slow & Steady Wins the Race

Even though I've been a professional writer for over twenty-five years (professional meaning earning money selling my words), I view myself on a pretty steep learning curve as an indie author especially when it come to my fiction creative writing.  So, besides writing a lot, I read a lot of what other successful indie authors find works for them. I then endeavor to integrate the most important points that resonate with me and how I choose to live my life.  For example, word count. Most writers know that if you're not writing new words on a regular basis, you're going out of business. Words are important, and so are our word count.

For example, while participating in my first NaNoWriMo contest, I read Rachel Aaron's excellent article:  How I Went From Writing 2,000 Words a Day to 10,000 Words a Day. One of my primary takeaways from it was the value of tracking my writing so I could better evaluate my progress as well as better determine when I'm most productive.  So, I created my Writing Tracker — a simple Excel file that has made the tracking process easy and fun.  If you'd like to give it a try, feel free to download it here: Writing Tracker Template. It's a simple way to keep track of your word count which I've found empowers creative writing.

One of my writing buddies, Joe D'Agnese then recommended Dean Wesley Smith's excellent blog series, Think Like a Publisher which is where I found this quote that spoke directly to the importance of tracking our word count for our creative writing endeavors:

"Write four pages per day to finish four novels per year and get to twenty books in five years.  As I said before, indie publishers must write more."

And that also made a lot of sense to me.  I figured I could write four pages a day which equals about 1,000 words per day.  I had already realized from tracking my writing for a couple weeks that I do better when I write every day.  I've found if I don't write one day, it's too easy for me to miss the next day, then the next. Before I know it, four or more days have gone by without any new words having been written.

My Newest Writing Game

So, on December 21st (I know because I checked my Writing Tracker) I created my newest writing game to empower me in my creative writing. The primary object of the game is to write every day for the next 30 days.  (After 30 days, I'll re-evaluate how it's going and make whatever adjustments I see fit).  The rules are simple:

For it to count, I have to write at least 250 words on my current project — Book 2 of the Zak Bates Eco-Adventure Series. (Dominion Over All is Book 1). If I finish the rough draft of that before the 30 days are up, I'll go on to writing something else.
My target goal is to write at least 1,000 words a day and for sure to average at least that many words over the 30 days.

As of this blog post, I just finished my 13th day and have written 15,870 words which gives me a 1,220 words/day average. At this pace, if I continue averaging at least 4 pages per day, at the end of the year I'll have written 1,460 pages of new material. That could easily be four or more new books.  Of course, quantity isn't all there is to writing. There's still the process of revising and polishing to create quality writing as well, but it's hard to revise something until it's first been written in rough draft form. Writing the rough draft is the critical step to moving your creative writing forward.

What Else I've Learned from the Game

Here are some other things I'm learning or relearning from this game:

"Gamemanship" can be fun and can enhance the creative writing experience.
There is definitely a place for a 'slow and steady wins the race' approach even though, given my last name of Swift, I often bring more of the quick energy of a hare to my life.
By working on the same story every day, I tend to stay more involved in the story and with the characters, so there's not the need for as much backtracking.
The characters also take on more of a life of their own and begin creating fun and interesting twists to the story.
I've also found that it helps to keep the game rules simple, flexible and true to the primary intention for which I've created the game. For example, the primary intention of this game was to encourage and empower me to write more, and the 'rules' have done that.  Setting a fairly low count of 250 words that allows me to count the day gets me writing. While I've fallen short of the 1,000 word target on a few days, so far I've never not met the 250 count. Once I begin tickling the keys, I tend to keep writing well beyond the 250 words.

So, what will your writing game be for the year? How can you encourage yourself to write more, better and with more passion and fun? Remember, you can often increase your word count by simply beginning to count your words.

Manifesto #17: Focus Your Writing with Purpose Projects & a Heart List

NOTE: Oops. Not sure how it happened but this part of the Manifesto was scheduled to be posted out of order, but it's simply too juicy a one to not include, so here it is. Better late than never.)

