Taking as my inspiration All I Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten here are 6 things I learned in school that still work today – especially for writers!
These are not in any particular order:
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Do Your Homework: Oh, boy! Remember the times we didn’t do our homework and the teacher called on us and we had to come up with some excuse? Yikes! Luckily those were few and far between for me. I was an A-student after all. Heh. But this basic tenet applies today. If you’re a writer working on your book – do your research first, it’s as simple as that. No excuses.
Use the library: I don’t know a single writer who doesn’t love libraries! Don’t you love that library smell? It’s different than a book store. The library smell is rich with old books. Books that have been read and re-read over time and loved by many. It’s a communal experience and yet every single person has their own special connection. I love librarians too. My local library employs several Scottish and English lady librarians. I adore them. They always ask me how my work is going.
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Hold your hand up if you have something to say: There are always going to be rude people out there. This especially applies to social media/networking etiquette, where some people love to hide behind anonymous online names. Most of us have by now learned the rules of “getting along” on social networking sites. Sometimes people can be rude to us and to others. The question is – what do you do when someone is being abusive? Well, you can ask them to stop. You can block them. You can also report them if they’re spewing racist or sexist garbage. To quote my favourite TV show of all time – Seinfeld – “You know we’re living in a society!” .
Sharing means caring: Share your knowledge. Share what you’ve learned. Share your humour and your good sense. Join a writing group. Attend conferences (even if they are just local ones). Set up a book club. Join online groups on facebook. Organize a group blog. You may not think that others will benefit or even care, but I guarantee you that there is at least one person who does. One aspiring writer or one reader who will appreciate what you have to offer. And where there is one, there are others.
Make time for recess: Ah, yes. This is something that as writers, we sometimes forget to do. Many writers have “day jobs” and/or small children at home or lots of other things that need getting done, so when we write, we usually get really engrossed in what we’re doing. But you have to remember to take a break. Go for a walk. Get a coffee or a cup of tea and relax and recharge. Yes, you need to get that draft done, but a 30-minute walk, or a short nap, or watching the latest episode of The Big Bang Theory doesn’t mean you’ll miss your deadline. Take a break and take a breath.
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Have a good breakfast: Some people are not morning people. Some people don’t like to eat first thing in the morning. But it’s important to eat something within two hours of getting up. Remember when you were a kid and you skipped breakfast? You didn’t function very well in class did you? It’s always good to start the day with lots of protein and some good carbs. Guess what? Your brain needs power food to write. So think of your brain and feed it something good every morning.
And don’t forget to pack a lunch! 🙂
What are some things you learned in school that you still practice today?
I’m positive that Lachesis authors were all great students! Their books sure are wonderful. Until next time – happy writing.
Joanna D’Angelo is Editor in Chief at Lachesis Publishing Inc. She loves being helpful, Cinnamon Dolce Lattes, and a good story.
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