Elsewhere in the Manifesto I mentioned creating a pet writing Purpose Project that I entitled Project Purpose:

Project Purpose: to write and publish articles about people whose lives are dedicated to a bold and inspiring purpose or vision.

I'd like to elaborate on this a bit more as a super writing technique that will help you focus your writing efforts that might just have unexpected positive results.  I have found over the years that many people have a lot of 'charge' or negative feelings about the word, project.  I know when the term first came to me I immediately remembered back to my fifth grade "science project."  I'd told my teacher that my project would be to build a working model of a volcano.  I'd seen one on some science show and knew it was possible.

Unfortunately, I failed to plan properly, or keep the project in existence until the night before I was due to pass it in. That's when I reluctantly shared the project with my mom. Needless to say she was none too pleased, but being the every faithful parent, she and I stayed up most of the night building this paper mache volcano.

So, I have my own history around projects.  Here's the thing to remember: a Purpose Project is unlike any other project you've ever taken on.  You see, a Purpose Project is one of the primary ways you get to be, be known, and to express our life purpose into the world.  It's also a great way to tap into the wellspring of passion that's often lying just under the surface of your consciousness.

So, for example, let's just pretend that a part of your life purpose statement is: "A life on purpose is an inspiring life embracing the wonders of nature in all its beauty…"  Can you see that creating a writing project where you explore, examine, and share "the wonders of nature in all its beauty" could be a tremendous way to focus your writing efforts?

Does that mean you can never write about anything else? Of course not.  What it does mean is that you'll want to have a fair number of environmental types magazines on your "Heart List."

Whoa! What's a Heart List?

It's another great tool for focusing your writing.  You see there's some good news and bad news when it comes to the magazine marketplace.  In fact, the good news and bad news is compounded when you include online magazines and other forms of writing on the web.  The good news is that this is a huge marketplace, with thousands of different publications.

And you've probably guessed the bad news:  The magazine marketplace is huge with thousands of different publications.  It's so huge that many aspiring writers become frozen in place, like a rabbit caught in the high beams of an automobile.

That's where a Heart List comes in very handy. It's a list of magazines where you'd love to see your articles and byline appear.

The point I'm making here is that the combination of a well designed pet writing Purpose Project and a well thought out Heart List will help inspire you into some focused and productive writing.

Your Turn

What pet writing Purpose Project might you create that would empower you in your writing? How about your heart list? What magazines would you want to see your articles in?

Kindle Publishing Sure – Just Don't forget CreateSpace

I was talking to my friend and writing colleague the other day, Joe d'Agnese, about the future of publishing — more specifically our futures as indie writers and publishers. Sure, we're fans of Kindle e-publishing. But, during the conversation Joe mentioned he'd not yet tackled the print-on-demand learning curve of CreateSpace. It's understandable. After all, publishing to Kindle is so easy, especially for those of us who use Scrivener software which both Joe and I do.

Since I have published a number of books and special reports via CreateSpace's print-on-demand approach in the past couple of years, I encouraged him to jump in and give it a try. Why?  Well, my number one reason is that it greatly expands the potential market for your book. After all, despite the rapid growth of e-books, there are still a lot — as in millions, maybe even billions — of people who still prefer holding an actual printed book in their hands.  And yes, there are still a few people who don't own a Kindle (or Kindle app). (Of course, that will change significantly after Dec. 25, when millions of new Kindles will be received as gifts). And the print-on-demand approach won't break the bank of a indie publisher.

After the conversation, during which I offered to help my friend with the not-so-steep learning curve of CreateSpace.com, I had the thought, "Wow, wouldn't it be great to create a screencast on how to get started with CreateSpace?"  In fact, it felt like such a great idea that I was surprised that CreateSpace didn't already have one.

(Side Note:  I've recently purchased ScreenFlow screencasting software to use in producing the online version of From Spark to Flame. I figured this CreateSpace tutorial might be a good way to get more familiar with the new software. However, I also thought it could be more labor intensive and might actually slow down the Spark to Flame project)

Then I had another idea — what turned out to be a brilliant one. Yes, even I have such ideas once in a while.  I wondered if someone else might not have already thought to create a Create Space tutorial, so I went searching for one…and presto, in no time I'd found one, and much to my surprise, I knew the person who'd created it.

That person is Shelley Hitz of Self-Publishing-Coach.com. In fact, I have an email in my inbox from Shelley on one of her courses, "Get Your Facebook Page Done" that I'm taking. How cool is that.

So, I don't need to create something that Shelley has already done such a great job doing.  So, I dedicate today's blog post to Joe and to Shelley.  Who knows, maybe this will be a cyber-introduction that will pay off in unexpected dividends.

For sure, if you're like my friend, Joe, and haven't yet started publishing your books in a POD (print-on-demand) edition, this should eliminate the 'learning curve' obstacle.  Sure, publish on Kindle, maybe place some of your work on Kindle Select. Put them on the Barnes & Noble Nook, and Apple's iBookstore.  Just don't forget to offer a print book at the same time, and as Shelley points out, one of the best way to offer printed books is through CreateSpace's print-on-demand publishing. So, repeat after me. "I love CreateSpace." Well, you will after you start using it. By the way, CreateSpace has great customer service as well. Enjoy.

Manifesto #16: The Writers Taffy Machine

Growing up, one of my favorite places to spend summer vacation was along the coast of North Carolina at Atlantic Beach, and one of my fondest memories is of watching the automatic taffy-pulling machine. Into one end of this magical machine the owner would pour the ingredients for making taffy that, of course, included a lot of sugar. He would then turn the machine on and after a few minutes, it would begin churning out multi-colored strands of taffy, ready to be boxed and sold to a line of salivating children, including me.

Because of that cherished memory, I now have upon my office wall what I call my Writer's Taffy Machine. At one end I pour in the sweet blend of ideas and passion, while the other end churns out checks from magazine publishers, which is for me evidence that my writing is also making a difference in the world.

Now, as we explore the inner workings of the Writers Taffy Machine ask yourself a couple of questions:

•    Am I interested in building my own taffy machine?

•    Will I do the work to maintain my machine and have it churn out moneymaking magazine articles?

Blueprint for Building Your Taffy Machine

Passion Filled Ideas

Every article starts with an idea. One of the question writers hear most from aspiring writers is, "Where do you get your ideas?" One of the most talented and prolific writers I've ever met, Harlan Ellison, would often facetiously answer such a question by replying, "Why, I buy them from a man in Poughkeepsie. Ten ideas for ten bucks."

But even before asking the "where" question, I suggest looking more deeply at some "why" questions. Why are you writing?  Even more important, why are you here?  (Yep, getting back to the ol' "what is your life purpose" question.)

You see, while one purpose for writing is to make money, I'm going to suggest it's simply not enough.  After all, there are far easier ways to make money, and a lot more of it than most people ever make writing.  Now, I'm not saying you can't make a good living as a freelance writer.  I am saying that spending some time to become clear what your purpose is for writing and how it ties in with your greater life purpose will make all the difference in your writing, and in your life. In fact, a clear sense of purpose will act like a magnet that will attract to you the perfect ideas to develop into money making magazine articles.

Ready to get started? Now, to explore the entire Writer's Taffy Machine is beyond the scope of the Manifesto. Besides, it's already richly outlined in the From Spark to Flame book. But we can begin the process by having you examine how you can use the flint and metal of passion and ideas to ignite your sparks and get you on your way to writing powerful and entertaining magazine articles that sell.

Call to Action Assignment

Take a few moments now and answer these questions for yourself. Then, get a notebook or journal to use in this process and make your first entry a written statement of what you intend to accomplish from your writing. Be as specific as possible. If you're unsure whether or not you're ready to commit to doing the work, that's fair. Write that down.

This is just a starting point, and you can always revise your intentions later. I encourage you to stretch beyond what you think you can accomplish. Spending some time reflecting on this and then writing down what comes to you can be some of the most fruitful writing you'll do.

It's also the first step to becoming a Visionary Writer.

Your Turn

Yep, I'm going to continue to ask you what you're getting from this. I guess it's the life coach in me. So, what are you gleaning from the Bloginar? What questions do you have? Does the Writers Taffy Machine make sense to you?

Manifesto #15: Magic of the Mail

I've taught the "From Spark to Flame" writing approach (also known as the Writers Taffy Machine) in a workshop setting to hundreds of aspiring writers through the years.  At this point, if we were in one of those workshops, I would ask you to close your eyes for a brief guided visualization.  I know that can be kind of hard in a Bloginar setting, but let's see what we can do to come close to duplicating the experience.  So read on and allow yourself to imagine the following:

Imagine you've already learned everything possible about writing for magazines, and you've applied the principles and followed the advice for the past six months.  Over this half-year, you've become a "mail-watcher," a sure sign you're heading down the path of being a writer. The arrival of the mail has become a cherished moment, one filled with anticipation, but usually followed by disappointment.

Today, you take the mail from your box and rummage through the mound of circulars and bills, looking for that special envelope. But today is different from all of those other days because at the bottom of the pile is a letter you don't recognize. You stare at it for a moment, unsure whether or not you're seeing things or if that envelope you've been waiting for is really in your hands.  Finally, with fingers trembling, you tear it open.

Take a few moments to imagine opening your mail and finding that special envelope addressed to you from one of the magazines you've contacted over the past six months.

Then Click Here to see what's inside.

In the 25-plus years I've been writing and getting paid for my work, the thrill of receiving a check hasn't diminished. Does that mean I write only for the money? Hardly! You'll find that there are many, much easier ways to make a living—like practicing veterinary medicine, my first profession for more than fifteen years. I sold my practice to pursue my second dream career as a writer, speaker, and personal coach.

I know of few occupations that are more fulfilling, satisfying, or fun than being a published writer. But I'm going to encourage you to become more than just a writer, more than just a freelance journalist. I'm going to encourage you to become a Visionary Writer On Purpose.

Why not use your gift of writing as a way to express your purpose in life, and in the process, write articles that contribute to and make a difference for others? So, if you'd like to experience the thrill of that first check, knowing that it represents a difference being made in the world, read on as we explore the magical profession, hobby, and pastime of being a Visionary Writer On Purpose.

Next time we'll explore the Writers Taffy Machine.

Now, it's your turn.  What did you glean from the Magic of the Mail exercise?  Share your questions and comments.

Manifesto #14: One Way to Make a Difference & $ with Your Writing

A fair amount of this manifesto has been taken from the book and process entitled From Spark to Flame: Fanning Your Passion & Ideas into Money-making Magazine Articles that Make a Difference. (How's that for a subtitle?)

So, if you're impatient and want to 'jump ahead' or like the feel of a real book in your hands, you can pick up a copy.  But I would still encourage you to subscribe to this site either through RSS Feed or via email because I'll be adding additional information including real life examples.  I'll also be available to answer questions you post in the comment section.

So, as you can see from the subtitle above, the "one way to make a difference and $ with your writing" is to:

Write for Magazines

Now, let me be clear, I'm saying it's one way.  I'm not saying it's the only way…not by a long shot.  I'm also not claiming it's necessarily the best way, at least not for everyone.  I do know from personal experience it is one viable, proven way to make a difference with your writing while also making some money — good money.  Will you become rich and famous doing it?  I don't know.  I won't make that claim.  If rich and famous are your primary goals…well, honestly, I suspect there are many other easier ways to accomplish those goals than writing.

But if you know in your heart that you just 'have to write', it's one of the primary ways you yearn to express yourself, then I encourage you to consider this approach:

Start by writing for magazines.

So, let me answer one question even as you may be asking it in your head?  Why write for magazines?

I'm going to give you a few of my own personal reasons and also invite you to post some additional ones that come to mind. After all, I'm still a life coach and helping you to uncover your own reasons for writing is part of this first assignment.

Let me make one last point before giving you my list of reasons.  When you read "write for magazines" realize that I'm talking about BOTH print magazines and online publications, which expands an already large market to a huge and growing market.

So, here's why I highly recommend you fan your passion and ideas into money-making magazine articles that make a difference.  Well, really several of the reasons to write for magazines can be found right there in the subtitle including:

1. There are many magazines that will pay and pay well for your 'passion-filled' ideas and expertise,

2. Writing those articles is a great way to make a difference.

3. It's also a good way to 'earn as you learn'.  Think about it.  It's take far less time to research and write a saleable article that might typically run 1500 – 2000 words than it take to write a 200 to 300 page book.

4. It can also be a great way to end up writing a book. You may find that over time a series of the article you've written on a related topic can be reshaped into a book, as happened with my first book, Coaching To Win: Building Your Business Through Building Your Team. Most of that book first appeared as articles I wrote for a professional trade magazine and later became the chapters in the book.

5. One last one. Writing for magazines offer a lot of flexibility.  Do you want to start by just having your writing be a hobby that pays.  That's cool. You can do that.  Or it could be a part time pastime that supplements your other work, and of course, both of these starting points could grow into a full time writing career.

Your Turn

Okay, it's your turn. Post your questions under the comment section. Also add to the list of reasons you might choose to write for magazines. Also post any concerns you have about writing for magazines.

Manifesto #13: Tapping Into Your Passion

What stirs your passion? The question isn't as silly as you may think. Many people have lost touch with their passion, the inner spark that ignites them into inspired action. The best they can muster is a mild curiosity or a passing interest.

The following exercise will help you get in touch with your passion and help determine what's really important to you. I recommend that you take out your notebook and find a nice quiet place to go through this exercise. Find a place where you can be sure you won't be disturbed during the short time the exercise will take. Here's the set up:

The Passion Police are on the way to your home. In just a few minutes, they'll knock on your door. Their mission is to take away everything you're passionate about. Your only hope is to write down those things in life that are really important to you. If it's not written down, the Passion Police will take it away, never to be in your world again.

You must be as precise as possible about what you write. For instance, if relationships are important to you, write down which relationships are important. If you're passionate about nature, write down the specific aspects of nature that matter the most to you. If you love animals, which ones do you love most? Describe the specific details of your passion. What do you want to have in your world after the Passion Police leave? It must be written down or, after they've left, it won't exist in your world.

They're almost at your door. You now have five minutes to record in your notebook everything that you're passionate about. Check your watch and start writing. Remember—five minutes of writing as much and as fast and as precisely as you can. BEGIN!

 

How did you do?

It's likely that as you look over your list you'll realized you missed some important things that you want in your world. Okay, take one minute and add those to your list. The passion police were a little slow today. Once you've made those additions, look over the list again. While you may not have listed everything you're passionate about, it's a great place to start getting ideas you could write about.

Purposefully Playing with Your Writing

Is it really possible to make a living doing something you love and have a lot of fun in the process?  YES –  if you set your intention to purposefully play with the ways you express your life purpose.  The secret to purposeful play is to not get overly attached to the results you're out to produce.  While it may sound paradoxical, it's possible to be committed to your writing career while at the same time not taking it too seriously.  When you stay committed and unattached, you'll probably find you're much more effective at producing results. Now that's a paradox worth grappling with.

Call to Action Assignment

Continue to add to your Passion List.  Add things that mean a lot to you as well as things that you find interesting or that you're curious about.  Then, from that list, make a top 10 list of what you're most passionate about.  Keep this list visible where you write.

Manifesto #12: Igniting Passion through Purpose

Why so much emphasis on passion? There are several reasons. Writing about subjects that interest you and ignite your passion is a whole lot more fun, and the articles are easier to write. Besides, the final product is likely to be much better.

Several years ago I discovered that I'm passionate about writing profiles, interviews, and other kinds of articles about people who are committed to making a difference in the world. I had also determined by that time that the whole subject of purpose was part of my life purpose, so in an effort to bring more purpose and meaning to my writing career, I created Project Purpose:

To write and publish articles about people and institutions whose lives and missions are dedicated to a bold and inspired purpose or vision.

I started to focus my efforts on getting assignments that would fit Project Purpose.  About three months after creating the project, I received my first official Project Purpose assignment to write a profile of Bo Lozoff of The Human Kindness Foundation in Carrboro, North Carolina. The assignment came from New Age Journal  (since re-named Body and Soul). At the time, it was the largest assignment I'd received, both in the prestige of the magazine and the size of the paycheck. In fact, the check was close to double what I had so far received for any other single article.

Perhaps the most interesting phenomenon was that receiving the payment was the proverbial icing on the cake. I loved doing the research for the article, which involved traveling to Carborro to interview Bo, his wife, Sita, and other people whose lives had been touched by this incredible couple.

The writing was a joy, both challenging and fun. Even the revision process was virtually painless because I was doing something close to my heart. Then the check arrived— the icing on an already delectable dessert, and I knew I had hit upon something really important.  As Greg Braendel of Career Dreams, Inc. and another Project Purpose profile subject says, "Passion always sells, obsession never does."

The other reason I encourage aspiring writers to tap into their passions is because the profession of freelance writing is a tough one. There's a lot of competition. Busy, often over-worked editors are not always as nice as they could be. And the pay . . . well, there are easier ways to make money, as I've said. I've seen and talked to too many freelancers, both part-timers and those doing it for a living, who have become jaded about their work. In many cases, that happens because they sell out by writing too many articles that they find boring and uninteresting just to pay the rent. They find subjects they can write about that, even though uninspiring, still bring in the bacon. But years of writing just for the money can desiccate the staunchest soul. Don't let it happen to you.

Your Turn

What are you passionate about that you feel others would be interested in reading about as well?  Who knows, answering that question might be just the impetus you need to start you on your way to an article that makes a difference.

Let me hear from you.

Manifesto #11: The Connection of Purpose to Passion and Play

Here's the really cool thing about finally knowing your life purpose with crystal clarity:

When you're clear what your true purpose is in life, you're able to use that purpose to tap into a wellspring of passionate energy that then propels your forward in all the different ways you choose to express your purpose, including your writing.

You may be thinking at this point,  "But can't I get published writing about something I am not passionate about and doesn't have anything to do with my purpose in life?"

The answer, of course, is yes. I've done it, and the stories were published. In fact, those experiences enabled me to understand the importance of identifying and writing about topics that I am passionate about. And what I discovered is that I want to write— as often as possible— about topics that fuel my passions.

The hard lesson I learned about passion came fairly early in my freelance career. I had sold my veterinary practice and was striving to become stable and profitable as a full-time freelance writer specializing in writing magazine articles. At the time I lived in Greensboro, North Carolina, which was also the home of a magazine publisher of an in-flight magazine. Because I lived close by, I mustered up enough nerve to visit the editor, a nice woman named Maggie. This was my first face-to-face meeting with a magazine editor, and I was nervous as a groom standing at the altar.

Maggie must have picked up on this and made it a point to be gentle and cordial, so I survived the meeting without any undo embarrassment. After that, I started sending her ideas for possible articles. After sending four or five different ideas, I received a call from Maggie, offering me an assignment. She told me that she liked my writing style but that none of the ideas quite hit the mark. She did, however, need a piece on the trend of business suites. I didn't know much, nor did I care much, about business suites, but I figured an assignment was an assignment. After all, I didn't have a long line of other assignments. I could use the money, which was good, and the clip, which was even better. (A clip is a copy of a published article you've written. You include copies of your clips in future queries to other magazines to show editors that you can, indeed, write well enough to be published.)

I took the assignment. I worked hard on it, interviewed a lot of suite experts, and turned in what I thought was a credible article. Before too long, I received a check in the mail and a new assignment.

This one was on office technology. I love gadgets, so the subject was fairly interesting. I wrote it, received the check, and a new assignment. This went on for four or five different articles, each one business related, and each one less and less interesting. The worst one I remember was about office furniture. Even though I lived within thirty minutes of High Point, North Carolina, the furniture capital of the world, I had no passion for the subject. But I took the assignment anyway and churned out another article.

What I didn't realize at the time was that my lack of interest about the subjects was having a grave effect on the quality of my work. In short, the articles I submitted were poorly written. I hadn't bothered to look at the published articles, or I would have seen that they were being heavily edited by one of the magazine editors prior to publication. I was too busy for such nonsense, not to mention that by the time I finished the articles, I was bored to tears with whatever the subject had been.

After finishing the last assignment, several weeks went by without a word from Maggie. True, I hated working on those articles, but I needed the money. I finally called her and in my most pleasant, up-beat voice said, "Hi, Maggie, I'm calling for my next assignment. What do you have?"

There was a long pause on the other end of the line before Maggie replied, "Well, frankly, Brad, there won't be any other assignments." She then went on to describe in some detail how far short my articles had fallen. She told me that she'd kept hoping I would learn from their editing efforts what they were looking for, but since I hadn't shown any inclination in that direction, she felt it would be unwise for the relationship to continue.

I was devastated, although deep inside, I wasn't surprised. Somehow I knew I wasn't putting forth my best effort, just the best I could muster for topics that sparked no passion in me. It was one of the most important lessons I learned in those early days.

Do I still take assignments that I am less than passionate about? Yes, once in a while, but not without knowing the dangerous ground on which I'm treading. In those cases, I make it a point to find something about the article that does interest me, something about which I can generate a bit of enthusiasm. And I strive to keep such assignments to a minimum by always having a lot of great passionate ideas circulating to many different magazines.

Your Turn

As we pull around to the home stretch in Part 2 of the Manifesto, I'd really enjoy and appreciate hearing from those who are following along.  What are you gleaning from the Manifesto?  What questions do you have? What else would you really like to see explored in more depth?  Post your comments below.

Manifesto #10:Writing on Purpose with Passion and Play

By this time, you may be asking what this life purpose stuff have to do with writing, even Visionary Writing.  My response is EVERYTHING, because without a clarity of purpose, your writing will be missing the passion that turns so-so writing into the type of writing editors are willing to pay good money for. And let's face it, making a living as a writer isn't always that easy.  In fact, most professional freelancers would probably say it's NEVER that easy. Without a clear sense of purpose, it's too easy to get discouraged and end up throwing in the towel. But the clearer you are that your writing is an expression of your true purpose for being on planet earth, the more unstoppable you become.

For example, while I still spend a lot of my time writing, I also spend time as the founder of Life On Purpose Institute, as a life purpose coach, as a husband and a dad.  But none of these activities is my life purpose.  My life purpose, the context that gives shape and form to each of these activities is:

 To live an inspired and inspiring life of purposeful, passionate and playful service, a life of mindful abundance balanced with simplicity, and spiritual serenity.

Living a life of service, simplicity, and spiritual serenity becomes the vessel into which I pour my life. The result is that not only do I experience such a life, but my actions become an expression of my life purpose.  Before moving on from the Purposeful Path, there is one other point that's too important not to touch on, and that's the relationship between purpose, passion, and play.

But there's another powerful force that can shape our lives especially when we don't know our true purpose.  I refer to this life shaper as the Inherited Purpose.  Unlike the true purpose which is based in Universal Love, the Inherited Purpose is based in fear and lack and can lead to a lot of struggling to survive.  For example, my Inherited Purpose that began to be formed when I was about seven when my dad died unexpectedly of a heart attack is:

I have to be smart and know all the answers (or pretend that I do), and I have to work really hard to get ahead so I won't be poor and so people won't leave me.

And you may recognize this as we move into our next part of the Bloginar.

Pondering Question:  What might your Inherited Purpose be and how does it shape your life?

I'd love to hear your comments below.